Collapse on the meta at The International 2026: “It’s fine; you can work with it.”

Miposhka did most of the work with him. After practically every practice session, he’d drag him off to analyze replays and point out mistakes so he wouldn’t repeat them next time. Plus, after games, the whole team discusses what we could have done better. We also practiced a ton of 2v2 matchups—for example, against Yatoro and rue, as well as against other players that Korb3n found. All in all, yes, there was a lot of work. The whole team has been focused on this for the last two weeks.

Last year we won the EWC, and I thought we were in good form. Right after we won the EWC, it seemed to me that we could win The International 2025 as well. We prepared as a whole team—no substitutes; everyone was simply ready to win.

After TI 2025, we had a few tournaments where we finished in second place—I think that was one of the peaks of our form. But the slump began in the spring when not me joined us. At first, everything was fine, but then it all fell apart, and we started playing like total noobs. That’s when we really hit rock bottom.

It’s fine; we can work with it. I don’t remember a single meta this year that suited any team perfectly. Everyone’s just trying to adapt, and I think we’re adapting well to this meta—we’re happy with how things are going. We have strong, meta-appropriate heroes; we can play with them and against them, so we’re in good shape there.

Don’t do anything crazy, but don’t be afraid to take risks either. You’ll feel it yourselves as the game goes on—what you’re doing right and what you’re not—and everything will just flow naturally, like a river. Just don’t do anything random; play calmly, stick to your usual game. And don’t be afraid, because fear is your worst enemy.