ESL One Birmingham 2026

My take

I know that Xtreme looks really comfortable in this patch. But the worst match-up for them is Team Yandex, because they usually push at around the 30-minute mark. It means that the game will NOT be dragged into the late game.

✓ Aftermath

Such a weird draft by Xtreme. I feel like they did the exact same mistake as Aurora against PARIVISION. WHY the hell would you pick this beast carrier for Ame? They already have a KOTL mid (which is useless). Who is going to be the damage dealer?

My take

Here we go, boys! Grand finals are here. Today's pick is Tundra Esports, hands down. They already won against Team Yandex, and I believe that they are scarier in mid- to late-game scenarios. Yes, Yandex can take a map, but overall Tundra is just better in every aspect.

✓ Aftermath

Tundra Esports is the ESL ONE Birmingham champion! I hate to say, but I told you. How they turned around that game 2, where I thought Yandex would lead the series with a 2:0, was a thing of beauty. Honestly, I don't think the patch made them better, because before the release, they also didn't lose a single match.

My take

A very tough match to predict. But I believe that PARIVISION is on fire right now; they have a ton of momentum and aren't scared to fight. Now, Aurora was looking kind of squishy against Tundra, to be honest. I'm going with PARIVISION to win this.

✓ Aftermath

Clean swipe by PARIVISION in both games. I personally don't get this beast pick for Nightfall in either map. This dude is a heavy farmer and usually doesn't engage in fights. What is the point of picking a fighting-type carry for him?

My take

So, we have the best 5-man squad (Team Yandex) vs a team that can turn around any game (Tundra Esports). I am leaning towards Team Yandex to win, just because I believe in this patch; they are slightly better in mid-game execution. If the game goes to a late scenario, Tundra Esports is the most dangerous team.

✓ Aftermath

Pfff… Tundra is unstoppable, guys. I believe that they will be champions of ESL One Birmingham. How can you win against them? Is that even possible?

My take

Nobody is beating PARIVISION in this Lower Bracket run. Satanic and Noone are on a different level in this patch. The only fear remains Ame in the late-game.

✗ Aftermath

I am starting to think that Xtreme is just playing with me. Did you notice that they ALWAYS lose the first map and then bounce back and win the next 2?

My take

I know you will say that I am insane. But I will go with Xtreme to win this. I don't think MOUZ can push that fast. I believe that this BO3 will get dragged out late and Ame will dismantle MOUZ. Mark my words.

✓ Aftermath

I hate to say, but I told you. Man, after that game 1, I thought that Xtreme had no chance, but then we go back to the usual MOUZ problem: If yolo doesn't work, they can't win.

My take

I really love PARIVISION. But I believe that Falcons are just better in a BO3 scenario. Just think about it; the only thing where PARIVISION is better is the safe lane. What about the other 2? Maybe mid is somewhat equal, but when we go to the offlane, the gap is huge. I am going with Falcons to win this BO3.

✗ Aftermath

Oh my God…PARIVISION just dismantled Falcons. I can’t believe how good they are looking in this new patch. How did they bounced back from almost going home after the Group Stage to this?! HOW????

My take

Based on what we saw today from Xtreme, we will go with Team Spirit. I believe that they are way better in terms of farming and macro. Even if they go to late-game, Yatoro should outfarm Ame without any issues.

✗ Aftermath

Nooooooooo! They lost to a beast carry…

My take

This is probably the highest-level series here. Yandex is insanely clean, maybe even the cleanest team in the tournament. But Spirit… they are just different when it comes to BO3. With all being said, we can't go against Team Yandex here; I believe that they are one of the best teams in ESL One Birmingham.

✓ Aftermath

Wow, Spirit did take a map from Yandex, but it made Watson even more angry and then he destroyed Team Spirit in the last game.

My take

Tundra looks amazing when they control mid-game, but Aurora is just more stable overall. They don’t fall for chaotic fights, and their drafts are way more consistent. Also, mechanically, Aurora just feels sharper right now. Tundra can absolutely take a game if they snowball early, but in a longer series, I trust Aurora to adapt and shut them down.

