As the Riyadh Masters 2025 Dota 2 tournament kicks off, anticipation is high for the Group Stage clashes. Among the most watched will be the opening match for The International 12 champions, Team Spirit, who are set to face off against China`s Xtreme Gaming. Team Spirit`s midlane powerhouse, Denis `Larl` Sigitov, offered his perspective ahead of this key encounter.
Speaking on the eve of the match, Larl acknowledged the significance of their first Group Stage game at the prestigious Saudi Arabian event. His comments, shared by the team, quickly highlighted their previous meeting with Xtreme Gaming at PGL Wallachia Season 1. In that series, Team Spirit secured a convincing 2-0 victory – a performance Larl candidly described as “not difficult.”
While reflecting on that past encounter with a perhaps understated confidence, Larl was quick to temper expectations for the rematch. He noted the likelihood that Xtreme Gaming will have analyzed their previous games and will come into Riyadh Masters significantly better prepared. However, he also emphasized that Team Spirit has certainly not faltered in their own preparation and level of play since their last meeting.
The Riyadh Masters 2025 runs from July 8th to July 19th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Esports World Cup series. The Dota 2 portion features a substantial $3 million prize pool, with the champion taking home a cool million dollars. 16 elite teams from around the globe are competing.
The Group Stage match between Team Spirit and Xtreme Gaming is scheduled for July 8th at 12:00 Moscow Time. The series will be played in a best-of-two (Bo2) format, meaning a 2-0 win earns three points, a 1-1 draw earns one point for each team, and a 0-2 loss earns zero. Points are crucial for advancing from the demanding group stage.
With Larl`s confident, if slightly provocative, assessment of their last meeting adding an extra layer of intrigue, the opening match between these two formidable squads promises to be a fascinating contest, setting the tone for Team Spirit`s Riyadh Masters campaign.