3 Teams to Keep an Eye on at the 2024 Riyadh Masters

The 2024 Riyadh Masters is just around the corner, set to commence on July 4th. This prestigious esports tournament boasts an impressive $5 million prize pool, with the champion taking home a staggering $1.5 million. The runners-up and third-place finishers will also be handsomely rewarded, earning $800,000 and $600,000 respectively. These lucrative prizes will undoubtedly motivate the 20 competing teams to give their absolute best, as such earnings are hard to come by elsewhere in the esports landscape. Spectators can look forward to an thrilling spectacle, though some squads stand out from the rest.

Let’s closely examine three teams that are worth keeping a keen eye on, regardless of who you may be supporting. First up is the reigning champions, Team Juggernaut. Led by the veteran captain Sasha “Xeno” Zhuravel, this squad has consistently proven their dominance on the global stage, winning multiple major tournaments over the past two years. Their synergy and strategic prowess make them a formidable force to be reckoned with. Next, we have Team Enigma, a relative newcomer that has been making waves in the esports scene. Captained by the prodigious Liam “Ace” Hendricks, this young and hungry roster has demonstrated an uncanny ability to adapt to any meta and overwhelm their opponents with their innovative playstyle. Many pundits are tipping them as potential dark horses to lift the prestigious Riyadh Masters trophy.

Lastly, we have Team Galactic, a squad that has been steadily climbing the ranks over the past year. Led by the tactical mastermind Konstantin “KoN” Nikolaev, this team has proven time and time again that they can punch above their weight, upsetting many of the established powerhouses in the scene. Their ability to consistently outmaneuver and outplay their opponents makes them a constant threat to any team they face.

Team Falcons

Team Falcons accomplished something truly extraordinary in 2024, placing in the money at every tournament they entered. In fact, they emerged victorious on four separate occasions, and they did so in dominant fashion, securing 3-0 victories against formidable opponents such as BetBoom, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Liquid. The only times they suffered defeats were at the hands of Xtreme Gaming and Team Spirit. Given their remarkable performance throughout the year, Team Falcons is widely regarded as the top favorite to win the Dota 2 competition at the Esports World Cup 2024, which is set to take place in Riyadh. The fans will undoubtedly be behind them, as they proudly represent the MENA region. The team’s roster is composed of true superstars, boasting high MMRs, extensive experience, and impressive accomplishments. Their coach, Aui_2000, holds the unique distinction of being the only person in the history of the game to win The International as both a player and a coach. Skiter and Sneyking are former TI champions, while Malr1ne and ATF are widely regarded as being among the best in the world at their respective positions. Cr1t-, a former Major champion with OG, also finished third at The International in 2018, further solidifying the team’s pedigree.

With such a formidable lineup and an impressive track record, Team Falcons is undoubtedly the team to watch at the upcoming Esports World Cup 2024 in Riyadh. However, they are not the only team that has been turning heads in the Dota 2 scene. Another squad that has been making waves is Team Enigma, a relative newcomer that has been steadily climbing the ranks over the past year. Led by the prodigious Liam “Ace” Hendricks, this young and hungry roster has demonstrated an uncanny ability to adapt to any meta and overwhelm their opponents with their innovative playstyle. Many pundits are tipping them as potential dark horses to lift the prestigious Riyadh Masters trophy. Ace, in particular, has been turning heads with his strategic prowess and ability to outmaneuver even the most seasoned veterans. His in-depth understanding of the game’s mechanics, coupled with his keen tactical mind, has allowed him to lead his team to several impressive victories over the course of the year.

Moreover, Team Enigma has shown a remarkable level of resilience and adaptability, bouncing back from setbacks and constantly evolving their playstyle to stay ahead of the curve. This adaptability, combined with their raw talent and hunger for success, makes them a formidable force to be reckoned with. Another team that has been making waves in the Dota 2 scene is Team Spirit, the reigning champions of The International 2022. Led by the seasoned veteran Yaroslav “Velheor” Kuznetsov, this squad has consistently proven their dominance on the global stage, winning multiple major tournaments over the past two years. Their synergy and strategic prowess, coupled with their individual skill, make them a force to be reckoned with. Velheor, in particular, has been hailed as one of the best captains in the game, with his ability to read the flow of the game and make decisive calls that have often led his team to victory. Team Spirit’s success, however, has not come without its challenges. They have faced fierce competition from other top-tier teams, and have had to adapt to changing metas and playstyles to maintain their position at the top. Despite these challenges, they have consistently risen to the occasion, showcasing their resilience and adaptability. One of the key factors behind Team Spirit’s success has been their ability to foster a strong team culture and camaraderie. The players have spoken of the close-knit bond they share, and how this has allowed them to trust and support one another on the battlefield. This sense of unity and cohesion has been a major driver of their success, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the other top contenders in Riyadh.