✗ Aftermath

It is just so hard to beat Tundra Esports, I swear to God. They could've won 2:0 if BZM hadn't run directly into Phoenix's egg. I think Tundra just can turn around ANY game; they can outfarm you, they can find better team fights, and so on.

My take

MOUZ is way too yolo for a team like Yandex. You can’t play chaotic, greedy Dota against a team that just chokes you out with clean 5-man execution. Unless MOUZ snowballs hard early, I don’t see them taking a map.

✓ Aftermath

Man, 30 minutes of maps, a flawless game by Watson. What do you want more of? Who is going to win against this team? Who can at least show some competition?

My take

BetBoom has a lot to lose if they lose even one map to Gamer Legion. But I just can't trust their execution; they can't push the high ground and are afraid to take fights. But still, BetBoom on the last day of the group stage always deliver.

✓ Aftermath

OMG, Gaben heard my prayers; BetBoom won. And this means that we are going with the tierbreakers between PARIVISION, Gamer Legion, and BetBoom. I told you that BetBoom somehow always delivers on the last day.

My take

After what I saw today, it is safe to say that PARIVISION is unable to win games. I don't know; they seem lost; they don't know what to do on the map. Imagine that I am going with a draw on a match that should be heavy in PARIVISION's favor.

✗ Aftermath

I lost the prediction, but I am happy that PARIVISION won. They needed this win more than ever. Now, let's just hope BetBoom will win against Gamer Legion so we can have our tiebreakers.

My take

This is just a gap in discipline. REKONIX relies on weird picks and chaos, and Tundra doesn’t fall for that. If the game is even remotely structured (no weird picks, like that Tinker for Pure), Tundra controls everything.

✓ Aftermath

New patch and Pure bought a rapier on his DK at the 28-minute mark. This shows the level of the competition here.

My take

The only way I am looking at it is this way. Can OG take a map from Xtreme? OG can absolutely steal a game if they snowball early. At the same time, if Ame gets space, OG just collapses.

✗ Aftermath

OG looked sloppy. Imagine that Xtreme made it look east (you need to understand that Xtreme is not the best team in the ESL). To me, OG needs to change the coach or go back to their old gameplay where they fight non-stop.

My take

Spirit is just too disciplined. Nigma can have moments, but they rely on fast execution and early games. Spirit doesn’t give that. If Yatoro gets his game, this is over.

✓ Aftermath

With this win, Team Spirit secured an upper bracket slot for the ESL One Birmingham.

My take

Very awkward matchup. VP wants to farm and scale; Falcons want to drag games and outplay with drafts. I can easily see both teams taking one depending on tempo. But, if SaberLight feeds like he did yesterday, they will lose the game.

✗ Aftermath

Pff, the last time when I saw a WK carry was like 2 years ago. I would say that the VP didn't have a bad performance, but they clearly lack structure and feed too much.

My take

The new patch is here, but I don't think this will help Pain Gaming in any way. Aurora Gaming is just too good; I don't think anyone can beat them from Group B.

✓ Aftermath

Doom carry, Alchemist carry, I have a feeling that this patch will bring back more carry heroes in the pool. As for the game, Aurora just destroyed Pain Gaming in both maps.

My take

PARIVISION already lost 2:0 against GL. BUT, we have a new patch, I’m going with PARI to win this tiebreaker!

✓ Aftermath

This is what you call a comeback. And I am not talking about a game comeback but a team comeback. Imagine that PARIVISION had 3% to qualify for the playoffs, and they did! Congratulations and good luck further.

My take

MOUZ is one of those teams where you never know what version shows up, but against Tundra I don’t think that matters that much. Tundra just looks too solid right now—lanes are stable, drafts make sense, and they don’t give those free throws anymore. If this goes to the late game, it’s completely over for MOUZ.

✓ Aftermath

Not bad at all from MOUZ, to be honest. They were ahead in game 2, but I see the same mistakes over and over again. When they are ahead, they try to find ANY kill on the map and end up losing the farm. Just look at Pure, how he outfarmed the whole MOUZ in the last 8 minutes.

