Team Liquid vs Secret at TI9: Meepo Huskar and the Road to the Finals by Destroying the Favorite

Two Titanic Forces: Contrasting Styles on the Shanghai Arena

Team Secret approached the match as favorites — the strongest DPC of the season, dominant majors, stable roster with Puppey at the helm. At the same time, Team Liquid, after a bad start to the season and the replacement of Matumbaman with w33, went through the lower bracket, having gone through a very difficult path. The Team Secret roster demonstrated incredible synergy throughout the season. Each player knew their role and performed it with maximum efficiency. Puppey, as a captain, always found the right strategies and approaches to opponents, which allowed the team to dominate the map. Their game was distinguished by high discipline and coordination, which made them difficult opponents for any team.

On the other hand, Team Liquid was going through a difficult period. The replacement of Matumbaman with w33 was not easy, and the team needed time to adapt to the new conditions. The first matches showed that Liquid was experiencing difficulties in coordination and interaction. However, the team did not give up. In the lower bracket, they showed character and resilience, beating their opponents one after another. w33 brought fresh energy and new ideas to the team, which gradually began to bear fruit. Liquid’s path to the final was not easy. Each victory was hard-won, but it tempered their spirit. They learned to work under pressure, which became their strong point. It is important to note that during the matches, the team demonstrated excellent individual play. Players such as Miracle- and KuroKy became real leaders, inspiring their teammates in the most critical moments.

When both teams met in the final, expectations were high. Team Secret, as favorites, had to show their strength, but Team Liquid, charged with the spirit of winners, started the game with a determined attitude. The first minutes of the match showed that Liquid was not going to give up without a fight. They showed an aggressive style of play, which forced Secret to adapt and react to their actions. Each match was full of tension and emotional moments. Team Secret tried to play to their strengths by building a strategy around their experienced roster, but Liquid, with their unique approaches and unpredictable tactics, constantly put them in a difficult position. It is important to note that Liquid managed to surprise their opponents several times with unconventional hero picks, which was one of the key factors in their success.

In the end, the final series was a real show. Both rosters demonstrated a high level of play, but it was Team Liquid, thanks to their resilience and teamwork, who were able to pull ahead. This match became a symbol of how self-confidence and perseverance can lead to victory, even when the odds are against you. Liquid proved that they deserved the title, and their journey from the lower bracket to the championship became a legend in the world of Dota 2. Thus, the final was not only a spectacular event, but also demonstrated the importance of teamwork and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Team Secret, although they were favorites, could not cope with the pressure of Liquid. This match will be remembered by many as one of the best Dota 2 tournaments in history, where each team showed its strength, but only one was able to lift the trophy over their heads.

The first map is the school of destruction by w33 and Miracle-

Team Liquid took a unique draft: w33 on Huskar, Miracle- on Wraith King, GH on Earthshaker. Secret tried the standard – Morphling, Enigma, Rubick, but their lines dropped immediately. This was a surprise to many, since Team Secret usually relied on proven strategies and familiar combinations. However, Liquid decided to take a risk and chose heroes that could have a big impact on the game. The first minutes of the match showed that Liquid were serious. w33 on Huskar actively used his ability to be aggressive, allowing himself not only to farm, but also to force fights on the lanes. His ability to survive and deal damage, combined with the support from GH on Earthshaker, allowed Liquid to control the map and increase the advantage. GH, fulfilling his role and providing control over the enemies, created ideal conditions for an attack.

On the other hand, Team Secret could not find a common language at the beginning of the game. Their lanes started to fail, and Enigma, who was usually a key hero in the draft, was unable to establish control in his lane. Morphling, although strong in the late game, was unable to counter Liquid’s active style in the early stages. Rubick, as a support, was unable to provide the necessary protection and control, which made things even worse for Secret. By the middle of the first game, Liquid already had a significant advantage. They used their strategy to build up gold and experience, and they were also actively taking key positions on the map. w33, with his skills, became the real center of gravity for the team, and Miracle-, playing Wraith King, provided an additional threat to the opponents.

Realizing that the situation was getting worse, Team Secret began to make attempts to change the course of the game. They tried to organize a gank on Huskar, but Liquid was able to effectively defend using Earthshaker’s abilities. Every time Secret tried to initiate a fight, Liquid responded with a counter, which led to the loss of important heroes for Secret. The situation became critical when Liquid forced a team fight at the 15-minute mark. Using a combination of Huskar and Wraith King, they dealt a devastating blow to the enemy. GH, thanks to his skills, was able to catch several Secret heroes in his ultimate, which gave Liquid the opportunity to quickly eliminate them. This was the turning point in the game, and Liquid confidently went on to win.

After this, Team Secret realized that their draft was not working and they needed to change their approach. They started to use their abilities more actively and tried to find opportunities to gank, but Liquid was one step ahead. The team continued to increase their advantage, controlling the map and not giving Secret the opportunity to come back into the game. By the end of the first game, Liquid already had a significant advantage in gold and experience. Their strategic play and excellent individual skills allowed them to dominate the battlefield. Team Secret, although they tried, could not find an antidote to Liquid’s aggressive style. The final fight was the culmination of the entire game: Liquid, using their strengths, were able to win, which was a real triumph for the team. This game demonstrated the importance of the right draft and adaptation to the opponent’s style. Team Liquid, by choosing unconventional heroes, were able to surprise their opponents and demonstrate excellent team play. Their victory was not only the result of an excellent strategy, but also a testament to the importance of believing in your strengths and abilities.

The second card is total destruction

Team Liquid picked Meepo for w33, and it was key. Team Secret couldn’t respond, their draft was too slow. W33 controlled the map, Miracle- on Ember Spirit created chaos all over the map, and Mind_Control played the role of an anchor on Dark Seer. From the very beginning of the game, Liquid showed an aggressive style that left no chance for the opponents. The selection of Meepo for w33 was a real surprise for Team Secret. This hero requires high individual play and excellent control, but the experienced Liquid midlaner did a great job.

Mind_Control on Dark Seer became a kind of anchor for the team. His abilities allowed Liquid to create powerful combos, turning teamfights into a nightmare for Secret. Using Vacuum and Wall of Replica, he could control opponents and provide ideal conditions for an attack. This became an important part of Liquid’s strategy, and Secret could not find a way to deal with this threat. In the first half of the match, Team Secret tried to find their game, but Liquid steadily increased their lead.