Yatoro Lists TI12 Favorites: GG, Tundra, and….

Team Spirit carry Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk has named the teams he believes will be the frontrunners at TI12

Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk, the captain of Team Spirit, has singled out the most promising teams among the participants of The International 2023. In a recent podcast session with renowned Ukrainian commentator Storm, Yatoro dropped the names of the teams he believes have the best chances of lifting the coveted TI12 trophy at the end of October.

TI12 Favorites Revealed by Team Spirit's Yatoro

“Talon, Tundra, and either Team Liquid or Gaimin Gladiators,” The Team Spirit carry revealed his first three picks as the TI12 favorites.

“It's also unclear what's up with LGD,” he continued. “They were sitting in China and doing god knows what. Possible that they just played 40 pubs a day, and it's unclear what to expect from them. They could demolish everyone, or they could keep playing as they did this season. So, it's a questionable pick.”

Talon seemed to be an interesting pick as an International 2023 contender. The Hong Kong-based organization had a horrendous International campaign last time around as they failed to progress beyond the group stages in Singapore and finished 17th-18th. Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong and company have made the Bali Major and Royadh Masters semifinals in recent times, but they fly to Seattle right after an underwhelming DreamLeague Season 21 campaign, which resulted in another group stage exit for the Asian powerhouse.

“They are a very strong team,” Yatoro explains why he chose to name Talon as one of the most formidable teams to fight for International 2023 glory. “They have one of the strongest 4 position and mid players, and their 5 position is top-5 in the world. Jabz is just a solid offlaner, and 23savage is one of the best carries in the world. If he will play on his signature heroes, he will have a lot of impact. This team is incredible.”

No ultimo fim de semana, a Team Spirit conquistou a DreamLeague Season 21 com uma vitória consistente em cima de Shopify Rebellion (3-0)

A conquista dá a Spirit aumento significativo de confiança antes do principal evento do ano, o The International 12#TI12 #rtzVice pic.twitter.com/bhdTTednWL

— Last Hit (@lasthitesports) September 25, 2023

The Ukrainian player, in a notable omission, didn't mention his own team, but it's worth highlighting that Team Spirit is entering The International with a red-hot streak. While their performance in TI11 left much to be desired, they've undergone a remarkable transformation since then, securing back-to-back victories in the Riyadh Masters and conquering DreamLeague Season 21. They will be undoubtedly a team to watch in the upcoming showpiece Dota 2 event.

When is TI12 Starting?

The eagerly awaited International 2023 is set to kick off on October 12, marking the beginning of a thrilling battle among 20 top-tier Dota 2 teams. The stakes are incredibly high this year, with a prize pool that could go as high as a staggering $15 million.

What sets this year's event apart is its revamped format, designed to bring even more excitement and strategy to the tournament. The 20 participating teams will be divided into four groups, each comprising five teams. This format promises a dynamic group stage, where teams will have to navigate a series of intense battles to secure their positions in the playoffs.

One notable change from previous years is the absence of the best-of-1 “meatgrinder” matches in the first round of the lower bracket. This alteration adds a new layer of strategy and competitiveness to the tournament. Teams will now have the opportunity to showcase their resilience and adaptability in a more extended series, offering fans a chance to witness thrilling comebacks and epic showdowns.

The introduction of seeding matches for the playoffs also adds a strategic element to the competition. Teams will need to carefully position themselves to secure favorable matchups in the playoffs, making every game in the group stage crucial to their overall tournament strategy.