Joining Spirit and the organization’s philosophy — highlights from the Team Spirit podcast with Illidan

Yellow Submarine coach and streamer Ilya “Illidan” Pivtsaev spoke in an interview with the club’s YouTube channel about joining Team Spirit, shared his thoughts on the team’s success in Dota 2, and commented on the organization’s philosophy. Here’s a summary of the key points in our article.

Illidan recalled that he first joined Team Spirit in 2016 at Goblak’s invitation following roster changes. At the time, the team was seen more as a mix of players than as a fully-fledged organization with a clear structure. He noted that during that period, the roster had a simple goal—to at least qualify for a LAN tournament—but they often failed to make the cut.

According to Ilya, the second time he joined, he came to a more structured organization where a sense of system and management work was evident. He noted that at that time, Team Spirit and Virtus.pro appeared to be the most organized clubs in the CIS scene, offering basic amenities for players.

Illidan noted that his generation of players was more sociable due to growing up in the era of computer clubs and limited internet access. At the same time, Pivtsaev emphasized that younger players often appear more professional and hardworking, with less tendency toward laziness. In his opinion, this is due to changes in the educational system, although it is partly accompanied by less socialization.

Ilya stated that he identifies with Team Spirit’s team-building model, where key decisions do not depend on the players. He noted that as far back as 2014–2015, he held the view that the roster should not be formed solely based on the players’ wishes. According to Pivtsaev, the organization has established a system involving competent specialists, which sets it apart from many other clubs where players have a stronger influence.

Illidan called Team Spirit’s Dota 2 championship roster a “parade of the stars,” highlighting the contributions of all team members and management. Ilya compared the victory at The International to OG’s story, emphasizing that the success was the result of long-term collaboration and a convergence of factors. Separately, Pivtsaev noted that following Team Spirit’s success, many organizations began copying its approach to scouting young players; however, in his opinion, the key factor remains the presence of strong management personnel, who are difficult to replace.

Ilya noted that Korb3n’s strength lies in his ability to assemble players who are both skilled at the game and capable of maintaining a healthy team atmosphere. According to him, this allows for the creation of stable teams capable of achieving high results. He also mentioned that he has known Silent for a long time, having crossed paths with him repeatedly at LAN tournaments. Illidan highlighted his strategic thinking, ability to explain gameplay moments clearly, and high motivation, especially in the period leading up to their victory at the first The International.

According to Illidan, Team Spirit’s philosophy is based on honesty within the team, between players, management, and the audience. He noted that the organization has a reputation for being a stable structure without high-profile scandals or management mistakes. Separately, Ilya emphasized his trust in the players and his willingness to keep the roster intact even after poor results, which, in his opinion, is a rare and strong trait in esports.

Pivtsaev expressed hope that Team Spirit would have a long-term impact on the development of esports, including through its academy system and infrastructure projects. Illidan noted that such initiatives could help alleviate the industry’s talent shortage and raise the overall level of professionalism. In his view, the organization’s values could serve as a guiding light for new generations of players and disciplines.

Earlier, Team Spirit analyst Mark “sikle” Lerman spoke about joining the organization, his work as an analyst and its value, as well as sharing his thoughts on interacting with players, the team’s structure, the approach to work within the club, and his personal professional development.

Photo — Team Spirit.