My take

This is just a bad matchup for GL. They rely too much on individual plays, while Yandex plays that clean 5-man Dota where they choke you out slowly. Unless RCY completely takes over mid-game, I don’t see how GL wins even a single map.

✓ Aftermath

I will say it one more time: Yandex is a real contender to win the ESL One Birmingham. Again, 2 clean games, no overextension, no feeding. They are really scary in mid-game.

My take

Ulalla, what a match to see. If you had asked me yesterday, I would've said that BetBoom shall win 2:0. But, after we saw what YB can do, I believe that they will take a map from BetBoom, and even worse, if BetBoom doesn't push in the mid game, they can actually lose.

✗ Aftermath

Hoohohoho, BetBoom even had a comeback in game 2. Honestly, I expected more from YB in this match, maybe because BetBoom is really scary against the teams that don't win lanes?

My take

PARI hasn’t looked great, but this is the type of team they should beat. REKONIX doesn’t really pressure enough, and if PARI gets even a small lead, they should be able to control the game. Honestly, if PARIVISION even loses one map, they are out of ESL One Birmingham.

✓ Aftermath

Extremely happy for PARIVISION. It was domination from start to finish; I think this win gives them a morale boost, and maybe they can bounce back.

My take

Two inconsistent teams with completely different problems. PARI struggles to close; MOUZ struggles to stay stable. This feels like one of those messy series where both teams make mistakes and end up trading maps.

✗ Aftermath

Sad to watch, to be honest. Both games they pick have this morph for Satanic, and in both games they can't reach even the mid-game. You see, when you bet all your horses on Satanic and pray that he will carry you in late game, this is what happens: you lose in 25 minutes.

My take

I don’t like this for BetBoom at all. Yandex is exactly the type of team that punishes overextensions and bad fights, and BetBoom does that a lot. How are you going to fight a team that is countering your whole playstyle?

✓ Aftermath

Yandex countered and absolutely destroyed BetBoom in both games.

My take

YB improved a lot, but this is still a huge gap in discipline. Tundra won’t give them the kind of chaotic fights they need. If the game is even remotely structured, Tundra just wins.

✗ Aftermath

Wow, how YB came back on that map 2 is something to be studied. They stayed on the high ground with the Rapier TA and then destroyed Tundra.

My take

Do you realize that GL won 2:0 against PARIVISION and took a map from Tundra? I am going with GL to win; they seem really good in mid-game. On the other hand, REKONIX is not really convincing… They barely had a draw with YB.

✓ Aftermath

People need to start taking Gamer Legion seriously. If you don't ban the KEZ for RCY, you are going to lose the game. REKONIX tried in map two with a Hail Mary pick (Meepo), but they lost without a chance, and they are going home.

My take

OG is way too kill-focused, and they forget about the map way too often. Aurora, on the other hand, plays super clean mid-game. If OG doesn’t snowball early, this will look very one-sided.

✓ Aftermath

Clean, simple, and absolutely beautiful.

My take

Spirit is just more disciplined in every aspect. VP can farm well, but against a team like Spirit, that’s not enough. If Yatoro gets his game, this is over. One more thing, if Larl loses the lane (like he did yesterday), Spirit will throw a game.

✓ Aftermath

Say what you want, but if you let Yatoro farm for 20 minutes, you will lose any game. This dude is the GOAT for a reason.

My take

Xtreme is stronger on paper, but I don’t trust them at all. They always find a way to take bad fights. Nigma, surprisingly, looks more stable lately. This feels like a split series.

✓ Aftermath

Funny thing, Nigma still have this spark in them. They try to finish the game very quickly; that's how they took a map from Xtreme in 20 minutes. xD

My take

paiN relies a lot on chaotic fights, but Falcons, when they hit their drafts, just run over teams. I don’t think paiN can handle that kind of pressure consistently.

✗ Aftermath

OMG, Pain Gaming took that map 1 with a beast carry from Wits. Why do Falcons keep picking this Abbadon?

