Image: Valve Software
No teams will be eliminated after the Group Stage, but that doesn't make its results any less important.
The International 2024 (TI 2024) is almost upon us. Starting today (September 4), 16 of the best Dota 2 teams in the world will be battling in Copenhagen, Denmark for their cut of the growing $2.36 million prize pool as well as the right to claim the Aegis of Champions and the title of 2024 Dota 2 world champions.
TI 2024 will kick off with a two-day Group Stage from September 4 to 5. This year's tournament differs from previous iterations, as no teams will be eliminated after the Group Stage. Instead, Group Stage results will determine each team's placement in the Seeding Decider matches from September 6 to 7. The Top 2 teams from each group will be matched with either the third or fourth-placed teams in their respective opposing groups.
But even if every team in TI 2024 is guaranteed to advance past the Group Stage, that doesn't mean its results are any less important. Having a favourable placement in the Seeding Decider can mean the difference between starting the Playoffs with a one-loss cushion in the upper bracket or having to fight an uphill battle in the treacherous lower bracket.
With that in mind, here are GosuGamers' predictions for how each group will likely fare in the Group Stage:
Group A
Group A is arguably the most stacked team of the Group Stage, as it features two of the biggest contenders for the Aegis of Champions this year: 
Gaimin Gladiators from Western Europe and 
Xtreme Gaming from China. Rounding out the rest of the group are 
Heroic from South America and 
1win (1w Team) from Eastern Europe, both of which are teams that many consider to be dark horses.
This is the easiest group to make predictions for. With all due respect to HEROIC and 1w Team, Gaimin Gladiators and Xtreme are all but guaranteed to occupy the Top 2 spots for Group A. Which team will top the group overall is a different question altogether, though we predict Gaimin Gladiators to finish the Group Stage atop Group A.
Predicted results for Group A:
- Gaimin Gladiators
- Xtreme Gaming
- Heroic
- 1w Team
Group B
Group B is looking like the closest group of the Group Stage, with the likes of 
Tundra Esports and 
Cloud9 (C9) from Western Europe as well as 
G2 x iG from China widely considered as solid picks to make the Playoffs. Meanwhile, 
Talon Esports from Southeast Asia may very well be a sleeper pick to cause upsets in the later stages of the tournament.
Only two teams will occupy the top half of the standings for this group though, and our picks will have to go to Tundra and C9. Western Europe has been Dota 2's strongest region for years now, and you can even make the case that the weakest Western European team is a match for, if not outright better than, the strongest teams from other regions. That should hold true for Group B, so commiserations to G2.iG and Talon as they are likely headed for uphill battles following the Group Stage.
Predicted results for Group B:
- Tundra Esports
- Cloud9
- G2 x iG
- Talon Esports
Group C
Group C arguably features the biggest favourites to claim this year's Aegis of Champions: Western European juggernauts 
Team Falcons. So, it should go without saying that we predict their championship campaign begins with them topping the standings of Group C.
That leaves the second Top 2 spot for Group C up for grabs for the group's three other squads: Eastern Europe's 
BetBoom Team, North America's 
nouns, and China's 
Team Zero. Of these three, BetBoom are the better team on paper. While we won't rule out any upsets, BetBoom should also have a relatively easy time earning a favourable matchup in the Seeding Decider matches.
Predicted results for Group C:
- Team Falcons
- BetBoom Team
- nouns
- Team Zero
Group D
Finally, we have Group D, which features the defending champions: Eastern European powerhouse 
Team Spirit. While Spirit's results this year have been a bit mixed, they are well known for upping their game when it matters the most. And so, we predict that Spirit will open their campaign for their third Aegis of Champions by finishing as the top seed of Group D.
The second Top 2 spot will then be contested between Western Europe's 
Team Liquid, Southeast Asia's 
Aurora, and South America's 
beastcoast. Liquid have historically been a level above those two other squads, so we expect them to finish behind Spirit in the standings. With all due respect to Aurora and beastcoast, this group is a difficult draw for them and should make the rest of their path through TI 2024 a difficult one.
Predicted results for Group D:
- Team Spirit
- Team Liquid
- Aurora
- beastcoast
TI 2024 is this year's iteration of Dota 2's annual world championship tournament and features 16 of the best teams in the world fighting for their cut of the growing $2.36 million prize pool and the Aegis of Champions.
The event is being hosted from September 4 to 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark and is split into two distinct phases: the Group stage (September 4 to 5) and the Seeding Deciders (September 6 to 7). The first two rounds of the Playoffs (September 8 to 10) are branded as part of The Road to The International, while the remaining portion of the Playoffs for the remaining eight teams (September 13 to 15) are branded as The International itself.
For more of everything you need to know about TI 2024, check here.
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