DreamHack Winter 2017 Reviewed; ROG Masters Previewed
Published: Dec 5, 2017 - Last Updated: May 30, 2024
This past weekend was a busy one in Sweden. A number of big esports events took over Jonkoping, including DreamHack Winter.
Eight teams competed, including several previous winners of other DreamHack events this year. Here’s how the action over the weekend turned out.
Group A results
Group A’s matches mostly went to the form. Gambit Esports were comfortable 16-10 winners over Rise. Then, Natus Vincere completed a 16-11 win over Heroic.
That set up a matchup between Gambit Esports and Natus Vincere, which turned into an epic game. The game evolved into a lengthy overtime, and Gambit finally came through, winning by an incredible 31-28 scoreline.
In the losers match, Heroic eliminated Rise. This meant they would face Natus Vincere for a place in the semifinals. It was a good game. Natus Vincere won the first map 16-5, but then Heroic roared back to level the matchup with a 16-9 win. That set up a final decider on the Train. Natus Vincere came through with a 16-12 map win.
Group B results
Group B also saw some close games but not initially. Mousesports defeated North Academy 16-6 to start. The second game was a corker: Team EnVyUs completed an overtime win over BIG by a 19-17 scoreline.
In the clash between the two winners, EnVyUs claimed the top spot in the group with a solid 16-12 victory. In the losers game, BIG overcame North Academy 2-1.
That final game went the way of mousesports, who won convincingly by 16-9 and 16-3 scores to confirm their spot in the playoffs.
Playoffs
With the two semifinals pitting the top seeds from one group against the No. 2 seeds in another, things didn’t quite turn out as the bookies planned.
In that first semifinal, Team EnVyUs were defeated in a superb performance by Natus Vincere — 16-11 and 16-14.
In the second semi, mousesports made it a sweep for the No. 2 seeds. They produced a stunning performance against Gambit, the tournament favourites, by 16-9 and 16-1 scorelines.
From there, the underdogs kept on winning. In the final, Natus Vincere won by 16-4 and 16-11 scores to claim the $50,000 top prize.
ROG Masters in Kuala Lumpur this weekend
Hot on the heels of a big CS:GO event in Europe, there is an even more prestigious event this weekend — the ROG Masters 2017.
This small event has just six teams taking part, but it is very much a Major in terms of prize money and prestige. $250,000 is on the line.
Featuring some of the best teams from around the globe, the event has already seen one lineup change. Mousesports, who qualified as one of the EMEA teams, were forced to withdraw. Vega Squadron have been called up as their replacement from the same qualifying section.
That means the six teams competing are as follows:
- Splyce (Americas)
- 5Power Club (APAC)
- Grayhound Gaming (APAC)
- TyLoo (China)
- Gambit Esports (EMEA)
- Vega Squadron (EMEA)
The opening round, which begins Dec. 7, is a group stage with the six teams drawn into two groups of three teams. The teams will play each other once in the group stages and will be seeking to earn top spot in the group. This affords an automatic bye into the semifinals.
The teams that finish second and third in each group will then play the teams finishing in those positions from the other group in the quarterfinals. The winner of those games then plays the seeded teams in the semis. The winners of the two semis will contest the grand final.
Each of the quarter and semi matches are best-of-three, with the grand final a best-of-five format.
The draw for the groups is as follows:
- Group A – 5Power Club, Gambit Esports, Splyce
- Group B – Vega Squadron, TyLoo, Grayhound Gaming
Who do the bookies think will win the ROG Masters 2017?
Checking in with Betway on the six teams, Gambit Esports are as the 3/5 favorites to win.
Vega Squadron, Europe’s other representative are a 3/1 shot, with Chinese team TyLoo a 17/4 shot. Outside that, it really is outside bets — Splyce a 20/1 chance and Grayhound 25/1, while 5Power are 33/1.
Since: August 10, 2015
