Despite not making it past the semifinals at ESL One Birmingham, OG had a memorable run, as shared by British Dota star Ari in an exclusive interview with Online Esports. Ari discussed the team’s improved mentality, performance, and a humorous incident at a Greggs store.
Ari received a warm reception from his home crowd, which he found unusual but enjoyable. He appreciated the lack of jet lag and long travel times, but emphasized that the game’s intensity remained the same. He stated, “Once you’re in the game, it’s just the same thing. You’re just in the game… You don’t really think about winning. You don’t really think about the stakes. You just think about the game in front of you.” Despite not winning the trophy, Ari and OG gained valuable experience.
OG secured the top spot in Group B at ESL One Birmingham’s opening stage, winning one game against Xtreme Gaming and drawing with their other opponents. They didn’t suffer any series losses until the upper bracket semifinals against BetBoom, but they quickly recovered in the lower bracket quarters by dominating G2.iG.
Ari believes that performing well in a major tournament like ESL Birmingham provides a foundation for future tournaments. He expressed optimism about upcoming challenges and emphasized the importance of a good team structure.
Although OG didn’t win the ESL One Birmingham title, their performance was commendable. They won game two in their lower bracket semifinal best-of-three with the Falcons, displaying strong communication and team dynamics.
Ari credits the team’s progress to their consistent efforts to improve their dynamics. He also expressed his respect for team captain, Ceb, who has two wins at The International and numerous other tier-one trophies. Ari described Ceb as a grounding force for the team.
While in the UK, Ari attempted to introduce his team to the popular pastry chain, Greggs, but his manager’s poor choice of pastry left the team unimpressed. Ari, like many Brits, considers the steak bake as the ultimate Greggs snack.
ESL One Birmingham concluded with BetBoom facing Falcons after a dominant tournament run. Teams are now preparing for the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, aiming to secure their place in the competition for a share of the $60,000,000 prize pool. Ari and his team are also looking to secure their spot.
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