Team OG have won The International for the second year in a row, taking home over $15 million and cementing their names in esports history. They are the first team to ever win two Internationals, and did so in back-to-back years. They secured the win after defeating Team Liquid 3-1 in the best-of-five grand final series. This year's International championship is the biggest esports tournament of all-time, with an overall prize pool of over $34 million.

via Valve

OG did not come into TI9 as a favorite, though they quickly became one after their commanding group stage performance. They topped Group B, winning 2-0 over everyone, save for Natus Vincere and tournament favorites, Vici Gaming. OG were not on the radar for many, as they had ended this year's Dota Pro Circuit with a less than desirable record, not winning any tournaments while just barely qualifying for The International. The sound of fans calling their TI8 win a fluke echoed in everyone's minds as OG came into TI9 ready to prove everyone wrong.

A top finish in the group stage guaranteed them an upper bracket spot, where they faced Newbee in the quarter-finals. OG dealt with them quickly, dispatching the North Americans in two games. It was here that we got to see OG's innovative gameplay and clever hero drafts in full swing, something that would come to help them take home the championship.

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OG next faced Evil Geniuses in a now classic match-up between old teammates. These two met in the upper bracket semi-finals at last year’s International as well, where OG used the grudges they held to power themselves to the win. Whether they’ve moved on now or not, OG seemed to use that same fire as they took down Evil Geniuses with a 2-1 scoreline. They moved on to the upper bracket final, another repeat match against hometown favorites PSG.LGD. OG continued to dominate throughout their play-offs run as they defeated PSG.LGD 2-1 to secure a grand final appearance.

via Valve

Grand final opponent Team Liquid had been on an unprecedented run of their own, as they had steamrolled their way through the lower bracket. No team has ever won TI by starting in the lower bracket, and Liquid looked ready to do it this year. Liquid kicked off the final by giving OG a run for their money, managing to win the first game after 50 grueling minutes. Despite Liquid’s momentum, OG thoroughly outplayed them in the next three games. With an average time of about 25 minutes per game, OG crushed Team Liquid’s dreams of lifting the Aegis and took the win with a 3-1 scoreline.

OG end this tournament as the best Dota 2 team of all time, the only team to win two, back-to-back Internationals. The roster now holds the top five spots on the highest esports earners list. The team will once again have a chance to defend the Aegis at The International 2020, in August of next year in Stockholm, Sweden.

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