GoCore Logo

Image source

Team Liquid secured the championship at BLAST Slam VI in Malta on February 15, defeating Natus Vincere 3-1 in the Grand Final to claim the $400,000 top prize. The European powerhouse's victory marked a redemption story after struggling with consistency throughout the early 2026 season despite roster changes featuring former Gaimin Gladiators players. NAVI's runner-up finish represented the Ukrainian organization's first Tier 1 tournament final since ESL One Germany 2020, where they also fell to Liquid by an identical 3-1 scoreline.

The million-dollar event featured 12 elite squads competing through a grueling single round-robin group stage before advancing to single-elimination playoffs where all matches were contested in best-of-five series. OG and NAVI topped the group stage with identical 7-4 records to secure direct semifinal berths, while defending four-time champions Tundra Esports suffered a shocking elimination in the Play-In stage. The tournament delivered dramatic storylines at every stage, from unexpected upsets to intense playoff battles that tested the world's best teams.

group stage.webp

Image source

Team Liquid's Playoff Journey Through Five-Game Thrillers

Team Liquid's path to the championship tested their mental fortitude repeatedly. The squad finished third in the group stage with a 7-4 record but lost the tiebreaker to OG and NAVI, forcing them through the Play-In bracket. After sweeping North American underdogs GamerLegion, Liquid faced reigning International champions Team Falcons in a quarterfinal clash that delivered the tournament's most intense series. Michał "Nisha" Jankowski earned widespread praise for his exceptional performance on Leshrac, Storm Spirit, and Void Spirit as Liquid edged out Falcons 3-2.

falcons vs liq.webp

Image source

The semifinals presented another marquee matchup against OG's Filipino roster. Liquid produced their most dominant performance of the dota 2 ongoing tournament, sweeping OG 3-0 to secure their Grand Final berth. Support players Samuel "Boxi" Svan and Marcus "Ace" Hoelgaard coordinated flawlessly while Nisha continued his midlane dominance. The championship victory held particular significance for Liquid after their shocking failure to qualify for ESL One Birmingham earlier in the season.

og vs liq.webp

Image source

NAVI's Unexpected Rise From Group Stage Leaders to Grand Finalists

Natus Vincere entered the event with modest expectations but delivered one of the tournament's most compelling narratives. The predominantly young Eastern European squad topped the group stage alongside OG, securing victories over Tundra Esports, REKONIX, Team Falcons, MOUZ, OG, GamerLegion, and Xtreme Gaming. Their direct advancement to the semifinals marked a significant achievement for a roster many considered inexperienced at the highest competitive level.

NAVI's semifinal against Team Yandex produced another dramatic five-game series. After splitting the first four maps, NAVI demonstrated composure beyond their years to close out the decisive game and reach the Grand Final. Carry player Taras "gotthejuice" Linnikov led NAVI's offensive efforts throughout the event, earning recognition as one of Ilya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk's main competitors on the professional scene according to analyst Alexander "Nix" Levin.

Grand Final Dominance Despite NAVI's Brief Second Map Resistance

Image source

The Grand Final opened with Team Liquid establishing control after an even early game. Following the 20-minute mark, Liquid applied relentless pressure while extending their gold advantage past 25,000. The second game provided the series' most competitive action, with NAVI equalizing in a marathon 60-minute battle. However, Liquid reasserted dominance in maps three and four, controlling both from the opening minutes.

gam 4.webp

Image Source

In the championship-clinching fourth game, Liquid never relinquished their advantage after the laning stage, securing victory with a dominant 32-minute performance punctuated by a 33-10 kill lead. Marcus "miCKe" Svan on Dragon Knight delivered an 11-kill, 10-assist, one-death performance while Nisha on Ember Spirit contributed 10 kills and 10 assists against three deaths.

BLAST Slam VI Impact on Upcoming Dota 2 Tournaments and Competitive Landscape

Team Liquid's championship performance establishes them as top contenders heading into the next phase of competitive play. The Dota 2 scene now shifts focus to upcoming Dota 2 tournaments including DreamLeague Season 28 and PGL Wallachia Season 7, where Liquid will attempt to maintain their championship form. NAVI's second-place finish proves their young roster can compete against elite opposition, suggesting they will remain dangerous opponents in future events.

dream league.webp

Image source

OG demonstrated consistent strength despite their semifinal sweep, finishing the group stage with a 7-4 record after a perfect 4-0 opening day. Their performance indicates the Filipino roster possesses championship-caliber talent. Team Falcons, despite their quarterfinal exit, remain formidable opponents with International pedigree. The competitive balance demonstrated across all tournament stages reinforces expectations for intense competition at upcoming Dota 2 tournaments throughout the spring season.

Tundra Esports' shocking elimination by HEROIC in the Play-In stage ended their dynasty after consecutive victories since BLAST Slam II in February 2025. Their $1.2 million prize earnings from the tournament series demonstrated their previous dominance, making this upset particularly significant for the competitive hierarchy heading into future events.

BLAST Slam VI Creates New Opportunities on Dota 2 Betting Site Platforms

The tournament delivered exceptional value for competitive analysis across multiple Dota 2 betting site communities. NAVI's unexpected run from group stage leaders to Grand Finalists created particularly favorable opportunities for those who recognized their potential early in the event. Liquid's championship odds shifted dramatically throughout their playoff run, especially after their five-game thriller against Team Falcons demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure.

Tundra Esports' elimination represented the tournament's most shocking result from a predictions perspective, as the defending champions had established themselves as favorites on most Dota betting site platforms. HEROIC's South American roster capitalized on Tundra's uncharacteristic struggles to deliver the Play-In stage's biggest upset. Team Spirit and Xtreme Gaming also suffered eliminations despite strong pre-tournament expectations, creating additional volatility across competitive forecasts.

The unpredictability demonstrated throughout BLAST Slam VI reinforces Dota 2's reputation for championship-level competition where favorites can fall at any stage. This competitive balance creates compelling opportunities for detailed analysis and strategic evaluation heading into the next wave of major tournaments.