BLAST SLAM VIII qualifiers give four teams a spot at the main event

As the post-TI blues settle, it is almost time to get back into the next season of Dota 2. With the teams having a much-needed rest, BLAST SLAM VIII will be the second tier 1 tournament of the new competitive season. While the teams directly invited into the event have yet to be announced, the regional qualifiers have completed.

Four teams lock in for BLAST SLAM VIII

Over the recent weekend, the regional closed qualifiers for the eighth iteration of BLAST SLAM got underway. Southeast Asia, Europe, and China were the three regions competing through these qualifiers. With a few new rosters and players for well-known teams, the qualifiers gave us a great taste of post-TI Dota 2, as we countdown the days to the event.

Europe

After missing out on TI, both Natus Vincere and MOUZ stepped into the EU qualifiers hoping to start the new season strong. However, there were also teams such as Yellow Submarine in the mix, as well as HULIGANI. Unfortunately for MOUZ, their new-look roster fell short at the final hurdle, with NAVI taking the first EU slot. Level UP, coming through the qualifiers, also with a recently updated roster, managed to take the second spot.

Southeast Asia

SEA was an interesting region to watch, as Daryl Koh “iceiceice” Pei Xiang teamed up with Kam “Moon” Boon Seng on the Ice Cream Men roster. However, the finals would feature Team Nemesis, with many from the ex-GLYPH roster, and Execration. Nemesis managed to cruise through without too many issues, claiming their spot at BLAST SLAM VIII.

China

Having been given an almost free pass into the grand finals, with Crescent forfeiting the semifinals, Team Resilience came head-to-head against Yakult Brothers. After beating them in the CN qualifier for TI, this time TR couldn’t repeat the process, as YB took the win and booked themselves a spot at the BLAST SLAM VIII.

BLAST SLAM VIII is still a month away, but now we have 4 of the 16 teams involved locked in. The event kicks off on September 29th with an online phase for the Group Stage, before the remaining teams head to Malta for the playoffs on October 8th to play for their chance to take home part of a $750,000 prize pool.