In the high-stakes world of professional Dota 2, where narratives are often spun long before the first Roshan falls, Team Spirit`s manager, Dmitry “Korb3n” Belov, has delivered a striking reality check. Despite widespread expectations and bookmaker odds often placing his team as a frontrunner for The International 2025, Korb3n staunchly refutes this notion. His candid assessment peels back the layers of pre-tournament hype, revealing a grounded perspective on his team`s current state and their uphill battle.
A Dose of Reality: The `No Favorites` Stance
Korb3n`s remarks emerged during a stream, subsequently shared by LEGENDWP on Telegram, where he addressed the prevailing sentiment surrounding Team Spirit`s chances at the pinnacle Dota 2 event. His words were a direct counter to what he perceives as an overly optimistic and, frankly, unrealistic view from both the public and betting markets.
“Guys, it`s all fine, I don`t think anything, it`s his right. Accordingly, I answered as I wanted. It just came out a bit `boomer-like` for me. Honestly, his [Skiter`s] trash talk was also quite `boomer-like`; let`s be fair. It wasn`t subtle, and I responded just as unsubtly. One could have tried to be clever and come up with something. I don`t think anything, I honestly don`t care at all.”
This initial retort, however, was merely the preamble to his more profound point regarding favoritism. Korb3n expressed genuine disbelief at the external expectations placed upon his squad:
“I`m actually shocked that both bookmakers and people are incredibly strange… In short, there are no realists here, that`s what I want to say. My friends, we are playing with a stand-in, and we are favorites? That`s just funny, truly funny. Same for The International – it`s just funny. Think about it, Dan [larl] hasn`t played Dota for a month, hasn`t even opened it. We`ll train for four days and fly to The International. What favorites, [the hell]? This will be an obvious act of overcoming. Everyone else has been preparing since the 10th [of the month], all teams. And we`ll play for four days and fly to The International.”
The Larl Factor: A Crucial Setback
The core of Korb3n`s argument lies squarely with his mid-laner, Denis “larl” Sigitov. Larl recently underwent surgery, rendering him inactive in Dota 2 for an entire month. For an esports title as mechanically demanding and strategically fluid as Dota 2, a month away from competitive play is a significant hiatus. The intricacies of hero matchups, lane timings, and team fight execution demand constant practice to maintain peak performance. To then have only four days of collective training before competing on the grandest stage of The International is, as Korb3n highlights, an immense challenge.
This lack of preparation is a critical technical impediment. Team synergy, a cornerstone of successful Dota 2 teams, is meticulously built over countless hours of scrims and official matches. Larl`s absence and subsequent limited reintegration time inherently disrupt this delicate balance. While individual skill is paramount, the collective`s synchronized movements and shared understanding often dictate success, especially against other top-tier teams who have enjoyed uninterrupted practice schedules.
The Skiter Spar: Contextualizing the Hype
Korb3n`s comments also provide a deeper context to the recent exchange of “trash talk” with Oliver “Skiter” Lepko, the carry for Team Falcons. Following Team Falcons` 3-0 victory over Team Spirit in the grand finals of FISSURE Universe: Episode 6, Skiter provocatively declared, “We avenged the EWC final. Team Spirit is still trash…” Korb3n`s quick-witted response, “In a week and a half, you`ll be eliminated at The International,” was a testament to competitive spirit.
However, it`s crucial to remember that Team Spirit played FISSURE Universe with a stand-in, alleviating some of the sting from the 3-0 defeat. Moreover, the historical record points to a different outcome in their last full-strength encounter at Riyadh Masters 2025, where Team Spirit decisively defeated Team Falcons with an identical 3-0 scoreline. Korb3n`s current clarification ensures that the emotional heat of competitive banter doesn`t overshadow the practical realities of their readiness for TI.
From Favorites to Overcomers: A Shift in Narrative
By publicly downplaying their “favorite” status, Korb3n effectively reframes Team Spirit`s journey to The International 2025. They are not entering as the expected dominators but rather as a team confronting significant obstacles. This narrative shift from perceived favoritism to one of “overcoming” (превозмогание, as Korb3n put it) can serve multiple purposes:
- Reduces External Pressure: Lessens the burden of overwhelming expectations, allowing players to focus more freely.
- Cultivates an Underdog Mentality: Can foster a fierce determination and hunger to prove doubters (or, in this case, the overly optimistic) wrong.
- Manages Internal Expectations: Aligns the team`s internal understanding of their preparation level with public perception, avoiding potential disillusionment.
Korb3n`s pragmatic outlook offers a valuable counterpoint to the often-frenetic hype machine of esports. His honest assessment of Team Spirit`s pre-TI preparations, particularly concerning larl`s recovery and the limited practice window, provides a stark reminder that even championship-winning teams are subject to the realities of health and readiness. While Team Spirit remains a formidable force in Dota 2, Korb3n`s declaration positions them not as an untouchable favorite, but as a resilient contender ready to embark on what promises to be an arduous, yet potentially inspiring, campaign of overcoming the odds at The International 2025.
Jasper Hawthorne