The first Major of the 2017 season is upon us and it looks as though it will be amazing. The Kiev Major will take place from April 24th – April 30th. The event will be split into Group Stages followed by a single-elimination main event bracket. Let’s take a look at the Kiev Major Group Stage.
The Kiev Major Prize Pool
The prize pool of the tournament is $3,000,000 USD.
| Place | $ USD | Percent | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
 1st | $1,000,000 | 33.33% |  TBD |
 2nd | $500,000 | 16.67% | TBD |
 3rd-4th | $250,000 | 8.33% | TBD |
| TBD | |||
| place 5 to 16 | |||
| 5th-8th | $125,000 | 4.17% | TBD |
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| 9th-16th | $62,500 | 2.08% | TBD |
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
| TBD | |||
Courtesy of http://wiki.teamliquid.net/dota2/Kiev_Major/2017
Kiev Major Group Stage Format
For the first time at a Dota 2 event, Kiev will use the Swiss-system format. A format commonly seen at CS:GO events, it will be interesting to see if it creates better seeding heading into the main event.
- 16 teams are placed in a single group where they play in a Swiss-system format.
- Four rounds of matches.
- All matches are played in a Bo3.
- Opponents will always have the same Win/Loss record.
- Teams will never play an opponent twice.
- Round 1
- Initial eight matches are seeded.
- Round 2
- Divided into two groups:
- Winners of Round 1 (“high”)
- Losers of Round 1 (“low”)
- Teams will be drawn an opponent from their group.
- Divided into two groups:
- Round 3
- Divided into three groups:
- Teams with a record of 2-0 (“high”)
- Teams with a record of 1-1 (“mid”)
- Lastly, teams with a record of 0-2 (“low”)
- All teams will be drawn an opponent they have not played yet from their group.
- Winners of the high group are the highest seed for the playoffs.
- Losers of the low group are the lowest seed for the playoffs.
- Divided into three groups:
- Round 4
- Divided into two groups:
- Teams with a record of 2-1 (“high”)
- Teams with a record of 1-2 (“low”)
- All teams will be drawn an opponent they have not yet played from their group.
- Winners of the high group are the 2nd highest seed for the playoffs.
- Losers of the low group are the 2nd lowest seed for the playoffs.
- Divided into two groups:
Courtesy of http://wiki.teamliquid.net/dota2/Kiev_Major/2017/Group_Stage
The Kiev Major Group Stage – Round 1 Thoughts and Predictions
Team Secret v VG.J
In the first game of the first round, Team Secret will face off against VG.J. Both of these teams will likely finish in the middle of the pack somewhere. VG.J on paper are the stronger squad. However, outside of the second place at StarLadder, they have yet to live up to the hype.
Both Team Secret and VG.J have a point to prove at Kiev, this will be one of the closest series of the group stages. When the dust settles, I think Team Secret will take the series 2-1. Mainly because VG.J have been inconsistent in recent times. This is also Team Secret’s return to the Major’s after missing out on a place in Boston. Team Secret will be the sharper team heading into round one and should take a close series.
Invictus Gaming (IG) v Mousesports
No series on the road to a Major trophy is easy. However, Mousesports will be feeling unlucky with their round one match-up. Going up against one of the favorites and DAC winner, IG will be a huge challenge for the Greeks. This series will be the first that the former Ad Finem roster has played since the second place finish at the Boston Major. Since then they have changed orgs, failed to attend a single LAN and we have had a series of game changing patches. On the other hand, IG comes into this event in the form of a lifetime. A strong showing at DAC, which would eventually see them take home the crown, has catapulted them into a spot as favorites. IG and Mousesports are at opposite ends of the spectrum and IG should sweep the Greeks 2-0.
Team Random v IG.Vitality
In the only all domestic match-up, Team Random will take on IG.V. This series looks to be another close match-up with both teams experiencing mixed form. Team Random, formerly Team Wings, are searching to recover the form they had leading up to TI6. IG.V are looking to establish themselves as a top team. Team Random have the stronger set of players but seem to out mind game themselves in most games. Team Random showed flashes of genius during DAC, but normally it was too little too late. IG.V, on the other hand, showed promise during DAC finishing in fourth place. At DAC IG.V started slowly and for this reason I am backing Team Random to take the series 2-1.
OG v SG esports
Favorites for the event OG take on newcomers SG in their first group stage game. For SG this series will be the hardest best of three they have most likely ever played. The current OG team are the most consistent team heading into the event. Since November, the lowest placing they have had is 3rd – 4th. Not bad for a team that everyone always rules out. SG will have to pull out a miracle to take the series from OG, think TNC at TI6. OG will come into the series full of confidence and will take it 2-0.
Liquid v Thunderbirds
This series is my one to watch heading into the first round. Two teams who have championship pedigree but are currently having some issues. Liquid are more up and down than a yo-yo. They place first at StarLadder and then finish 9th – 12th at DAC. Liquid are another team that on paper should be challenging for every title. However, for whatever reason, they are struggling to convert talent into ability in-game. Thunderbirds, formerly DC, have struggled since winning ESL One Genting in January. The team has been struggling in-game and out of it. With the team now leaving DC, it is possible that they will make a return to winning ways. Similarly to Secret v VG.J, both these teams will likely finish in the middle of the pack. This is a difficult series to call, but I have Liquid edging it 2-1.
Faceless v Virtus Pro (VP)
Kiev will be the first LAN that VP have attended since January. Starting off with a series against Faceless will be a tough test for VP. Faceless come into the event the same as always, dominant in SEA, disappointing internationally. VP come into Kiev with strong domestic form in the last few months. This is series will set the tone for both teams heading further into the event. Will VP choke again, will it be same old Faceless? Faceless are on the cusp of a strong performance. However, VP are the team in form at the moment and I have them taking the series 2-1.
Digital Chaos (DC) v Newbee
In their first series as DC, the former Team Onyx squad will face off against Newbee. Newbee are one of the more consistent teams heading into the event with a first, second and third place finish in the three events they have attended in 2017. On the other hand, this will be DC’s first LAN event as a team. The nerves will be high for the new squad, especially with the controversy surrounding their move to the DC banner. Newbee are looking to go into the later rounds of the tournament and a strong performance in round one will set the tone. I have Newbee taking the series 2-0
Evil Geniuses (EG) v TNC Pro Team
EG v TNC on paper should be a relatively easy matchup for the North American powerhouse. However, if one thing is certain in Dota it’s that EG always start slow. EG come into the event with questions hanging over the roster. The performance at DAC raised more questions on whether the roster is strong enough to be consistently at the top. On paper EG has one of the strongest rosters in the world, they just can’t seem to click consistently.
TNC come into Kiev in the same spot they always are, underdogs. TNC have had an up and down 2017, which has included winning WESG. Furthermore, TNC have been hit and miss domestically, which is concerning considering the lack of tier one times in SEA. I have EG taking the series but it will be a close 2-1.
Kiev Major Group Stage – Final Thoughts
Every event since Boston has been building up to the Kiev Major. The first Major of 2017 will be hotly contested with at least five teams strong favorites to take the event. Near the top should be the likes of OG, IG, VP and EG. Teams like Secret, Liquid and Thunderbirds have questions to answer moving into the build up to TI7. At the other end, SG esports are looking to capture the hearts of fans as TNC and Ad Finem have done before them.
The new group stage format will provide more consistent seeding heading into the single-elimination main event. Teams that start slow will have the chance to repair things and get a decent seed for bracket play.
For more in-depth coverage of each region check out my Regional Roulette series:
South East Asia
The Americas
Europe and CIS
China
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What are your thoughts on the round one matchups? Let me know in the comments below.
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