The Lima Major Playoff stage is well underway - with four teams now getting ready to delight fans at the Upper Bracket Semifinals, due to take place on March 2.
Lima Major 2023: Upper Bracket Semifinals schedule and betting odds
The Playoff Stage got off to a dramatic start on February 28, with four teams having been knocked down to the lower bracket, where they'll be facing potential elimination in their matches taking place on March 1.
And once those are out of the way, we'll be heading back to the Upper Bracket for the Semifinals! The winners of today's matches will advance straight on to the Upper Bracket Final, due to take place on March 4. The losers meanwhile will have another shot at redemption, as they'll face elimination from the tournament in the March 4 Lower Bracket Quarterfinals.
Our first Upper Bracket Semifinal match will take place at 19:00 GMT on March 2, when we'll see Gaimin Gladiators going up against Entity.
Gaimin Gladiators (1.65) vs Entity (2.20)
Gaimin Gladiators had an excellent start to the Playoffs, earning a 2-0 victory over Team Aster in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. It was the continuation of an all-round incredible performance from the team, who were the highest-ranked Group A team with a Group Stage record of four wins, three draws and one loss. It's an incredible run for the team, especially considering that Gaimin Gladiators is only in their second year in the DPC - having joined the Dota 2 competitive scene on February 8, 2022.
Entity meanwhile have similarly had a strong start to the Playoffs, having defeated Evil Geniuses with a score of 2-0 in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. Their Group Stage record is every bit as impressive as Gaimin Gladiators' too, matching their success with four wins, three draws and one loss. Entity are having an excellent tournament so far, especially considering they just narrowly qualified for the Lima Major through their 4th-place result at the end of the DPC WEU winter tour.
Gaimin Gladiators are the favourites to win here, with odds of 1.65 vs Entity's 2.20.
Our second Semifinal match of the day will kick off a few hours later at 22:00 and will treat fans to a showdown between Team Liquid and Shopify Rebellion.
Team Liquid (1.31) vs Shopify Rebellion (3.38)
Team Liquid has been dominating the Lima Major so far, and their incredible win streak shows no sign of stopping just yet. The team finished the Group Stage with an incredible record of six wins, two draws and zero losses - Placing them as the clear favourite to make it to the March 5 Grand Final. That uncontested win streak continued through to the Playoffs too, with Team Liquid claiming a decisive 2-0 victory over Talon Esports in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. Things are looking promising for Liquid in their face-off against Shopify Rebellion too, as the team faces the chance to make it through to the Upper Bracket Final without a single loss to their name.
Shopify Rebellion's record, while not quite as impressive as Team Liquid's run, is still absolutely worthy of note. The team achieved a Group Stage record of three wins, four draws and one loss - a respectable run by anyone's standards. Unfortunately, however, that one loss came at the hands of none other than Team Liquid - making their March 2 match a chance for Shopify Rebellion to take revenge for their 2-0 defeat. Shopify might be riding high from their 2-1 victory over Team Spirit in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals, but do they have what it takes to break Team Liquid's win streak?
Team Liquid are the clear favourites here, with odds of 1.31 vs Shopify Rebellion's 3.38.
Which teams do you think will make it to the Upper Bracket Final? Whoever you choose to support, make sure you follow along with the match schedule right here - And remember to sign up to claim your free 100% bonus!
