Few games were as decisive as Xtreme Gaming’s flawless 2-0 sweep of Tundra Esports in the International 2025 (TI 2025) playoffs, which have produced one exciting series after another. In addition to guaranteeing a highly sought-after place in the upper bracket semifinals, Xtreme’s triumph made it abundantly evident to the other competitors that they are prepared to contend for the Aegis of Champions.
Underdogs Rising, Roster Woes & Expectations
Xtreme Gaming wasn’t exactly the front-runner going into TI 2025. In the Chinese region, Team Tidebound had dominated their season, and they had to battle through the March regional qualifier to guarantee their spot. Additionally, Wilson “poloson” Koh Chin was sidelined in the middle of the season due to health issues, disrupting their roster. Jian Wei “xNova-” Yap, a distinguished veteran, filled in for him at The International.
In contrast, Tundra had a great start to the year, winning several tournaments (including FISSURE Playground 1, BLAST Slam II, DreamLeague, PGL Wallachia, etc.) and establishing themselves as one of the more reliable names in the industry. However, they were not immune either. Tobi had to step in after Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon encountered visa problems.
These disadvantages on both sides created the conditions for a tango of flexibility, mental toughness, and drafting technique.
Quarterfinal Series: Game-By-Game Highlights
Here’s how Xtreme dismantled Tundra in two games, each telling a slightly different story but with the same ending.
Game One
- Drafts & Early Game: Tundra started off with a mid-game push strategy that was more laning-heavy. Crystallis on Juggernaut, bzm on Storm Spirit, and 33 on Lycan heroes that snowball and apply pressure early were important heroes. Strong teamfight heroes and scaling cores, such as Ame on Troll Warlord, Xm on Pangolier, and Xxs on Beastmaster, are on Xtreme’s side. Defensive and disruptive backbones were provided by support heroes like xNova on Winter Wyvern and xinQ on Tiny.
- Midgame Turning Point: Xtreme was able to steal the first Roshan and win the ensuing teamfight, despite Tundra winning their lanes and gaining a mid-game advantage (including early push pressure and even ranged barracks). A decisive battle then broke out at the 26-minute mark, with Tundra pushing middle high ground with a teamwipe. However, Xtreme persevered, reduced the pace, played strong defense, and gave their expanding lineup some leeway.
- Endgame: Xtreme carefully destroyed Tundra’s base and structures after surviving the midgame assault, transforming what appeared to be Tundra’s game into a protracted, tiresome victory. After roughly fifty-five minutes, Game One ended.
Game Two
- Draft Shift: Xtreme changed pace giving Ame the rarely-picked Clinkz, pairing that with Queen of Pain, Slardar, Hoodwink, and Warlock. Burst damage, pick-offs, and skirmishes rather than full on early push. Tundra responded with teamfight tools: Abaddon carry for Crystallis, Earthshaker, Sand King, Snapfire, Pugna.
- Control & Pressure: Tundra managed to get some early kills, but Xtreme never let them dominate. The Chinese squad’s strategy was tight: fight on favorable terms, keep Tundra from snowballing, and exploit their superior damage output when opportunities arose. Around the 20-minute mark, Tundra pulled off a teamwipe, giving a glimmer of hope but Xtreme’s cohesion, draft, and control let them take over afterward.
- Closing It Out: With momentum on their side, Xtreme ramped up, dictating fights and map control. By 45 minutes in, they sealed the series and sweep 2-0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05-JolR26rA
What This Win Means
- Upper Bracket Semis & Prize Security: With the sweep, Xtreme Gaming advanced to the upper bracket semifinals. That guarantees them at least a Top-6 finish, and a minimum prize payout close to US$130,000.
- Psychological Boost: Beating a roster disrupted Tundra, while also being in a less favored position themselves, shows mental strength. Xtreme’s resilience in game one when Tundra had momentum will be especially confidence-boosting.
- Meta & Strategy Takeaways: Xtreme showed that scaling cores combined with late game teamfight power remain a reliable path, if your drafting supports disruption and survival. Also, adaptability (draft changes between games) made a difference. For Tundra, the lack of stability in their roster (stand-in situations) may have hurt cohesion in the late game.
Game Highlights
Standout Players:
• Ame – dominating with Troll Warlord and Clinkz, especially in game two where his burst potential helped shut Tundra early.
• Xm – reliable as ever; his Pangolier/QoP performances provided both front-lining and damage output.
• xNova- – impactful in saving teammates, creating space with Winter Wyvern and Warlock.
Key Moments:
• Xtreme’s first Roshan steal in Game One: a momentum shift that kept Tundra from snowballing unchecked.
• Tundra’s teamwipe at 26 minutes in Game One during their push, but unable to close due to Xtreme’s defense.
• In Game Two, Tundra’s brief surge with a teamwipe ~20 minutes in, only for Xtreme to stabilize and respond with overwhelming damage and map control.
Draft Insights:
• Xtreme’s late game scaling cores allowed them to absorb early/mid pressure and snowball into dominating fights.
• Tundra tried to force early to mid-game advantages but were unable to parlay them into decisive structures or base pushes.
Final Thoughts
Xtreme Gaming’s 2-0 sweep over Tundra may not have been a complete upset both teams were hampered but it is significant. It tells the story of a team that believed in its strategy, adapted well, and seized moments. As we move deeper into the TI 2025 Playoffs, Xtreme are shaping up not just as dark horses, but serious contenders.
For fans, analysts, and players, watching how Xtreme parries pressure, leverages their late game, and stakes their claim in the upper bracket will be one of the most compelling narratives coming out of The International this year.
