How Team Liquid won its second Aegis after seven years

As a seasoned esports enthusiast with years of immersion in the dynamic world of Dota 2, I must say that I am truly captivated by the journey of Team Liquid and its remarkable roster. The recent successes they’ve achieved, particularly their second Aegis win, are a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork, and unwavering faith in one’s talent.

Team Liquid clinches their second title as an esports organization, marking the first win with this particular group of players, and it’s the second time a member from the team achieves this feat, seven years since Team Liquid last triumphed in the Grand Finals at TI7. Let’s explore their journey to success.

Over a span of thirteen years, it’s become common for both teams and individual players to amass multiple victories in the Aegis of the Immortals throughout their careers. Yet, Team Liquid could make history by becoming the first organization to win two Aegises with separate rosters who don’t have a single player in common.

Team Liquid’s lineup that won this year’s The International is as follows:

Michael “miCKe” Vu
Michał “Nisha” Jankowski
Neta “33” Shapira (captain)
Samuel “Box” Svahn
Aydin “Insania” Sarkohi”

They are coached by William “Blitz” Lee and Mathis “Jabbz” Friesel.

Since October 2019, miCKe, Boxi, Insania, and Blitz have all been part of the same team. Interestingly enough, it was during this same period that the original Aegis-winning members of Team Liquid departed from the organization. These former members, led by KuroKy, went on to create Nigma Galaxy. In essence, this current lineup of Team Liquid can be considered as a successor to its previous championship team.

In a heartfelt display, emotions peaked as Team Liquid clinched victory, with their coach Blitz appearing on the verge of tears during the ceremony where the Aegis of the Immortals was presented. Fervent supporters of the team rejoiced in their triumph, recalling that they had long believed they were destined for a championship title, having come up short in 2022 when they placed third at The International.

Insania, miCKe, and Boxi: Teammates since Alliance

2017 saw KuroKy, then captain of Team Liquid, claim their inaugural Aegis win. At that time, micke, Insania, and Boxi were still representing a different organization. Interestingly, the trio had already formed a team together in Sweden’s The Alliance earlier on.

Previously, neither 33 nor Nisha were members of Team Liquid. Instead, they were teamed up with two other Alliance alumni, Tommy “Taiga” Lee and Maximilian “Qojqva” Bröcker. As a result of these departures, two renowned players, MATUMBAMAN (TI7 champion with Team Liquid) and zai (considered one of the greatest Dota 2 players without an Aegis win), joined the team.

Matumbaman decided to retire from his team in 2022 when they didn’t win the Aegis, which allowed Nisha (previously with Team Secret) to join the squad. Similarly, Zai stepped away from professional play when he took on the role of General Manager at Tundra Esports after leaving Team Liquid.

It turns out that Zai leaving for Tundra Esports is what led to 33 joining Team Liquid, as he was previously part of Tundra Esports.

Essentially, this team’s foundation has been intact since 2017, even when they were still part of The Alliance. Blitz joined and remained as their coach in 2019, recognizing the team’s potential. He stayed with them until they ultimately claimed the Aegis five years later.

33 raises another Aegis with a whole new team

33, who clinched the Aegis with Tundra Esports at The International 2022, departed from his previous team late last year to join Team Liquid. He officially joined the roster in November during the post-TI shuffle, making him a relatively new addition to Team Liquid. His arrival on the team has resulted in Team Liquid achieving third place at ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 and a second-place finish at Riyadh Masters 2024, suggesting that he is an excellent fit for the squad.

33 is now the latest professional Dota 2 player to achieve a second victory at The International following his triumph at TI13.

Nisha finally steps out of Puppey’s shadow

On Team Liquid’s roster, Nisha was another key player, being the youngest among them all. Before joining Team Liquid, he primarily played for Team Secret, teaming up with the legendary support captain and TI Champion Clement “Puppey” Ivanov in 2018.

Puppey, known for his stern leadership and high-level play, was a challenge for many. However, while playing on Team Secret, Nisha excelled and frequently contributed to the team’s victories. In fact, he was honored with the PC Player of the Year award at the Esports Awards in 2020. Yet, it became apparent that Nisha needed new challenges to grow, leading him to join Team Liquid following his release from Team Secret in December 2022.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the fact that Nisha has matched Puppey’s trophy count. This prodigious player, who has been instrumental in honing my captain’s skills over the past few years, now shares the same impressive number of victories with him. And here’s what’s truly remarkable – even after 13 years in the professional gaming scene, Puppey is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s already gearing up for another run at The International, ready to make a fresh start with a brand-new team for the 2024-2025 season. It’s an exciting time to be a fan!

Blitz’s and Jabbz’s Retribution

Lastly, let’s discuss the coaches of Team Liquid: Blitz and Jabbz, both seasoned professionals in esports. Jabbz joined Team Liquid in 2020, stepping into coaching for the first time after his previous engagements with other teams didn’t yield results. In Team Liquid, he has proven to be a mastermind in analytics and is undeniably a key contributor to their victories.

Since 2016, Blitz has been coaching top-tier teams, including Digital Chaos, Thunderbirds, and Planet Odd. Known for his innovative strategies and tactics, he frequently achieved impressive results with these teams. Nevertheless, it was Team Liquid that he felt had the most potential. Despite the team missing The International in 2020, Blitz remained loyal to them.

As a gamer, I’ve always stood by Team Liquid, even when we hit a rough patch during the 2019-2020 season. My belief in their core was unwavering, and it turns out that staying true to our principles and working as a team can lead to some amazing outcomes. The payoff for my faith has been immense!

Team Liquid’s faith in its roster brought it its second Aegis

Clearly, we must credit Team Liquid for their unwavering belief in this roster and nurturing them through tough times. Even when the team struggled to qualify for playoffs or faced calls from fans to dissolve, Team Liquid remained steadfast in their support.

It’s significant to mention that Team Liquid claimed their first Aegis by maintaining their core members: KuroKy, MATUMBAMAN, Miracle-, MinD-ContRoL, and GH. This team, which had been together for a considerable period before their triumph in 2017, eventually clinched the top prize.

Team Liquid has consistently kept its teams together over time, and their commitment to staying the course and maintaining their primary lineup is a significant factor in their organizational achievements.

2024-09-17 10:39