In a stunning display of skill, the rebuilt Talon Esports emerged triumphant in the grand final of the ESL One Birmingham 2024 SEA closed qualifier last night, decisively sweeping aside Geek Fam to secure their berth in England next month.
Defeating Geek Fam was expected to be a Herculean task for Talon. The Malaysian squad exhibited exceptional teamwork throughout the closed qualifier, appearing virtually unbeatable. In their initial encounter, they even relegated Talon to the lower bracket, clinching the series 2-1.
Yet, Talon demonstrated remarkable adaptability, learning from their previous encounters and pinpointing the vulnerabilities they could exploit against Geek Fam. Rather than replicating past outcomes, they outmaneuvered Geek in every match, ultimately securing a convincing 3-0 victory in the best-of-five series.
The opening game saw Eljohn “Akashi” Andales’ stellar performance on Troll Warlord, with Geek Fam initially keeping pace for the first 14 minutes. However, Talon gradually seized control of objectives, applying relentless pressure that proved insurmountable by the 30-minute mark. Although Geek Fam briefly entertained hopes of a comeback at 35 minutes, time constraints compelled them to retreat, paving the way for Talon’s pivotal teamfight victory at 47 minutes.
Geek Fam attempted to equalize aggressively in game two, relying on Nicholson “Mac” Villanueva and Joshua “Kokz” Marano’s Ember Spirit and Underlord combination. Despite dominating proceedings until the late game, a critical blunder at 39 minutes allowed Talon to mount a swift counterattack, securing a narrow 25-25 win.
With match point secured, Talon Esports asserted their dominance in the decisive game. Both teams engaged in a relentless pursuit for opportunities over the first 20 minutes, yet Geek Fam ultimately succumbed to Talon’s overwhelming prowess at the 25-minute mark, conceding defeat five minutes later.
Talon Esports’ resounding victory grants them the honor of representing the SEA region at the ESL One competition in Birmingham, England, slated for February 22nd. This triumph further solidifies their reputation as a formidable SEA team consistently vying in international Dota 2 tournaments.
