Two-time defending champions OG eliminated from TI10 after "ez" Team Spirit victory

The dream of OG securing a three-peat victory at Dota 2's most prestigious annual tournament, The International 10, is dead after Russian esports organisation, Team Spirit thwarted the two-time defending champions with a convincing 2-0 victory in Round 3 of the Lower Bracket.

The International 10 has attracted nothing but masterclass performances from all of the Dota 2 pro teams competing. This is understandably so, given that a lucrative $40 million prize pool is on the line. OG's defeat now sets the stage (quite literally) for a new team to triumph and wield the Aegis of Champions.

Two-time defending champions OG eliminated from TI10

Watching the series between OG and Team Spirit, it never truly felt like OG had control of the game.

During Match 1, Team Spirit stole the show in what was described as a "Cinderella story," ending getting a convincing 47-23 victory after about 45 minutes. In particular, Team Spirit's core player, Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek, truly stood out, going on a beyond godlike streak and netting an insane K/D/A of 20/1/5 as Ember Spirit.

Match 2 was hardly any better; for OG as TORONTOTOKYO bagged an ultra kill by the 20-minute mark, which undoubtedly crushed OG's morale and arguably solidified their victory. After only 30 minutes, Team Spirit closed the game 37-11 and secured their match against Virtus.pro in Round 4 of the Lower Bracket.

To add further insult to injury, the Russian core, TORONTOTOKYO, typed "ez game" into all chat, which sparked mass hysteria from Dota 2 fans across the world.

Team Secret buries OG with humiliating trash-talking on Twitter

While many Dota 2 fans criticised Team Spirit's snark comment, citing "unsportsmanlike" conduct, other fans felt as if OG had it coming.

Is typing ez game in a ti match really acceptable sportsmanship?

— Aui 2000 (@Aui_2000) October 15, 2021

Sébastien "Ceb" Debs (offlaner for OG) said that fans shouldn't "hate on the banter in-game," adding that "players never mean true harm."

Don’t hate on the banter in-game, beating @OGesports on the main stage must be a special kind of hype for young players. I know players never mean true harm, we all are competitors and respect each other’s. Rest is social media games. Good luck to @Team__Spirit further, wp today.

— Ceb (@Ceb) October 15, 2021

While this may be true, the crushing defeat certainly took a toll on some of OG's players, including veteran players N0tail and SumaiL, the latter of whom was meant to inspire new hope for OG.

The defending TI champions were nonetheless mortified by their loss, as the seasoned veterans became overwhelmed with emotions and buried their heads in their hands after losing the series.

Despite this, OG commended Team Spirit's superb performance on Twitter, saying: "The TI10 dream ends today for the double champion. We came to give our best, and we did. It wasn't enough. Team Spirit was the best team today; they deserve their result."

Ceb previously indicated that this would be his final run in the Dota 2 pro scene. "Losing is tough. I’m proud of everyone for what they gave this year. Team, staff and fans, you all stood strong," he said in a Twitter post.

Losing is tough. I’m proud of everyone for what they gave this year. Team, staff and fans, you all stood strong. I wished a different outcome for my last tournament, but I’m grateful for everything nonetheless. I gave it my all and came ready, but it wasn’t enough this time ❤️

— Ceb (@Ceb) October 15, 2021

"I wished [for] a different outcome for my last tournament, but I’m grateful for everything nonetheless. I gave it my all and came ready, but it wasn’t enough this time," Ceb added.

Team Secret buries OG with humiliating trash-talking on Twitter

Team Secret, on the other hand, was perhaps a bit more abrasive in their 'no chill' response to OG's loss, tweeting: "Arrogance requires advertising. Confidence speaks for itself. Thank you, Team Spirit, for taking out the trash."

Arrogance requires advertising. Confidence speaks for itself 🤫

Thank you @Team__Spirit for taking out the trash 🤝#TI10pic.twitter.com/dkCjEXSU2k

— Team Secret (@teamsecret) October 15, 2021

We'll leave it up to you to decide how you feel about this.

With that said, the games are definitely heating up, and we can't wait to see which teams will battle for the lion's share of the $40 million in The International 10 Grand Finals.

• Read more: The International 10 Fantasy Predictions for Main Event Day 5 and Grand Finals

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Featured image courtesy of Twitter / OG Esports.