“They kicked Zayac, now they’re paying the price” — the community on Pips+4’s victory over NAVI in the Esports World Cup 2026 qualifiers
Commentators and analysts from the Russian-speaking Dota 2 community took to social media to discuss Pipsqueak+4’s victory over Natus Vincere in the final match of the Western Europe closed qualifiers for the 2026 Esports World Cup in Dota 2.
Quotes are reproduced with the original spelling and punctuation
Commentator Gleb “y0nd” Vainov congratulated the winners but highlighted the main issue with away tournaments:
pipsqueek+4 are going to the EWC. The kids snatched the slot from NAVI.
PLEASE GET YOUR VISAS
Caster Vladislav “BLACKARXANGEL” Ivashchenko noted the contribution of Pipsqueak+4 offlaner Abdimalik “Malik” Saylau and drew attention to Natus Vincere’s results following roster changes:
Pipsqueek+4 are heading to the EWC
. Malik is
going full throttle, and they snatched this slot from [Natus Vincere]
The guys kicked the rabbit and are now feasting
Commentator Rustam “Adekvat” Mavlyutov detailed how NAVI missed out on what seemed like a guaranteed spot at the Esports World Cup 2026:
Na’Vi’s path to the EWC
Before the Dream League: everything’s fine, we have enough EPT points, there are a couple of scenarios, but it’s unlikely we won’t make
it. Dream League: we need to beat Playtime and the slot is in the bag. Oops. We just need Playtime to lose to BetBoom and we’re good. Oops
. Okay, we’ll have to go through qualifiers: Lost to LGD 1-2, lost to Pipsqueak+4 1-2 ...
GG
Commentator Arseniy “ArsZeeqq” Usov spoke out about the results of Natus Vincere coach Aske “Cy-” Larsen’s work:
Tear up the contract *** [screw it] with this impostor, Ace’s buddy. ACE’S BUDDY, listen to this. This is *** [horrible].
Of course, it’s not for me to say, you might say, since I also came in ready-made back in the day, but at least I worked my way up from the mud, the shit, and the swamp to the top. And who is this guy?
How can you screw things up so badly for the young guns….
TAKE ASTINI *** [damn] A CRY FROM THE SOUL *** [screw that]
Former professional Dota 2 coach Timur “Ahilles” Kulmukhambetov criticized Natus Vincere’s playstyle and hero picks:
From top 2 blast to trash heap xddd
Navi is just *** [horrible])
What’s going on in their drafter’s head?
What’s going on in the players’ heads?
Why do you pick Alchemist 3 with VOKER and URSA
in decisive games, you *** [crazy]?
Look at what people in Dota are winning
with. What offlaners are they picking?
What’s up with Nik? Top 1 rank, and they’re crushing him on every map
SU is a legend. You’ve got to know how to cement a promising roster of young players.
Congrats to Pipsquik on making it to Paris.
And NAVI? What about NAVI
? They’re also going to Paris, because half of the qualified teams won’t get visas)))))))))))))
Natus Vincere suffered a 1-2 defeat against Pipsqueak+4 in the match for the final slot at the Esports World Cup 2026 in the Western European qualifiers. Aske “Cy-” Larsen’s team had a chance to secure a direct invite to the main tournament through the ESL Pro Tour ranking system, but lost to Aurora Gaming and PlayTime in the DreamLeague Season 29 playoffs, failing to accumulate the necessary number of points.
Photo — EWC Foundation.
Timur Kadyrov
