Figured we could use a thread to talk about the tournament itself. First match starts tomorrow at 10:00 am CMT (GMT +2). 
 
It will be streamed at http://www.dota2.com/tournaments/international/ and http://www.joindota.com/ 
 
So, while we've still got about 16 hours till show time, any predictions? I think MYM stands the best chance at winning.

I have no idea about any of the teams but I am interested in watching. Anything that grows eSports is an awesome thing. I would very much enjoy there being another game in addition to SC2 to watch. The only thing that I am worried about is the community splitting because there are too many almost identical games out or are coming out and that many games could splinter the community.

I'm not familiar with the teams but I loved DotA and I"m very excited to see actual gameplay. Spectre FTW!

Dunno any of the teams either, but I'll still watch since I can probably follow the action since I'm a long time LoL player.

I also don't know any of the teams... 
So.. 
 
But i am eager to watch!@Scigrex14 said:

 The only thing that I am worried about is the community splitting because there are too many almost identical games out or are coming out and that many games could splinter the community.

 

I also don't know any of the teams... 
So.. 
 
But i am eager to watch!@Scigrex14 said:

 The only thing that I am worried about is the community splitting because there are too many almost identical games out or are coming out and that many games could splinter the community.

 

This is also kind of a big concern and people in these communities seem to eb very hostile if i can believe the forums, seeing just the hate from the screenshot...

Don't know shit about the teams but I'll be watching this. Love esports!

@phrosnite: That gif sums up MOBAs precisely.

@anthanoid Yeah, 1 am is correct

8 a.m? Seems a tad early but I imagine that it's on for quite a while.

im in and i find it funny how no team is from north america. GO THAT ONE EUROPEAN TEAM!

Can't wait to watch this, I'm for MYM and Mineski 'cuz they're from the Philippines. And yes 1 AM PDT is a drag, maybe we can get a chat room up or something

If anyone wants to brush up on the heroes before the games start, a guy on reddit has been writing general summaries of them
http://www.reddit.com/r/DotA2/comments/jjy8x/gamescom_dota_heroes_guide_for_dummies_strength/ 
http://www.reddit.com/r/DotA2/comments/jlcd7/gamescom_dota_heroes_guide_for_dummies_agility/

I have no idea what's going on in a Dota! But I'm still hyped to watch this!

It's too bad the chat room isn't open so everyone could discuss in real time.

1st match iG get hype!!!!!

@Sign: Seriously right? someone tweet Brad, tell him to open up the chat

@scarace360: OK.Nirvana.int and MyM both have American players to root for (OK.Nirvana.int would've had two but Power.Net's parents apparently didn't allow him to go). For Canadian players we have 1437 on OK.Nirvana.int as well.

Is it loading for anyone?
 
I'm trying to get to dota2.com but it won't load...

@Doctorchimp: It is slow to load and even when it did load for me it took a few tries to get the stream to start. Right now it is just a splash screen, there is no match on yet.

Is it loading for anyone?  I'm trying to get to dota2.com but it won't load...

@Doctorchimp said:

Is it loading for anyone? I'm trying to get to dota2.com but it won't load...

Just keep trying. it took me about 10 minutes to get it working but its fine for me now, nothing has started yet.

WHERE IS BASSHUNTER???

Seriously though get hype!

Anyone else hate when the music ends and fades out... they keep faking me out >.<

The stream keeps toying with my emotions, every time the loop restarts I hold my breath.

Are there any free sites to create a chatroom? No point googling it because it just comes up with porn and sex chat style stuff.

@Sign said:

Anyone else hate when the music ends and fades out... they keep faking me out >.<

Totally agree, just a matter of time though...hopefully

@Sign: Quakenet irc channels are free

@Dejkrigeren: They have a web-based irc at all? Guessing most people here aren't using IRC

I made an irc channel:

http://webchat.quakenet.org/

Just log in to #GBDOTA2 under channel

Punctuality - Never something to expect out of esports......... I'm falling asleep, hope they start soon!

The stream is suffering the effects of valve time 8(

@Dejkrigeren: Tried to join, said don't have the right key

User error, there was an extra space before the channel name.

Hmm, I get a 'subscription failed: stream_hd' error everytime I start the player. What's the deal?

Nevermind I got it!

@GideonAmos: keep refreshing or try to change from HD to SD and then back, thats what did it for me

Lets go Germany! What's the hold up?

Logged into the GB Dota 2 IRC chat that dejkrigeren posted, lets go!

If you get subscription failed just try refreshing more...

Yup keep trying as I imagine about a billion people are trying to watch this right now.

IT BEGINS

The ban/pick screen is beautiful

I just think its fucking crazy that they are streaming this through steam.

I know nothing about this game. I've never played DOTA and I'm not a big fan of RTS-games but I'll give this one a shot.

PS.

These english commentators have terrible mics.

Here is an alternative link to the chat: irc://quakenet/GBDOTA2

Another alternative site
 
http://www.own3d.tv/live/102577/Dota_2_Gamescom_English_Commentary