Team Spirit is one of the most remarkable Dota 2 teams in the current esports scene, having made history with their stunning victory at The International 2021. Hailing from Russia, this organization has persevered through roster changes, strategic shifts, and years of competing at the highest level to establish itself as a dominant force in Dota 2. In this article, we take a deep dive into the evolution of Team Spirit, exploring their early years, iconic triumphs, and their current standing as a premier esports team.
Team Spirit – Foundation and Early Years
Founded in 2015, Team Spirit quickly entered the Dota 2 competitive scene by signing their first roster, CIS Rejects, on December 6, 2015. This squad featured talented players such as RAMZES666, Iceberg, AfterLife, ALWAYSWANNAFLY, and Goblak as their captain. The team showed promise early on, qualifying for the second Valve-run Major, The Shanghai Major, via the European qualifiers.
However, despite their success in qualifiers, Team Spirit experienced underwhelming results in international LAN events, prompting inevitable roster reshuffles. These frequent changes would characterize much of Team Spirit’s journey in the coming years.
Roster Instability and Rebuilding
Following the departure of key players such as RAMZES666 and AfterLife, Team Spirit underwent multiple lineup overhauls. Players like Illidan, Funn1k, XBOCT, and Ghostik joined the roster in an attempt to bring stability and success. However, inconsistent results hindered the team’s ability to make a mark on major tournaments, including The International 2016, which they failed to qualify for.
By September 2016, the entire active roster had been dropped or had left the organization. This period of turbulence served as a learning curve for Team Spirit as they sought the perfect blend of talent and cohesion to compete at the highest level.
Various Rosters and Performances
European Roster – A Short-Lived Success
In 2017, Team Spirit signed a European lineup featuring oliver, Nine, HesteJoe-Rotten, Biver, and Fng. This team showed flashes of brilliance, securing victories at events such as Cryptomasters and the Autumn Cup. However, a lack of consistent results eventually led to their disbandment.
Old But Gold – A Veteran Experiment
By May 2019, Team Spirit signed a roster composed of seasoned veterans, aptly named Old But Gold. This team consisted of Illidan, G, 633, velheor, and Vanskor. Unfortunately, despite their experience, they were unable to achieve high tournament placements and ultimately failed to qualify for The International.
Positive Guys – A Glimpse of Hope
Later in 2019, Team Spirit attempted another fresh start by acquiring the roster of Positive Guys, which featured players such as iLTW, Ergon, Ghostik, Immersion, and Misha. This iteration showed promise, with a second-place finish in the Parimatch League Season 1 Round Robin and a fourth-place finish at Parimatch League Season 1.
The Yellow Submarine Era and The International 2021 Victory
A defining moment in Team Spirit’s history came in December 2020 when they signed the young and ambitious Yellow Submarine roster. This lineup featured:
- Ilya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk – Carry
- Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek – Midlane
- Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov – Offlane
- Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov – Support
- Miroslaw “Mira” Kolpakov – Support
Coached by Dota Legend Airat “Silent” Gaziev, this squad brought fresh and aggressive gameplay to the competitive Dota 2 scene. They secured qualification for The International 2021 by winning the Eastern European qualifiers. Once at TI10, Team Spirit performed beyond expectations, making a legendary lower-bracket run.
The International 2021 – A Historic Journey
After being knocked down to the lower bracket by Invictus Gaming, Team Spirit defied the odds, eliminating top-tier teams such as Fnatic, OG, Virtus.pro, Invictus Gaming (again), and Team Secret, ultimately reaching the grand finals against Chinese powerhouse PSG.LGD.
Despite losing a 2-0 lead in the grand finals, Team Spirit held their nerve in game five to secure a triumphant 3-2 victory, making them the champions of The International 2021. This historic win not only made them the first Eastern European team to win The International since Na’Vi in 2011 but also earned them a staggering $18,208,300 in prize money.
How Team Spirit Achieved Success
- Strategic draft choices and creative picks.
- A disciplined and adaptable playstyle.
- Exceptional synergy between teammates.
- Solid coaching and player development.
- Youthful confidence and resilience in high-pressure games.
Current Team Spirit Dota 2 Roster
As of the latest competitive season, Team Spirit’s roster includes:
- Yatoro (Ilya Mulyarchuk) – Carry
- Larl (Denis Sigitov) – Midlane
- Collapse (Magomed Khalilov) – Offlane
- Rue (Aleksandr Filin) – Support
- Miposhka (Yaroslav Naidenov) – Support
- Head Coach: Airat “Silent” Gaziev
How to Follow Team Spirit Dota 2’s Matches
If you’re keen to stay updated on Team Spirit’s latest matches and tournaments, here is how you can do it:
- Follow their official social media channels on Twitter and Instagram.
- Check Dota 2 tournament listings on CyberScore.
- Watch live matches on streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.
Team Spirit Dota 2 – Frequently Asked Questions
What is Team Spirit?
Team Spirit is a Russian esports organization that competes in multiple games, including Dota 2.
When was Team Spirit founded?
Team Spirit was founded in 2015.
Who is the current carry player for Team Spirit?
Yatoro (Ilya Mulyarchuk) is the current carry player for Team Spirit.
Who was the captain during The International 2021 victory?
The team’s captain at TI10 was Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov.
How did Team Spirit qualify for The International 2021?
They qualified by winning the Eastern European regional qualifiers.
What was Team Spirit’s prize for winning The International 2021?
They earned a record-breaking $18,208,300 in prize money.
Where can I watch Team Spirit’s matches?
You can follow their games on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Who is Team Spirit’s coach?
Their current coach is Airat “Silent” Gaziev.
What makes Team Spirit one of the best Dota 2 teams?
Their teamwork, strategic play, and ability to perform under pressure set them apart.
Has Team Spirit won any other major tournaments?
Yes, they have won several premier Dota 2 tournaments beyond The International.
