GosuLeague Season 1 - <br>The Contenders

New name, new beginnings

The new team containing ex-Captain Planet players have not seen much action since their victory at our first GosuLeague qualifier in early April. The move by It's Gosu to acquire Captain Planet came after they decided to drop their previous roster, citing 'unresolvable internal issues'.

It should be interesting to note, however, that It's Gosu are the only non-European team in the main season for GosuLeague and with competition for top place tighter than ever, the Americans will have to learn to adapt to playing on unfavorable server conditions (just ask the Australians).

To sing or not to sing

Mousesports have been performing phenomenally as of late, defeating European powerhouses Counter Logic Gaming at The GD Studio Arena and NEXT.kz at The Premier League, both in best of three matchups. Furthermore, it seems that the temporary addition of KuroKy have worked wonders for the German squad, who managed to claim victories in most of their recent matches and earning their team an invitation for Dreamhack this summer.

'Even though the lineup is packed with some of the best teams from Europe and America, I think that our odds for reaching the top 3 are quite good. To bring some light into our current roster situation, we will release an announcement within the next days and present our official lineup!' says team manager Paisy. Expect to see Mouz entering the season in full force.

Just another Swedish team?

The Swedes have made a mark for themselves in the European Dota 2 scene, a scene which has, for the most part, been dominated by teams from the Commonwealth of Independent States (Russia, Ukraine, etc). With Counter Logic Gaming leading the pack, Infused follow closely behind with their occasional sparks of brilliance earning them wins against top teams like DTS and NEXT.kz.

Infused's Mini later had this to say about Mousesports: 'We have played against Mousesports many times and they are a really great team.' While the team would not be our favorites to top the league this season, we believe that they are definitely capable of pulling off upsets against powerhouses such as Moscow Five with league matchups being best of one.

The perennial powerhouse

For as long as competitive Dota 2 has taken centerstage in Europe, NEXT.kz has been around to challenge the teams at the top, while never really claiming the spot for themselves. This has been more so given their recent form, where inconsistency has been the name of the game.

'There are a pair of candidates we are considering for replacement, but I can say nothing right now,' eQual told GosuGamers, as we started to postulate reasons for their recent form. There were not many, and the possible 'limbo factor' left after RONIN's departure could be the source of inconsistency. NEXT.kz, however, may just show up this Wednesday looking stronger than ever.

Underdogs, if only for awhile

Quiet teams always have the potential to surprise - this is true for EnRo, whose climb to the top of our fifth qualifier showed us that determination and grit could prevail over the lack of big 'player names'. Their relatively young history, however, could play against their advantage when challenging stable and experienced opponents like DTS.

'I only fear the Russians and the Ukrainians' was the call from EnRo's captain Crush, who pinpointed DTS and M5 as teams who are 'unpredictable in all aspects of the game'. This sentiment would later be echoed by Keita or even DTS themselves, showing Moscow Five as the team to beat during the season's premere on Wednesday.

The PGG factor

If there is one thing Russian DotA has taught us, it is this - never doubt PGG. The man has led teams of all colors and sizes against seemingly insurmountable odds, putting Na`Vi on the edge of their seats twice on LAN - once successfully at last year's Dota 2 Star Championships, and the other attempt last weekend at the recently concluded StarSeries finals in Kiev, Ukraine.

Despite having the worst overall statistics preceding the LAN finals, their first runner's up placement in Kiev has been and would definitely be a huge boost to team morale as PGG and co prepares to take on a new wave of competition at this season's GosuLeague.

An illustrious legacy, or heavy burden?

DTS and the phrase 'overcoming the odds' have always seemed interrelated after the legacy left behind by their 2010 squad. Their recent performance, however, speaks less about a legacy of dominance and perfection and more of a team struggling to find rhythm and consistency after the departure of key players.

Alas, their recent defeats at the hands of Keita, Mousesports and Infused foreshadow difficult times ahead for the Ukrainian squad who will be facing the same teams in the main season of GosuLeague.

In Keita they trust

Keita Gaming have done well to serve the name of their sponsors. Picking up respectable wins against DTS, Complexity and Absoulute Legends in the SLTV ProSeries, the team looks set to bring their sponsor's name to greater heights this season of GosuLeague.

bonzajajaj was also quick to call out Moscow Five as his favorites for the StarSeries finals and by extension a tough opponent for GosuLeague. Being 'a big fan of the Russian playstyle', he looked forward to the comeback of vigoss in Dota 2 in the meantime, anticipates the clash between Keita and Moscow Five.