Thunder Awaken qualify for The International 12

Thunder Awaken entered the South American qualifier for The International 12 as the clear favorite. Nobody could imagine a different team competing at TI besides the two giants from the region, Evil Geniuses and beastcoast.

But after a promising start, Thunder lost against Keyd Stars, who would go on to win the qualifier. Initially, everyone was shocked. But now that we look back, the results shouldn’t have been that surprising. After all, Keyd have some of the best players in South America: Guilherme “Costabile” Costabile and Danylo “Kingrd” Nacimento.

After this painful loss, Thunder went on to defeat three opponents in the lower bracket. The first two matches were quite challenging and needed three games to conclude. The last was anticlimactic and ended after just two relatively short games that lasted 35 minutes each.

We are in the international ⛈️
Thanks to all the people who have been supporting us since the beginning of this new project, 6 years behind esports in South America and we are going for more #NEWTHUNDER pic.twitter.com/Vw2PTzbT5U

— THUNDER AWAKEN (@ThunderAwaken_) August 27, 2023

Thunder Awaken vs. Qhali: 2-1

Qhali won game 1 and made Thunder’s lineup panic a bit. Games 2 and 3 lasted more than 40 minutes and were won with some difficulty by the favorite side. But in the end, Thunder emerged victorious. Their core heroes were Ember Spirit, Sven, Huskar, Morphling, and Beastmaster (twice).

Thunder Awaken vs. Mad Kings: 2-1

This was another match in which Thunder started poorly. The first game could have easily demoralized them because it lasted 62 minutes and ended in defeat, even though they had a 2000 gold lead at minute 9.

The second and third games were extremely easy and lasted just 56 minutes combined. The heroes played by Thunder were Medusa, Ember Spirit, Invoker, Troll Warlord, and Dark Seer (twice).

It seems that Thunder enjoy using a stable offlaner and building the rest of the draft around that hero. Against each opponent, they tend to enter the battle knowing in advance what the best combinations will be.

Thunder Awaken vs. AcatSuki: 2-0

In the Grand Final, AcatSuki tried to use a draft that heavily relies on magical damage in game 1 but it didn’t work against a Morphling and a Lycan. In game 2, they went for a more versatile combination of heroes: Leshrac, Sven, and Legion Commander. Thunder Awaken stuck to their usual heroes and won with ease.

We don’t see Treant Protector and Drow Ranger that often these days, but the SA squad played these heroes to perfection.

We’ll have to see, however, what they can do at The International 12, against the likes of EG and beastcoast.

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