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Team Secret Get Relegated To Second Division

One of Europe's most successful Dota 2 teams get relegated to Division II
by Tit Krajnik on January 28, 2023   

Team Secret have found themselves in a rough spot just weeks into the 2023 Dota Pro Circuit (DPC), as the once-great team suffered a humiliating relegation into Western Europe's second-division league. The shock comes just months after Team Secret placed second at The International 2022, marking one of the biggest falls from grace in recent history.

 

Team Secret were always regarded as a juggernaut in the European Dota 2 scene, and despite the team's failed attempts to solidify themselves as the best in the world, with two top-three TI finishes in 2021 and 2022, Secret were still very competitive in the regional competitions.

Last season was one of Team Secret's worst in terms of success the team has achieved in the European DPC, as they collected three fifth-place finishes across the three WEU DPC Tours. Still, they did well internationally, with a semifinal run at Riyadh Masters 2022, a third-place finish at ESL One Malaysia 2022 and a grand finals appearance at The International 2022.

Following a relatively successful year, Team Secret entered the 2023 DPC season with a lot to prove, but they found themselves struggling with their performances. Team Secret kicked off the year with five consecutive defeats in the DPC WEU 2023 Tour 1: Division I before they locked in their first win of the year against Into the Breach.
 


But at that point, it was too late, too little. On Friday, January 27, Team Secret suffered their sixth defeat of the season against Nigma Galaxy, which effectively guaranteed the TI 2022 finalists a bottom-two finish in DPC WEU 2023 Tour 1: Division I and an automatic relegation into the second division.

No one expected Team Secret to crash out of WEU DPC upper division; however, it seems like losing Michal "Nisha" Jankowski – who left for Team Liquid in December – affected Team Secret heavily. While the team seems to have things figured out in the 2022 season-culminating event, they couldn't find any traction this season.
 


Nisha's replacement, Miroslav "BOOM" Bican, had his moments of greatness this term, but he couldn't cover up for Secret's shortcomings. However, even though replacing their mid laner has clearly affected Secret's ability to perform, the team's core hasn't really shown up this season, leading to disappointing results, which will see Secret compete against Europe's second-tier teams in the WEU DPC Tour 2.

The relegation is a huge blow for Team Secret, who are guaranteed to miss the second Major of the year. Moreover, due to Secret having to spend Tour 2 in Division II, their chances of qualifying for TI12 are slim. But there's still a way.

Team Secret now have to win WEU DPC Tour 2: Division II and win the third Major to secure a direct invite for The International 2023. On a more positive note, Team Secret will still have a chance to compete in the regional qualifiers and secure a TI ticket that way, but first, the team needs to figure out how to improve to avoid another humiliation.

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