Team Falcons advances to the TI2025 playoffs and becomes the last ticket winner

The knockout stage of the 2025 Dota 2 International Invitational (TI2025) came to an end. The Western European powerhouse Team Falcons swept the two-time champion Team Spirit 2-0 to win the last playoff ticket.

At this point, the eight teams that advanced to the playoffs have all been announced: Team Falcons, Xtreme Gaming, Team Tidebound, BetBoom Team, HEROIC, Nigma Galaxy, PARIVISION and Tundra Esports.

The Falcons' road to the knockout stage was a hellish one. They won consecutive games against Nemesis and Tundra in the group stage, only to suffer three-game setbacks to Xtreme Gaming and Tidebound, forcing them to relegate to the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Spirit's group stage record was a mere 2-3, with wins over Wildcard and Tundra, but also losses to PARIVISION and Aurora Gaming, demonstrating their fluctuating form.

The first game of the knockout stage was a resounding success. In a 76-minute, stalemate, Yatoro, using his Oracle and equipped with Holy items, attempted to steal the Ancient, nearly saving his life. However, the Falcons, in a crucial moment, surrendered their defensive runes, successfully defending the Ancient and counterattacking the core. Spirit then attempted another sneak attack, but was caught and killed by the Falcons, forcing them to call a game over.

The second game was a one-sided affair. Led by Malr1ne's Sand King and ATF's Monkey King, the Falcons completely dominated the Spirit team, unable to recover and ending the match after just 45 minutes. Malr1ne finished with a whopping 15 kills and 18 assists, while Skiter's Weaver finished the game with zero deaths.

With the Falcons' advancement, the TI 2025 playoffs are now officially confirmed. The tournament will be held at the Barclays Center from September 11th to 14th, featuring a double-elimination format, with all teams starting in the upper bracket. With the exception of the Grand Final, which will be a best-of-five series, all other matches will be best-of-three. The winning team will receive the Aegis of Champions, the ultimate honor.