My take

I can easily see Xtreme taking a game if Ame gets space, but Spirit should also secure one. I think both teams have kind of the same problem with the execution of the draft.

✗ Aftermath

Again, this is Medusa from Yatoro. Man, you can't let him have it. The guy is known to be the best hard-carry player in the last 5 years for a reason…

My take

OG is just too unstable for this kind of matchup. Falcons can draft weird stuff and completely take over the game. If OG makes mistakes early, this can get ugly very fast. More than that, I don't think this is news for you, but OG is not ready for ESL One Birmingham. We will go with a draw here.

✓ Aftermath

Do you know why the Falcons lost game 2? Because they picked a void for Skiter, what was he going to do with it? He is not a hard-carry player; he had no damage at all.

My take

Aurora’s 5-man play is just too good. VP is more passive and relies on farming, and I don’t think they will have the time to come online. Aurora should control both games.

✓ Aftermath

Now, just make a comparison between Nightfall and Skitter on Void. Do you see the difference? Now you understand why I am always saying DO NOT PICK a hard carry for a guy who can't farm.

My take

Both teams have clear issues. Pain depends on chaos; Nigma depends on… honestly, I don’t even know sometimes. This is just a messy BO2 — feels like a split. Yes, Nigma is slightly stronger, but after yesterday, I can see Wits and the boys taking a map from them.

✓ Aftermath

Looks like Medusa today is unbeatable. Nigma Galaxy won game 2 just because of that.

My take

Both teams are inconsistent in different ways. PARI plays structured Dota, but BetBoom relies heavily on winning lanes. This screams split series.

✓ Aftermath

Kind of funny. Both teams have the same issue: they can't finish the game. You noticed even in game one, where BetBoom was leading, they couldn't break the high ground. And I think this is an issue with all the CIS teams.

My take

I expect an easy 2:0 from Tundra Esports.

✗ Aftermath

RCY won the game solo for GL. This KEZ mid was an absolute monster. I would also need to add that Tundra almost lost game 1 as well; they won purely because BZM on Tiny was setting up fights.

My take

We're going with MOUZ on this; they are top of Group A, and they really played well yesterday. On the other hand, YB is just lost; I don't think they can do something against MOUZ.

✗ Aftermath

Lool, MOUZ just lost 2:0 against YB. Not only that, but they lost without any chances. Ghost on carry is a real improvement for YB.

My take

Expect a 2:0 from Yandex. I think they will play really fast and close the game early.

✓ Aftermath

No guys, Yandex is indeed really strong. And I am not talking about skill-wise; I am talking about 5-man Dota. They and maybe Aurora have the best 5-man strategy.

My take

This should be one of the most high-skilled Dota games in the tournament. I understand that Tundra is the clear favorite here (based on what we saw yesterday), but Yandex, if they get momentum and play as 5, are just better in execution. We're going with a draw.

✓ Aftermath

What a clean execution by both teams. Honestly? I think Yandex is a little bit more scary than Tundra (even though Pure did a rampage on his SF in map 2). But Yandex looks slightly more composed in my eyes.

My take

I want to risk it here; I believe BetBoom is really good against MOUZ just because they farm way more than them. I don't think Gpk will let MidOne play on his cheesy heroes like he did yesterday against Gamer Legion.

✗ Aftermath

MOUZ absolutely destroyed BetBoom. I don't get this team. They can lose 2:0 against Yakult Brothers but then bully BetBoom into a 2:0 submission? Explain to me how that makes sense.

My take

As much as I dislike PARIVISION lately, I will still go with them to win. It would be mind-blowing if they threw even 1 map to Gamer Legion.

✗ Aftermath

It was sad to watch. Man, how do you go from the most feared team in the whole scene to losing 2:0 against Gamer Legion? I really hope PARIVISION can find a way to stay in the scene; I would not like them to disband because of some poor results in the last 2 tournaments.

My take

Going with a draw? There is nothing to discuss here; YB and REKONIX are just unpredictable.

