Dota 2’s The Worldwide at all times comes with surprises, however only some anticipated one of many world’s high groups to withdraw from the occasion totally. After the Gaimin Gladiators introduced it might miss the occasion, Valve has chosen an official alternative who will take the place of the Western European squad.
Yakutou Brothers get the call-up
The squad filling the vacant spot has now been confirmed: Yakutou Brothers (previously Yakult’s Brothers) will step in for the Gaimin Gladiators at TI14. The Chinese language squad narrowly missed direct qualification after falling to Xtreme Gaming within the grand finals of the CN qualifier. However now, they’ve been handed a miraculous second likelihood on the most important stage of all of them.
Right here is the present Yakutou Brothers roster:
Zhiyi “flyfly” Jin
Yi “Emo” Zhou
Xiang “Past” Zhenghong
Zhibiao “BoBoKa” Ye
Chon Kien “Oli” Chan
Most gamers on the roster are not any strangers to top-tier play: the group is a mixture of expertise and firepower. BoBoKa and Oli are family names, bringing years of TI pedigree, whereas Emo and flyfly are well-known names within the Chinese language scene for taking part in their respective roles. Past, the group’s rookie, may not be a well-recognized title to many followers, however the offlaner has had a style of TI earlier than. He certified for final yr’s Worldwide and now has an opportunity to show himself once more, this time with a extra tried-and-tested forged round him.
Why not OG? Valve balancing the sphere
When GG’s withdrawal was introduced, most followers assumed the alternative would come from Europe, particularly Western Europe – the identical area GG reside in. That will have put OG because the frontrunner, given the group positioned third within the WEU qualifier behind NAVI and Nigma Galaxy.
As an alternative, Valve made a distinct alternative – including a 3rd Chinese language group to the occasion’s lineup. Europe already had the best variety of representatives at TI14, whereas China had solely two. Inviting Yakutou Brothers helps steadiness the regional unfold of the event, giving the Chinese language scene one other likelihood to shine on the world stage.
Talon Esports was a candidate, too
The Worldwide heads to Hamburg for 2025 Picture Credit score: Valve
With Valve’s strategy of making an attempt to unfold regional representatives, one other title that surfaced in hypothesis was Talon Esports, arguably the strongest Southeast Asian group that surprisingly dropped out of the regional qualifiers.
Nonetheless, its hopes of receiving the call-up might need taken a success when carry participant Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon parted methods with the roster following its Esports World Cup 2025 qualifier loss. Talon’s probabilities of being chosen had been slim with out a five-man lineup able to play.
That left Yakutou Brothers as essentially the most sensible choice with such brief discover – an entire, ready-to-play roster. With TI14 being hosted in Germany, it’s seemingly the group had its visas ready, whereas different potential replacements could not have.
What is going to Yakutou Brothers convey to TI14?
Although the squad wasn’t a part of the unique 16, Yakutou Brothers shouldn’t be written off totally. Its qualifier run confirmed flashes of brilliance, because it wwas capable of take the higher bracket ultimate sequence in opposition to Xtreme Gaming.
The Brothers additionally had a number of respectable finishes all year long, discovering its approach into the highest six of DreamLeague Season 26 and BLAST Slam II in opposition to top-tier competitors – the identical caliber of opponents it’ll be dealing with once more at TI14.
For China, its inclusion is a fine addition. As soon as essentially the most dominant area in Dota 2, Chinese language groups have struggled to copy their success for nearly a decade. With Xtreme Gaming and Staff Tidebound already within the combine, Yakutou Brothers now be part of the cost to convey the Aegis again to China.
