How does The International 2019 live offstage?

The International 2019 has already started. And it means that teams will have a difficult path to the grand final, which consists of many matches with equal opponents. Besides the gaming part, the flip side of the coin also deserves the viewers’ attention. How teams prepare and also what happens behind esportsmen’s backs. This and other things in our today’s review of interesting events, which surround the main tournament of the season.

How one of the best teams in the Chinese region is preparing for the tournament

The team PSG.LGD like the rest of the participants of The International 2019 emphasizes a bootcamp while preparing for the main tournament of the season. At first glance, what can be unusual? But actually, the Chinese team was living by a strict daily schedule, it is easier only in the army.>

There were the following rules:

• Mobile phones and social networks are forbidden. You can take a phone for only 30 minutes a day with the permission of a coach but social networks should be deleted.
• Training days are set from Monday to Saturday. The players have to sit in front of a computer to 13:00 (local time) these days.
• Smoking in a gaming room is strictly forbidden.

Besides the rules, the organization has prepared big penalties for players. A player could receive a penalty in the sum of 145 dollars for being late on a training. Unsanctioned use of a mobile phone or social networks led to a money fine in the sum of 435 dollars.

A small joke on an opponent

It is a common fact that organizations actively promote themselves on social media. The team OG doesn’t miss trends, having posted a very small picture with their opponent’s logo, which was the Chinese team Vici Gaming, on its Twitter account.

The Chinese responded to the humiliating gesture from their opponents immediately, having offered a way smaller option.

OG fixed everything at once, having posted a normal size of Vici Gaming’s logo. What a simple fight before a match. UFC fighters do something similar before their fights. But it is done to increase interest in a fight. Who knows, could OG hire new PR employees?

The Chinese love Dota

That’s how the underground near Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai looks. It reflects that esports is becoming closer to the usual sports in this country. The atmosphere is literally in the air. Posters and banners decorate not only a way to the arena but even underground.

Virtus.pro are having fun

Virtus.pro posted a few videos on YouTube right before the start of the tournament, in which the players tried to answer questions. The first video earned more than 240 thousands of views. On it, the players of the Russian team were trying to answer questions about the life of their teammate. If you answer wrong, you receive a blast from a water pistol right into your face. The second video was made in a far more gentle way. The players were trying to answer questions in 5 seconds. Did the guys from Virtus.pro manage to answer all questions correctly or not? You can always find out by watching videos on the team’s official channel.

Team Liquid’s new uniform

Team Liquid presented a new uniform right before The International 2019. The form is made in black-and-blue colors with yellow and white elements. The remarkable thing is that a star, which is a symbol of Liquid’s victory at The International 2017, is above the team’s logo. All the information appeared on the team’s official Twitter account.

Issues with Ninjas in Pyjamas’ uniform

Ninjas in Pyjamas revealed their gaming uniform shortly before Team Liquid. Everything could be good but the initial version was quickly rejected by the fans of the team, which were not satisfied with violet-and-grey stains. The situation became even worse with the fact that the head of the team was not able to explain the meaning of this design element. As a result, Ninjas in Pyjamas responded quickly to the fans’ criticism and remade the uniform.

That’s what the stories happened around The International 2019. The first matches have already passed and it means that the final match for the right to be called the winner of the tournament will be played very soon.