OG, NiP earn spots at Bucharest Minor

OG is set to take another shot at securing a spot in The Chongqing Major , this time through the upcoming minor tournament.

After a failed attempt at qualifying through The Chongqing Major’s European qualifier, the defending TI8 champions successfully took the first slot in The Bucharest Minor’s European qualifier. OG topped their group while European rival Ninjas In Pyjamas remained undefeated in the second group.

The two teams faced each other in the winner’s finals match, where OG stomped Ninjas in Pyjamas with a clean 2-0 sweep. Ninjas in Pyjamas bounced back in the lower bracket against Vega Squadron to secure Europe’s second slot at The Bucharest Minor.

OG received intense media exposure even while taking a short break after their big win at The International. Carry player Anathan “ana” Pham left the team, while mid laner Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen was invited to take part in a royal tradition in his native Finland.

The team’s in-game dominance was questioned after OG managed only a fifth-place finish in their first qualifying attempt in the new Dota Pro Circuit.

Since TI8 star ana’s switch to inactivity, the team is still looking to regain their stride with the addition of Per Anders Olsson “Pajkatt” Lille. This might explain the slow start to the new season.

Despite the recent roster change, much of the Dota 2 community still views the team as the strongest contender at The Bucharest Minor, giving fans of the team hope that they might still make an appearance at the upcoming major tournament.

OG will be competing along with Keen Gaming, EHOME, Ninjas in Pyjamas, The Final Tribe, TEAM TEAM, Playmakers Esports, Gambit Esports, and BOOM ID.

The Bucharest Minor champions will be rewarded $125,000 and a guaranteed slot in The Chongqing Major, which will be held in January 2019.