Nigma takes shocking loss to Alliance, misses DPC Major and Minor

gabhernandez Published 16/02/2020

Alliance proved to be the best team at the StarLadder ImbaTV Minor Europe Qualifier.

Fans are shocked to see Nigma’s shaky return to the scene. The team of legendary captain Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi is not as threatening as it once was.

Nigma’s performance on the main stage of DreamLeague Season 13 was not a sight for sore eyes either. The team had an early exit and lost to beastcoast in the second round of the lower bracket.

Fans were expecting a stronger comeback for Nigma at ESL One Los Angeles Europe Qualifier. However, the team showed otherwise.

The team found a silver lining when it secured the minor qualifier spot. Nigma was hopeful to recapture its grand champion title at a minor tournament.

The European team has failed to repeat the feat.

During the Europe closed qualifier, Alliance took down Nigma and claimed the Minor spot for itself.

The best-of-five series featured the hunger and the drive of each team to compete at the main stage of StartLadder ImbaTV Minor. The two teams squared off at the grand finals of the regional qualifier.

Alliance was quick to chalk up the first game, but Nigma was able to take a quick win in response in game two.

In the third game, Nigma posted another compelling win led by an impressive performance of Aliwi “w33” Omar on Outworld Devourer, managing a 17/4/9 KDA.

Nigma could’ve closed the deal in game four, but Alliance wouldn’t back down. The game swung back and forth and Alliance outmaneuvered every sneaky move attempted by Nigma to send the series to a decisive final game.

Alliance seemed to have the momentum in that fifth game. Nigma tried to contest, but Nikolay “Nikobaby” Nikolov carried his team to victory. Alliance was able to eliminate Nigma from the tournament.

Nigma’s lack of team chemistry may not be the sole reason for its struggles. The issue embedded in the current DPC system is also ought to be blamed.

Fans have deemed the European region short of an appropriate number of slots at Major tournaments in the Dota Pro Circuit. Top tier teams such as OG and Team Secret are almost always guaranteed a slot, and that leaves other teams with high potential brawling for one spot.

Teams such as Nigma, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Team Liquid, Alliance, and OG.Seed were roughhousing for one major tournament spot and one minor tournament spot.

With that said, Nigma has no choice but to step up its game to secure a spot in the next major tournament.

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