The 10 biggest surprises in esports

Large esports events now attract more spectators than ever, with fans cheering on their favourite teams at home in front of the screens or directly in the arena. While the big favourites usually have the most fans, they don’t always win. 

Even if the favourite is vastly superior, there are days when the underdog simply prevails. Today we show you the 10 biggest surprise moments in esports!

10. Astralis stumble on Complexity

Of all the possible outcomes in the 2020 BLAST Premier Spring Group Stage, this one was probably the least likely. So how did it happen? The start was the map veto against Astralis’ favourite map Nuke. After a strong start and a 5 to 0 lead on Dust 2 for Astralis, Complexity really got going and won Dust 2. While taking a map off Astralis is a good feat, almost everyone agreed that it wouldn’t be repeated on Vertigo. However, to everyone’s surprise, things turned out differently. After a 9:6 half-time, Astralis got only three rounds and Complexity created the sensation.

9. Vega Squadron take out the best team in the world

In the match between Vega Squadron and the Ninjas in Pajamas, everything was actually done. NiP just rose to world #1 a week prior to the match and the best-of-one was on their best map Cache. But Vega had a completely different idea because nothing was normal that day. The otherwise strong NiP were quickly 10-1 behind and in the end, lost 16-2. This is what can happen if you underestimate your opponent.

8. Complexity fails at XGN

Complexity again but this time in a different role. As the ultimate favourite against XGN at UGC Niagara 2014, they just looked bad. Yet nothing could go wrong. Complexity had just won 12 events in a row and they just became Call of Duty Champs. Incidentally, the reason for this is said to have been the consoles. Actually, in 2014 the XBOX 1 was already being played, except for this event, where they suddenly had to gamble on the XBOX 360.

7. G2 take on RNG

The Season 8 League of Legends Worlds was exceptionally good for Europe and North America. Exactly with these Worlds, G2 has also tackled RNG. As the number 1 seed from China, almost everyone would have guessed RNG, but this quarterfinal had its own rules. After 5 outstanding games, it was actually G2 who made it to the semi-finals.

6. Samsung Galaxy White spoil SKT finals

Staying with the League of Legends Worlds but this time in the 2017 finals. While Samsung played really well throughout the tournament, it was not foreseeable that they would be able to defeat the giants SKT. They didn’t give the team around Faker a chance and won 3-0. The image of the crying Faker probably stayed in many people’s minds to this day and even if he still had a lot of success afterwards, this final will certainly keep him busy.

5. Fnatic make the Evil Geniuses look pale

Fnatic couldn’t even come close to matching the Evil Geniuses in Rainbow Six Siege in 2018. And when Captain Magnet dropped out a few hours before the match and Coach Dizzle had to step in, the odds for them were even worse. Nevertheless, they managed the impossible and defeated EG in the quarterfinals of the Rainbow Six Pro League Season 8. This made them the first Australian team ever to reach the semifinals, which unfortunately ended there.

4. Mind freak play mind games with Team Liquid

Again Rainbow Six Siege, again in 2018 and again an Australian team that almost works a miracle. At the 2018 Six Invitational, no one expected Mindfreak to make it past the group stage. With Rogue, Room Factory and Team Liquid in the group, it was almost impossible. But after beating Room Factory 2-1, I guess they had a real boost of motivation. Against all expectations, they defeated the otherwise strong Team Liquid 2-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals. Black Dragons then waited there against which they then had no chance.

3. The Miracle of The International 2013

At the TI3 in 2013, LGD actually only had to fulfill the mandatory task against Team Liquid in the lower bracket in order to progress in the tournament. It should have been easy for the Chinese super team against the underdogs from America. LGD’s team comp was designed for the late game, but they got off to a good start right away. However, Team Liquid didn’t want to give up. With the TI on their homeground and the crowd behind them, they pulled off the impossible and defeated the match-up’s big favorite.

2. Team Empire embarrass themselves against Fnatic

Our second place was not so long ago — just 2 years. In the group stage of the 2020 Six Invitational, Team Empire faced Fnatic. To everyone’s surprise, Fnatic dominated the matchup from the start and easily sent the Russian team Empire home with a 2-0 lead despite being the clear favourite.

1. What happened there Astralis?

The biggest upset on our list goes to a Counter-Strike match between Astralis and North. There were a handful of favorites ahead of DreamHack Masters Stockholm 2018. But even with some strong finishes the previous year, North were hardly considered one of them. In the final, however, they completely shocked Astralis. On their own map pick, Dust2, they only managed to get a single round. They won 16-6 on Train, but North were better prepared for Overpass and unexpectedly won the decider. Astralis seemed paralyzed that day.