✓ Aftermath

Man, I was soooo stressed about game 2. I never thought that REKONIX could make it happen, but they did with InYourDream on that Invoker. They BARELY managed to get the win after the last team fight. Still, I am really impressed by how Ghost (and even MooN) is playing for the Yakult Brothers.

My take

I don't trust Team Falcons at all. But Spirit also doesn't look that dominant in this ESL One Birmingham. So, we're going with a draw.

✗ Aftermath

If you try to play the long game with Flacons, that's what you get. The Falcons are known to drag the game until they suffocate you. I think Spirit needed to be more active in the early game, to be honest.

My take

Aurora all the way. There is no doubt in my mind that Aurora will win this series 2:0.

✓ Aftermath

It's funny how Aurora Gaming can flex on the Heroes. When I saw that SF pick, I thought it would be the carry SF for Nightfall, but no, it was an SF mid for Mikoto. This is what makes them really dangerous.

My take

Both teams are kind of the same. OG snowballs early, and they can win the map, but VP farms more, and they are much scarier in the late game. I will go with a draw here, but VP is slightly better.

✓ Aftermath

You see? This is exactly how it played out: if OG plays fast, they win. If they let VP into the late game, they lose because VP is better in mid-game to late-game scenarios.

My take

This is the last time I'm going with Xtreme to win. If they lose against Pain Gaming, it's over for them, and they will go home.

✗ Aftermath

Wow, paiN gaming really did take one map from Xtreme. What did I tell you? This kid Wits is really good; he ragdolled Xtreme with his SF.

My take

OG looks squishy, guys; I don't think they can steal a map from Spirit whatsoever. Yesterday they BARELY won against Pain Gaming.

✓ Aftermath

It went exactly as I predicted; they let Yatoro farm and then tried to run for kills, which is a mistake to do against a team like Team Spirit. But OG is really struggling in this tournament; I don't see the old OG. Where is that early game aggression? Where are the full items, Natsumi?

My take

The only way Aurora can lose this is if Ame gets to late-game. But Nightfall has a similar playstyle where he farms a LOT. I will go with Aurora to win this.

✓ Aftermath

I really like how Aurora is playing; they never let Xtreme get to late game. This is a good example of why Aurora is countering Xtreme with this strategy. Why would they let Ame in late game?

My take

We will go with the Falcons just for the simple fact that Nigma doesn't push early. And if this game gets dragged to late game, I trust Falcons slightly more.

✓ Aftermath

Falcons woke up from yesterday, and they delivered a clean 2:0. BUT, I need to highlight that this new carry from Nigma is NOT bad at all; the guy was top of the food chain in both maps. And Skiter also deserves the praise; this dude went with a 40-4-31 KDA.

My take

I am leaning towards VP to win this. The only win condition Pain Gaming has is that kid Wits. But I believe Timado will outfarm him in the late game.

✓ Aftermath

I overestimated VP a little bit, but they still won both maps. It was a back-in-forth fight with Pain Gaming. I would say that they won just because they are better at execution in team fights.

My take

This is one of those matches where both teams can easily take a map. Tundra is more structured, but they still have weird drafts and can throw a game out of nowhere. PARI, on the other hand, has better mid-game fights but zero consistency. I don’t trust either of them to close 2-0.

✗ Aftermath

I can't believe how bad PARIVISION is looking right now. Remind me again, why did they kick DM and took SSS in?

My take

This is EXACTLY the type of match where MOUZ either looks like a tier 1 team or completely collapses. GL is not stable either - RCY can win mid hard or just disappear. I’ve seen this script too many times… both teams take one.

✗ Aftermath

I will not say anything, except I think it was a mistake to bench Yamsun and get Shad instead. Yamsun was more aggressive; Shad is just Shad. I don't remember 1 team where Shad was the carry and he carried his team to a win.

My take

Yandex is just too clean in BO2. They don’t give free games. If they are the better team, they will close both maps. YkBros won’t survive the 5-man pressure.

