There have always been matchups that are more interesting than others. Matchups that can be considered true Dota 2 classics. And the best known of them all is probably Alliance vs. Natus Vincere.
El Classico
Both teams have a long history in Dota 2 and won the Aegis once. Na’Vi is the first squad to ever lift the coveted trophy and Alliance was the first European squad to win TI. Matchups between the world-class teams Evil Geniuses, Team Secret, Team Liquid or OG could be considered to be the new generation of El Classicos – true super teams that fight incredible battles whenever they meet.
However, one true classic will always be the one between Na’Vi and Alliance, because of one historic match in 2013.
Still the best TI Grand Finals of all time?
It has always been considered to be the best TI Grand Finals of all time. Both teams were battling for the trophy at The International 2013.
Bringing back all that memories and feelings from back then is impossible. So let’s keep it short: Alliance was the favourite of the tournament and they actually made it through the tournament without losing up until the Grand Finals where they faced Na’Vi a second time. They already beat the Ukrainian team in the Upper Bracket Finals in a dominating fashion 2-0. Nobody was expecting Na’Vi to actually stand a chance against the Swedes.
Game one was proof of that: Alliance won in 15 minutes – what a stomp. However, Na’Vi fought back and took the lead. They just had to win one more game for their second TI championship. Alliance, on the other hand, remained calm and found new ways to tie and then even take the series.
Maybe PSG.LGD vs. OG was a better game last year, but for most old school fans it will always be the Grand Finals of 2013 that is the pinnacle of TI Dota.
Na’Vi is slightly ahead
However, the Grand Finals were not the only battle these legends fought – otherwise, it wouldn’t be an El Classico of Dota 2, right? In fact, both teams played exactly 100 games against each other in more than six years. Who would have thought, but it’s almost even: Na’Vi won 52 of these matches, Alliance 48.
In 2014 and 2015 they played particularly often against each other. Only one thing changed over time: both teams got weaker and were not considered top-notch teams any more. Every time, one of them had a mediocre success people would immediately joke: Is Alliance back? Is Na’Vi back? They were lacking the confidence and skill of earlier years. Players changed, rosters changed and by now, none of these legendary players of old is actively playing for their organisation – not even Danil ‘Dendi‘ Ishutin.
Only three players of the two 2013 rosters are still on a top-level: Kuro S. ‘KuroKy‘ Takhasomi and Clement ‘Puppey‘ Ivanov. The only players in the Dota 2 scene that attended every TI and Gustav ‘s4‘ Magnusson who could win his second Aegis with EG.
A new era to start
But things changed: for the first time since The International 2016 both teams are back at TI. Alliance started a new era with five young and talented players. Jonathan ‘Loda‘ Berg, the old legend, is leading them as a coach.
It took the Swedish organisation a while to find their way into the DPC, but this season was a success. In the end, Alliance finished in the top 12 of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit and earned a direct invite to TI9.
Na’Vi also restructured their squad at the beginning of the season. They benched good old Dendi and have built a new roster surrounding Akbar ‘SoNNeikO‘ Butaev. They had a lot of shaky performances throughout the season, but in the most important moment, Na’Vi struck against their opponents in the CIS qualifier and won.
We don’t know if they’ll end up in one group or if they are going to face in the playoffs. But just the thought of seeing two renewed sides brings back the old flair: Na’Vi vs. Alliance – the El Classico of Dota 2.
Source – https://www.joindota.com/en/start
