DOTA 2 TI14 Eliminations and Qualified

The International 2025 (TI14): Days 1–4 Recap — Upsets, Eliminations, and Rising Favorites

Hamburg, Germany — September 8, 2025
The first four days of The International 2025 have delivered everything fans could hope for: marathon games, surprise upsets, regional pride, heartbreaking eliminations, and the rise of new contenders. With the group stage wrapped and the Elimination Round concluded, we now have a clear picture of which squads are playoff-bound and which saw their TI dreams shattered.

Day 1: Falcons, Xtreme, and Tidebound Make Statements

Falcons Start with Firepower

Team Falcons entered TI14 as a “hidden favorite.” On opening day, they backed that reputation with two critical victories.

Their first clash against Team Nemesis wasn’t as straightforward as expected. After Nemesis stole Game 2, the deciding map stretched beyond 70 minutes before Falcons finally secured the win.
In the evening marquee match, Falcons faced Tundra Esports. Against expectations, Falcons overcame the 2022 champions in a grueling three-game series. Experience and composure carried them through.

Xtreme Gaming Shocks Spirit

While Falcons impressed, Xtreme Gaming (XG) stole the headlines. Led by Chinese superstar Wang “Ame” Chunyu, XG went 2–0 on the day.

Their opener against Aurora Gaming hinged on clutch mid-to-late game calls, overturning Aurora’s early leads.
The real statement came against Team Spirit, the reigning 2021 champions and pre-tournament favorites. After trading the first two maps, Ame’s Anti-Mage dominated Game 3, leaving Spirit reeling and the community buzzing.

Tidebound Quietly Climb

China’s Team Tidebound added to the region’s dominance with back-to-back wins over Na’Vi and Team Liquid. While not as flashy as Falcons or XG, their clinical approach and disciplined teamfights put them firmly on the radar.

Other Key Day 1 Results

PARIVISION scored crucial wins against HEROIC and Nigma Galaxy, living up to their rising hype.
Team Liquid handled BOOM Esports but stumbled against Tidebound.

Takeaway: Day 1 belonged to Falcons, Xtreme, and Tidebound—three squads that set the pace for the tournament.

Day 2: Nemesis Out, Tidebound & Xtreme Dominate

Nemesis Becomes First Casualty

Sadly, Southeast Asia’s Team Nemesis became the first confirmed elimination of TI14. After dropping their fourth series, they exited with a winless record. Despite glimpses of individual skill, they couldn’t match the discipline of the top squads.

Xtreme vs Falcons: Clash of Day 1 Giants

The most anticipated Day 2 series was Xtreme Gaming vs Team Falcons. It did not disappoint.

Falcons took Game 1, but XG rebounded with superior drafts in Games 2 and 3.
The three-game thriller lasted hours and showcased both squads’ mental resilience. XG’s adaptability ultimately secured their third consecutive win, cementing them as the scariest team in Hamburg.

Nigma Galaxy Stumble Again

Nigma Galaxy, usually crowd favorites, endured a nightmare day:

They fell to Team Liquid in a tough match.
Then, despite winning Game 1 against Yakutou Brothers, they dropped the next two, ending Day 2 with back-to-back series losses.

Questions began swirling about their playoff hopes.

Tidebound Remain Undefeated

Meanwhile, Team Tidebound continued their clean run by sweeping PARIVISION. Despite EEU’s reputation for discipline, PARIVISION crumbled in two straight maps, unable to contain Tidebound’s coordinated play.

Takeaway: Day 2 confirmed Xtreme Gaming as the tournament’s juggernaut and Tidebound as China’s rising star, while Nemesis’ exit underscored TI’s ruthless nature.

Day 3: The Bloodbath — Four Teams Out

Day 3 brought heartbreak. Three legendary organizations joined Nemesis on the sidelines.

Eliminated: Na’Vi, BOOM, Nemesis

Na’Vi (Natus Vincere), the 2011 inaugural TI champions, saw their campaign collapse. Despite an upset win over Tidebound earlier, they dropped four matches total, including a crucial decider against Nigma Galaxy.
BOOM Esports managed only a single win—ironically against Nemesis—before falling to Wildcard Gaming in a do-or-die series.
Nemesis, already 0–4, closed their run winless.

It was a sobering moment: the SEA region lost both of its representatives in one swoop.

Three Direct Playoff Teams

While some bowed out, others thrived. Xtreme Gaming, BetBoom Team, and Team Tidebound advanced directly to the Playoffs.

XG completed the group stage undefeated.
BetBoom and Tidebound finished 4–1, looking every bit like contenders.