✓ Aftermath

This has to be the most unbalanced game in ESL One Birmingham. Yandex just stomped YB in both games.

My take

Classic BetBoom match. Against weaker teams, they look like the best team in the world. If lanes go even remotely fine, this is over.

✗ Aftermath

AHAHHAHAHA, classic BetBoom. How can you lose to REKONIX? Why would you pick that useless WR carry against TA and Storm?

My take

I refuse to go 2-0 here. BetBoom is the definition of chaos — they can stomp one map and throw the next one with a 15k lead. Tundra is more stable, but not enough to dominate.

✓ Aftermath

No guys, Tundra is just too good. I mean, even in PGL Wallachia they looked good with Parker, but now with Pure, they look unbeatable, to be honest. This dude went 8-0 on the lifestealer against Mars and Ringmaster.

My take

This is a bad matchup for PARI. They rely on chaotic fights and mistakes — Yandex does NOT give that. Clean 5-man Dota vs inconsistent aggression… we know how this ends. Going with a draw.

✓ Aftermath

I am happy that my prediction got through, but PARIVISION barely won that game 1. I would say that they won purely because Satanic was too big.

My take

GL should be better in every aspect. Even if they drop a game, it would be a massive throw. BUT, now that YB has a better carry, we can go with a draw.

✓ Aftermath

Well, how was that Omniknight carry from Shad?

My take

Even with all their issues, MOUZ has way better players. If they lose a map here… I don’t even know what to say anymore.

✓ Aftermath

I will take back my comments saying that MOUZ is unpredictable. They just stomped Rekonix without any chances, and they are top 1 of group A.

My take

Falcons without full form are not reliable at all. Aurora, on the other hand, plays really solid mid-game, but they also depend a lot on momentum. This feels like a trade — one clean win each.

✗ Aftermath

This is not Dota. This is called a bully beatdown; Aurora absolutely crushed Falcons. I don't even want to mention map 2, where Aurora won with a 40:3 score xD.

My take

This is a trap match. OG should win, but we’ve seen them throw games they had no business losing. NGX is not good, but in BO2 they can absolutely steal a map.

✓ Aftermath

Yes, my prediction is correct, but I expected kind of more from OG, to be honest. Let's see how they will do further.

My take

I will not overthink this. If Ame reaches late game, VP is done. Unless XG throws (which is possible…), this should be clean.

✗ Aftermath

Oh my God. Xtreme lost map 2 without any chance. I don't get the point of WHY they always need to take fights of 4 vs. 5.

My take

Spirit is just too disciplined for a team like paiN. They won’t give them chaotic fights, and that’s where paiN usually finds wins. Yatoro in BO2 vs weaker teams = 2-0 most of the time.

✓ Aftermath

Spirit won, but I need to give some props to Wits. I think this kid has a big future in Dota 2.

My take

Falcons always find a way to take a game. Even when they look bad, they can draft something weird and win. XG is stronger overall, but I don’t trust them to sweep.

✓ Aftermath

Pfiu, here I got lucky.

My take

Very hard match. Aurora needs mid-game control, Spirit plays disciplined and punishes mistakes. This screams split — both styles can win a game.

✓ Aftermath

Honestly? I thought Spirit was going to lose the map. 2. The way Aurora started with the Marci and Warlock on the safe lane was absolutely mind-blowing. Kaori (on Warlock) was 5-0. But then, Papa Yatoro just outfarmed Nightfall and won the game.

My take

Two unstable teams. NGX has moments, VP has structure, but neither is convincing. This is classic BO2 draw material.

✓ Aftermath

I am actually blown away that Nigma Galaxy looks so good even without SumaiL. It basically means that Noob was a really bad offlaner xD.

My take

If OG loses a map here, it’s pure grief. They are just better in every department.

✗ Aftermath

Unbelievable. OG lost map 1 to Pain Gaming. But I will say more than that; even when they won game 2, Yopaj was running around with the 46 KDA. But the net worth was kind of the same. So, now to the problem: I believe OG focuses too much on kills, and they forget to farm, and that's why they are losing this kind of game.