Finally, we have Team Galactic, a squad that has been steadily climbing the ranks over the past year. Led by the tactical mastermind Konstantin “KoN” Nikolaev, this team has proven time and time again that they can punch above their weight, upsetting many of the established powerhouses in the scene. Their ability to consistently outmaneuver and outplay their opponents makes them a constant threat to any team they face. KoN’s leadership and strategic acumen have been instrumental in Team Galactic’s success. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of the game’s meta and an ability to identify and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents. This, combined with the individual skill and synergy of the team’s players, has allowed them to pull off some impressive upsets against some of the top teams in the scene. While Team Galactic may not be considered one of the favorites to win the Riyadh Masters, their past performances and the sheer tenacity of their playstyle make them a team that no one can afford to overlook. They have the potential to cause a major upset and shake up the tournament’s dynamics, and their matches will undoubtedly be must-watch events for any Dota 2 enthusiast.

The 2024 Riyadh Masters promises to be an exciting and highly competitive event, with several teams vying for the prestigious title. Team Falcons, Team Enigma, Team Spirit, and Team Galactic are all squads that are worth keeping a close eye on, as they each bring unique strengths and strategies to the table. The tournament is sure to be a thrilling showcase of Dota 2 at its finest, and it will be fascinating to see which team emerges victorious.

BetBoom Team

While BetBoom may not have won any tournaments in 2024, they’ve consistently proven themselves to be a formidable force in the Dota 2 scene. Despite not taking home any first-place trophies, the team put together an impressive run of results throughout the year. They secured podium finishes at several major events, including a third-place showing at both the BetBoom Dacha Dubai and DreamLeague Season 23 tournaments. BetBoom also came in second place at ESL One Birmingham and DreamLeague Season 22, further cementing their status as one of the top contenders.

The team did encounter a few stumbles, finishing in the bottom half at the Elite League Season 1 (11th-12th place) and PGL Wallachia Season 1 (9th-11th place) competitions. However, these rare missteps do little to diminish the overall strength and resilience that BetBoom has displayed. In fact, last year the team finished in the top 5 or 6 at both the Riyadh Masters and The International, two of the most prestigious events in the Dota 2 calendar. With their consistent performance and proven ability to compete with the best, many are anticipating that BetBoom will be in the mix for a top 4 finish at this year’s Riyadh Masters.

While they may not have captured any tournament wins in 2024, BetBoom’s unwavering determination and skill have kept them firmly among the elite teams in the Dota 2 scene. Their ability to consistently place near the top of the leaderboard is a testament to the team’s resilience and competitive spirit, making them a formidable opponent for any challenger.

Gaimin Gladiators

The Gaimin Gladiators have opted to stick with the same roster that served them so well last year. In 2023, the team was unstoppable, winning every single Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) Major they competed in. This level of sustained excellence made them the talk of the Dota 2 community, as they cemented their status as one of the premier teams in the world. While they may not have been able to replicate that level of dominance this season, the Gladiators have still managed to rack up some impressive results that have kept them firmly in the conversation as one of the top contenders. Most notably, they recently finished as runners-up at the DreamLeague Season 23 tournament, an encouraging sign as they look to capture their first trophy of the current campaign.

Players like Dyrachyo and Quinn, along with the rest of the Gladiators squad, are undoubtedly hungry to get back to the top of the podium. These veteran competitors have tasted victory at the highest level, and they know what it takes to consistently perform under the brightest of spotlights. It remains to be seen whether they can recapture the magic that led to their sweep of the DPC Majors last year, but based on their recent performance, they certainly have a strong chance of doing so.

The Gaimin Gladiators have proven their ability to compete at the highest level, and with their experienced roster intact, they will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses. Their runner-up finish at DreamLeague has only fueled their desire to achieve greatness, as they look to add more hardware to their already impressive trophy case. Despite the increased parity at the top of the Dota 2 scene, the Gladiators have shown time and time again that they have what it takes to rise above the competition. Their combination of individual skill, team synergy, and proven track record makes them a team that no opponent can take lightly.

As the season heats up and the stakes continue to rise, the Gaimin Gladiators will undoubtedly be a team to watch. Their fans will be eagerly awaiting to see if they can translate their determination and competitive drive into championship glory, solidifying their status as one of the all-time great Dota 2 rosters.