Dota 2 EWC Group Stage Day 3: Team Spirit and BetBoom Team advance to the Playoffs

Team Spirit and BetBoom Team dropped just one game apiece during the Group Stage en route to the Playoffs.

The action in the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025's Dota 2 competition heated up on the third day of its Group Stage as the first batch of Playoff-qualified teams were confirmed. 

Two Eastern European powerhouses, Team Spirit and BetBoom Team, secured a slot in the Playoffs after topping Group A and Group B, respectively, guaranteeing them a Top 8 placement in the tournament. 

The third day also confirmed the Elimination Phase lineup from the two groups. Group A’s Talon Esports and Xtreme Gaming as well as Group B’s Team Falcons and Execration are set to participate in the first round of the Elimination Phase, where they will battle for their tournament lives. 

Meanwhile, second-placed teams Natus Vincere (NAVI) of Group A and Gaimin Gladiators of Group B are sorted into the second round of the Elimination Phase, where they will play against the first round winners.

Dota 2 EWC Group Stage Day 2 Recap

Group A

Talon Esports 1-1 Xtreme Gaming

The first map was a strong showing from Xtreme Gaming. Despite losing the laning stage to Talon, the Chinese representatives managed to turn the tables entering the mid game and crushed Talon with a 19-5 kill score. However, Talon fought back hard on the second map, claiming a solid victory in 47 minutes.

Team Spirit 2-0 NAVI

In this all-Eastern European battle, Spirit swiftly took down the young rising talent in NAVI. The two-time world champions closed the first game in just 26 minutes with a 31-9 kill score. Spirit maintained their smooth performance on the second map, claiming a 24-5 kill score, giving their opponents no window to recover. This 2-0 victory cements Spirit in the top seed position of Group A.

Group B

Team Falcons 1-1 Gaimin Gladiators

A spicy series took place between the two European juggernauts, with tipping wars across the games. Falcons had outplayed Gaimin Gladiators’ Doom lineup on the first map, with skiter’s Sven standing out on an 11/0/10 KDA. But the Gladiators took their revenge in the second game, crushing Falcons with a 34-9 kill score. 

BetBoom Team 2-0 Execration

Anyone would expect BetBoom Team to easily sweep the Southeast Asian underdogs, however, they did so in an intimidating close contest. Both teams started out the first game even, and the net worth graph regularly swung back and forth. But BetBoom proved better during the late game, winning at the 48 minute mark. 

The second map showed a strong showing by Execration, as they held the upper hand throughout the early game after stomping the laning stage. But BetBoom pulled off a smooth comeback as Pure’s Lifestealer took control, ultimately securing their second victory in 34 minutes. This 2-0 win solidifies BetBoom’s top seed position in Group B.

Current Dota 2 EWC Group Stage rankings:

Group A

1. Team Spirit 2-1-0
2. NAVI 1-1-1
3. Xtreme Gaming 0-2-1
4. Talon Esports 0-2-1

Group B

1. BetBoom Team 2-1-0
2. Gaimin Gladiators 1-2-0
3. Team Falcons 0-2-1
4. Execration 0-1-2

Group C 

1. Aurora Gaming 1-1-0
2. Tundra Esports 1-1-0
3. Team Yandex 1-0-1
4. Virtus.pro 0-0-2

Group D 

1. PARIVISION 2-0-0
2. Team Liquid 1-0-1
3. HEROIC 1-0-1
4. Shopify Rebellion 0-0-2

Day three of the Dota 2 EWC competition hosted games in Group A and Group B, finalizing their results. The fourth and final day of the Group Stage will see the defining results from Groups C and D. At the end of day four, we will have a complete list of Playoffs-qualified teams and those who will go through the Elimination Phase.

The fourth day of the Dota 2 competition at the EWC begins today, 11 July. Here are the upcoming matches:

Group C

• Aurora Gaming vs Virtus.pro
• Tundra Esports vs Team Yandex

Group D

• Team Liquid vs HEROIC
• PARIVISION vs Shopify Rebellion

The EWC is a multi-title mega event with a stacked prize pool of over US$70 million–the Dota 2 competition alone claiming one of the largest shares at US$3 million. While the entire event spans nearly two months, fitting in 25 unique esports, the Dota 2 tournament will be one of the first to run, running from 8 to 19 July. 

For everything you need to know about the EWC's Dota 2 competition, check here.

For Dota 2 match results and updates on the go, don't forget to check out our Telegram channel.