After the completion of WePlay AniMajor 2021, high-end Dota 2 was not long in coming. A very important tournament starts today - ESL One Summer 2021.
The ESL Summer Tournament is important, first of all, because it is a kind of preparation for the regional qualifiers for The International. And the lineup of the participants here is very solid.
This is very clearly evidenced by the opening match between OG and AS Monaco Gambit. We haven't seen inter-regional battles between Europe and the CIS for a long time. Even more excitement is caused by the recent changes in both teams: Ana left OG and SumaiL came, and AS Monaco Gambit faced staffing problems in the Major.
Let's try to predict the outcome of the starting fight. It will be easy.
Form OG
Whatever one may say, the favorite of this meeting is seen by OG, which they are rather de facto. The name works for OG, although the European five have not shown their former results for a long time.
Notail and company missed two Majors this season, playing as loose and frivolous as possible. This is indicated by the performance in recent matches of OG.
OG Latest Results
- Win over Secret 2-0
- Lose to Nigma 0-2
- Lose to Liquid 0-2
- Win over Brame 1-0
- Lose at Tundra 1-0
OG miraculously remained in the top division in the second season. Perhaps the problems were related to motivation within the roster: OG recently announced the departure of ana, who retired from his career.
When the first position player leaves after the season, you can guess that things were not going very smoothly in the team. Whether it is true or not, we will not know, but we already know that Ana will replace SumaiL.
AS Monaco Gambit Form
AS Monaco Gambit had a very difficult season. After the departure of SoNNeiKo and Noone, the team remained bloodless and in an emergency mode they had to look for replacements for the eliminated players.
They found this replacement and showed a decent result on WePlay AniMajor. AS Monaco Gambit weren't whipping boys, which is good news.
AS Monaco Gambit Latest Results
- Draw with Team Secret 1-1
- Defeat the Nigma 0-2
- Draw against Execration 1-1
- Lose at Vici Gaming 0-2
- Draw vs IG 1-1
In very unfavorable conditions, Gambit managed to impose a fight and squeezed the card from Secret, the champions of the last season IG and Execration, which already commands respect.
After the Major, the team trained hard for the closed qualifiers. I think that already at ESL One Summer we will see the first fruits of these trainings.
Personal meeting history
OG and AS Monaco Gambit managed to play several episodes among themselves. It is noteworthy that out of the last 5 games, Gambit won 4 meetings, while OG won only 1 time.
Match outcome
Despite the fact that OG are a clear favorite, in this match, as for me, you should not expect an easy walk.
AS Monaco Gambit have already shown their character and desire to win, and I think they will continue to do so at ESL One Summer 2021.
Outcome: handicap +1.5 on Gambit.
