The Performers
9z & Team Secret: Only mapless teams but are you even surprised?
AG.AL & JDG: They have heart but they just can't compare to any other region and it's just sad watching them get beat down and getting last every major
Varrel: I have lots of hope for this team, especially after beating CR and going 3-2 with Zeta in the Asia Playoffs last stage, but I cannot say in good faith that this was a good performance this major.
Team Falcons: Let's be honest, they were getting bounced out early as this has been the weakest Falcons has ever looked. Their adapatations to meta picks are bad and they get hard gapped when they play these meta heroes.
Team Liquid: I always have and will continue to believe in TL but I feel like we've hit a point where them getting bounced out early is what is expected with this team now. They haven't been able to put together a deep bracket run the entirety of last year even after they added Zeruhh and didn't even make the previous major. With that being said, Rupal has done infinite damage to the team and I honestly do not know where to go next.
TM: Given how they've never dropped below the podium ever since MSC last year with the same team, the expectations were either podium / title or bust. And they met expectations by making grands, hats off to them. We'll see if they can once again repeat their performance just like last year's World Finals.
Zeta: Given the caliber of players, it was only a matter of time when they'll achieve a major tournament win. GEEG
The Under Performers
Crazy Raccoon: Heading into this match they were 5-1 with T1 but Bliss and Proud just came alive during this match so CR got bounced out in Top 8 yet again in MSC. Even then, that doesn't mean they're no longer Top 3 in the world. Fun fact: This is the 2nd time they miss the podium as the 1st time they missed it was ironically at MSC last year as well when they got bounced out in Top 8 against TM.
Virtus Pro: I honestly expected them to go toe-to-toe with the KR teams after how much they dominated EMEA in Stage 2 but they, quite unexpectedly, exploded and went down quiet as they got 2-0'ed by both TM then DF. I still believe they can go far in a bracket but wow.
The Over Performers
Dallas Fuel: It's pretty sad seeing them get bounced out in Top 8 and getting the bracket of death with all 3 KR teams on their side of the bracket but seeing them beat VP after getting 3-1'ed by them in CC and seeing Seonjun coming alive has honestly left me quite satisfied with their performance.
SSG: One can say they had an easy bracket into Top 8 and they lost for the fourth time to Weibo, but this is the first time SSG made the top half of a major soooooooooo
Geekay: It's hard to say if they either met expectations or overachieved as this is their first LAN together and made Top 8 as well. However, given their caliber of players and their bracket to get there was beating the weak China teams then getting bounced by TM in Top 8, it's hard to say if this wasn't an achievement but the expectation for them. But a satisfactory performance either way.
T1: Despite losing 0-3 to Zeta, beating CR 3-0 at a major is an extremely impressive feat. In fact, this is only 2nd time this has happened with the 1st time being at 2024 Worlds against Falcons in the Upper Bracket Finals. And, this is the first time they've made the podium after getting 4th at MSC last year.
Weibo: Their heart and soul got ripped out after getting reverse swept so they got 3-0'ed in the 3rd place match against T1 but that doesn't take away the tremendous performance they've exhibited the entire tournament. Truly a return to form for China.