Elimination Round Participants

Ten teams entered the perilous Elimination Round:
Team Falcons, PARIVISION, Aurora Gaming, HEROIC, Team Liquid, Nigma Galaxy, Team Spirit, Tundra Esports, Wildcard, Yakutou Brothers.

Notably, giants Liquid and Spirit underperformed, surprising many analysts.

HEROIC Advance, Yakutou Out

The day ended with an Elimination Round match between HEROIC and Yakutou Brothers. HEROIC’s gamble on a Meepo pick in Game 2 stunned Yakutou, propelling them to a decisive win and ending Yakutou’s TI14 journey.

Takeaway: Day 3 was brutal: Na’Vi, BOOM, Nemesis, and Yakutou eliminated; Xtreme, BetBoom, and Tidebound into the Playoffs.

Day 4: Elimination Drama — Liquid and Spirit Exit

With the group stage fully closed, Day 4 featured a slate of win-or-go-home clashes.

Nigma Galaxy Survive Aurora

In a thriller, Nigma Galaxy eliminated Aurora Gaming 2–1.

Aurora struck first, but NGX rallied behind SumaiL, whose Game 2 performance extended past an hour.
Riding that momentum, NGX closed Game 3 to keep their playoff dream alive.

PARIVISION Crush Wildcard

Eastern Europe’s PARIVISION dismantled North America’s Wildcard Gaming in two swift games.

The result meant Wildcard bowed out, ending NA’s hopes at TI14.
PARIVISION, meanwhile, punched their ticket to the Playoffs.

Tundra Sends Liquid Packing

Perhaps the biggest shock: Tundra Esports eliminated Team Liquid in a three-game battle.

Game 2 was a legendary 68-minute epic, but Liquid couldn’t sustain their comeback.
In Game 3, Bzm and Tundra crushed Liquid in just 31 minutes, dashing Liquid’s quest for a third Aegis.

Falcons Outlast Team Spirit

The day’s finale saw Team Falcons vs Team Spirit, a clash of styles and legacies.

The highlight came in Game 2, a 76-minute epic where Spirit’s Yatoro nearly backdoored the Ancient—only to be denied by Glyph of Fortification.
Falcons held firm, winning the series and knocking out Spirit in one of the most dramatic endings yet.

Takeaway: By the end of Day 4, Liquid, Spirit, Aurora, and Wildcard joined the eliminated list, while Nigma Galaxy, PARIVISION, Tundra, and Falcons advanced.

Key Storylines So Far

China’s Renaissance: Both Xtreme Gaming and Tidebound are undefeated so far, signaling a resurgence of Chinese dominance at TI.
Falcons’ Rise: From “hidden favorite” to giant-killer, Falcons’ wins over Tundra and Spirit prove they are serious contenders.
Fallen Giants: Na’Vi, BOOM, Liquid, and Spirit—organizations with Aegis pedigrees—are already out. The TI meta has shifted.
Underdog Power: Teams like PARIVISION and HEROIC have seized their moments, capitalizing on drafts and momentum to knock out bigger names.

MVP Watch

While official MVP awards come later, early candidates include:

Ame (Xtreme Gaming): His Anti-Mage and carry dominance have been tournament-defining.
Bzm (Tundra Esports): Instrumental in their elimination of Liquid, showing poise under pressure.
Falcons’ Core Duo: Their resilience in marathon series and composure in high-pressure fights has elevated them into fan favorites.

What’s Next

The stage is now set for the Playoffs beginning September 11.

Direct Upper Bracket Teams: Xtreme Gaming, BetBoom Team, Tidebound.
Elimination Survivors Advancing: Falcons, PARIVISION, Nigma Galaxy, Tundra, HEROIC.

With only eight teams left, the battle for the Aegis of Champions will intensify. Expect fresh strategies, emotional clashes, and perhaps more unexpected eliminations.

Conclusion

After four days, The International 2025 has already lived up to its reputation as the most unpredictable tournament in esports. Favorites have fallen, new heroes have risen, and fans have been treated to unforgettable spectacles of skill and drama.

As the Playoffs loom, one truth is clear: at TI, legends are made and dynasties are broken. Whether Xtreme continues their dominance, Falcons complete their Cinderella story, or another dark horse emerges, TI14 is destined for the history books.

Which team do you think has the best shot at lifting the Aegis this year? Place your bets at AP33 — will Xtreme Gaming stay dominant, or will Falcons or another underdog surprise us?”

DOTA 2 TI14 Eliminations and Qualified Teams Day 1-4