The ESL Berlin Main has been some of the anticipated Dota 2 occasions of the 12 months, and for good motive. Day 2 of Playoffs noticed OG lose out to EG, 9 Pandas misstep in opposition to Gaimin Gladiators and eventually, South America’s final hope fell to Workforce Liquid.
Among the many gamers on the primary stage was Boxi from Workforce Liquid, a Dota 2 veteran with years of expertise underneath his belt. The ESL Berlin Main isn’t his first rodeo!
We bought the prospect to take a seat down with him earlier than his recreation on day 2 of the ESL Berlin Main and get his tackle town, the Main and all issues 7.33b!
![TL Dota 2 Berlin](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/TL-Dota-2.webp)
Supply: @TeamLiquid | Twitter
How are you having fun with Berlin thus far?
Boxi: Berlin has been good. I haven’t been outdoors that a lot, principally simply on the lodge or the venue however I’ve been strolling round, I don’t know what the park is known as, however subsequent to the Brandenburg Gate there’s this actually massive park so I’ve simply been strolling round it like 20 occasions. Gotta get some daylight however 99% of my go to right here has been the park and the lodge.
How is your expertise of the Main in Berlin in comparison with Lima thus far?
Boxi: The expertise in Lima was slightly bit totally different than the opposite Majors. I feel with it being the primary time the event organisers deliberate the Main, there have been some minor hiccups however there have been numerous passionate individuals concerned, individuals who actually wished to assist out and issues like that. ESL runs issues slightly bit extra structured, there’s much less hiccups by way of journey or meals or the venue. I do know individuals at Peru complained in regards to the venue. The primary couple of days there weren’t that many individuals there sadly however the crowd was very loud and it seemed like there have been much more. In Berlin, there are much more individuals however possibly they make rather less noise.
Peru was actually nice and it’s good to go to a brand new a part of the world. I’ve by no means been to South America earlier than. The meals and the fruit…the fruit is so-so. However I’ve by no means been to Berlin both so it’s enjoyable to go to a brand new place and the tournaments themselves. I imply each are cool, you present as much as a LAN and there are numerous passionate followers!
![TL Dota](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/TL-Dota.jpg)
Loads of Liquid followers within the venue. #LetsGoLiquid
Your run in Berlin has been slightly totally different to Lima. How does it really feel to be going via the decrease bracket as a substitute of storming via the higher bracket?
Boxi: I feel in Peru we have been extra dominant or quite now, we’re much less dominant as a result of an enormous patch dropped and the sport modified fairly a bit. I feel typically you must lose to study as nicely about what works and what doesn’t work and I really feel like now we’ve figured it out a bit extra thus far within the decrease bracket run than we did within the group stage. In Peru, I assume the sport was slightly extra stale as a result of nature of the patch so there wasn’t as a lot to determine. In earlier tournaments, it was about honing what you already know.
When the patch dropped, we weren’t given numerous discover. How did that change your method heading right into a Main?
Boxi: I feel you need to be very open minded and possibly abandon what doesn’t work so nice. It is advisable adapt concepts which are good or are working for different groups. In a patch that’s so new, you’re by no means going to determine the whole lot out instantly however in an older patch, I’d say, you don’t wanna copy different groups as a lot. You must do what works for you and discover your personal methods. Now it’s extra like this factor is balanced, this factor could be very robust or this factor could be very dangerous. You kinda have to simply accept that you simply’re proper or settle for that you simply’re mistaken.
You’re going to face off in opposition to both EG or OG later tonight. In the event you may choose one, who would you choose?
Boxi: I feel OG looks as if the crew we’re extra accustomed to. Maybe from enjoying within the European DPC and we’ve performed in opposition to them rather a lot. However they do have two stand ins, which appears to be a buff to their crew. I don’t know, I used to be slightly amazed that they misplaced their first recreation in opposition to EG. However then they received the second simply. It was a loopy draft in recreation one. I really feel it’s higher for us to play in opposition to one thing that’s much less wild. I want to play in opposition to OG however I wouldn’t say I actually have a choice or that one crew is best than the opposite, it’s about what we’re accustomed to.
After our interview with Boxi, Workforce Liquid went on to play Evil Geniuses within the decrease bracket semi finals. They got here out on high with a fast and decisive 2-0. Boxi himself placed on a formidable efficiency as Oracle and Mirana in each video games.
Now, Liquid heads straight into the decrease bracket finals in opposition to 9 Pandas. If Workforce Liquid win, followers will see a repeat of the Lima Main grand finals with Liquid’s full crew able to tackle GG. There’s nonetheless a protracted day of Dota 2 left to play on the ESL Berlin Main!