In a two out of three comeback against TNC Predator, Vici gaming just managed to hang on to their tournament hopes.

The International Dota 2 Tournament 2019 (TI9) is quite possibly the biggest esports event of the year. Since the first TI in 2010, the tournament has grown from a small event for a game that practically no one played to the biggest esports event in the world, at least in terms of winnings. This year’s prize pool broke records again by passing $34 million. The tournament ended earlier today but there were some great best of three matches leading to the Finals.

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/469644819

One of the most dramatic matches of round one occurred when Vici Gaming, one of the oldest names in Dota 2 was challenged by a relative new-comer TNC Predator. Game one was an hour and sixteen minute seesaw of team fight followed by team fight until Vici made a crucial mistake. Late in the game, with both teams bases exposed and heroes running low on buy-backs Vici moved out to take a bounty rune. Unfortunately for Vici, TNC found them, forced a team fight and won. There was no recovery for Vici after that.

RELATED: Hangzhou Spark End Their Regular Season Strong, Hoping To Carry Momentum Into The Playoffs

Game two was much the same as game one, with the two teams trading the slimmest of advantages back and forth for almost an hour. This time it was TNC who was caught out of their base with catastrophic consequences, though. One hero out of position for TNC caused a cascade of take downs for Vici that left the TNC Predator base almost completely exposed.

Game three broke the mold though. Almost half the length of games one and two at thirty-five minutes Vici smashed TNC in convincing fashion, with twenty-four to six kills. Dota 2 is a game with one hundred fifteen playable heroes. This variety means that in competitive play a change in drafting strategy can vastly affect the way a given team plays. It’s similar to a pitcher throwing a changeup in baseball. The pitcher convinces the batter a fastball is coming, then throws something else.

TNC got caught looking for a fastball and it probably cost them their TI9.

READ NEXT: Echo Fox Files Restraining Order Against Rick Fox