From Division 2 to Champions
Team Yandex officially announced themselves as Dota 2’s newest powerhouse after defeating Team Spirit 3-1 in the DreamLeague Season 27 Grand Finals. The victory marked the organization’s first major tournament title and capped an unlikely rise from Division 2 qualifiers to champions. Mula Division 2 hanggang Grand Finals champion, malinaw na hindi aksidente ang pag-angat ng Yandex.
The win earned Yandex US$214,000 in prize money and 3,400 ESL Pro Tour points, placing them firmly among the elite heading into the new season. Unlike most contenders, Yandex did not enter through direct invites. Pinaghirapan nila ang bawat laban, bawat series, at bawat pagkakataon.
A Roster Built on Hunger and Experience
For Alimzhan “Watson” Islambekov, Arman “Malady” Orazbayev, Ilya “CHIRA_JUNIOR” Chirtsov, and Evgeniy “Noticed” Ignatenko, this championship marked their first major title despite years of near-misses. The missing piece was veteran stand-in Martin “Saksa” Sazdov, whose championship pedigree proved invaluable.
Hindi lang mechanics ang dinala ni Saksa. His calm decision-making, leadership, and experience from winning The International and multiple Majors helped stabilize the team during high-pressure moments. In tight late-game scenarios, Yandex played with clarity instead of panic.
Momentum Built Before the Breakthrough
Yandex had already shown signs of something special heading into DreamLeague Season 27. They finished third at FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 and followed that with a runner-up finish at BLAST Slam V. May momentum na, pero kulang pa ng isang malaking panalo.
That breakout finally came at DreamLeague. Even as a mid-tournament patch reshaped the meta, Yandex never lost rhythm. Their adaptability and preparation stood out, allowing them to dominate the upper bracket and enter the Finals with confidence. Hindi sila natinag kahit nagbago ang laro.
The Road to the Grand Finals
Yandex’s tournament started quietly with a 4-1 group stage record. Losses to OG and Xtreme Gaming tempered expectations, but once the playoffs began, everything changed. They edged Virtus.pro 2-1, followed by another tight 2-1 victory over Tundra Esports.
The biggest shock came in the Upper Bracket Finals, where Yandex swept Team Spirit 2-0. That win set up a Grand Finals rematch few expected them to control. Sa puntong iyon, hindi na sila underdog kundi tunay na contender.
Grand Finals: Statement Victory Over Team Spirit
Team Spirit struck first in Game 1 behind Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk’s Phantom Assassin, but Yandex responded with discipline and superior drafting. Centered around heroes like Viper, Shadow Shaman, and Templar Assassin, they repeatedly dominated full-scale teamfights.
Game 3 became the turning point. Sobrang one-sided ng laban, napilitan ang Team Spirit na mag-surrender sa loob lamang ng 24 minuto, isang bihirang eksena para sa isang team na kilala sa never-say-die mentality. From that moment on, momentum fully belonged to Yandex.
They closed the series 3-1, leaving no doubt. Walang sagot ang Spirit sa agresyon, disiplina, at execution ng Yandex.
A New Era Begins
DreamLeague Season 27 feels like a turning point in competitive Dota. OG secured another Top 6 finish, MOUZ lifted their first trophy at PGL Wallachia Season 6, and now Team Yandex ends the year with a historic breakthrough.
Hindi na sila dark horse. Contender na sila.
With confidence, chemistry, and momentum on their side, Team Yandex enter the 2025 to 2026 season firmly in the spotlight. DreamLeague Season 27 was not just a title win. It was the beginning of a new era.
