In one way, the 2024 season has been all about the rivalry between Xtreme Gaming versus Team Spirit. Particularly, the two powerhouses’ carry players, Wang “Ame” Chunyu and Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk, have been at each other’s necks, trying to outclass one another.
As such, their Clavision Snow Ruyi finals clash is yet another showcase of the duo’s ongoing rivalry, although this clash had one clear winner.
Clavision Snow Ruyi (Image credit: Clavision)
The Clavision Snow Ruyi Grand Finals
There’s no better stage for Xtreme Gaming and Team Spirit than the Grand Finals. A decisive best-of-five series that will truly determine which team prevails.
Considering we are merely a month away from the International 2024 (TI13), the results at Clavision Snow Ruyi is rather crucial. For starters, it highlights Xtreme’s progressive improvements since the last time these two met. Before the Grand Finals, Xtreme Gaming also defeated Spirit in the Upper Bracket, making it a rematch for Spirit to settle the score.
Yet, Xtreme proved that their earlier victory was no mere fluke, when they swept the finals 3-1. And frankly, Team Spirit probably was satisfied with the outcome at Clavision Snow Ruyi, considering Xtreme Gaming’s showcase of drafts and execution. We saw Ame’s signature Terrorblade in action during game 1, which faced some turmoil, getting caught out in the enemy jungle in multiple instances. And Spirit’s supports, namely Grimstroke was such a powerful counter against Terrorblade’s attempt to Sunder on many occasions.
Despite that, Xtreme surprisingly managed to come out on top in this first round, albeit they had to prolong it into a 48-minute game. The second till fourth games were shorter, but showcased Xtreme’s versatile hero pool when they played 15 different heroes throughout the entire series. Sure, the latest Dota 2 Update 7.37 has leveled the playing field for every hero to potentially be a meta-ready pick. But, to experiment with such diversification at a high-stakes final is definitely a confident display of dominance.
Yatoro and Ame (Image credit: BetBoom)
Is Team Spirit falling behind?
To call Team Spirit out of shape would be poor judgement, considering Spirit themselves were at the top of their game throughout the Clavision Snow Ruyi. From placing top seeds in the group stage, to defeating every other opponent in playoffs, second only to Xtreme Gaming.
Many fans are criticising Spirit’s lacklustre performance after their premature elimination at Riyadh Masters 2024. However, it doesn’t change the fact that they are one of the best in the world.
Well, with barely a month before TI13, I believe Team Spirit shares the same sentiment with their fans that they have to improve quickly. After all, Team Spirit will debut at TI13 as defending Champions, so the stakes are high and their title are on the line.
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