The International 2025 (TI2025) is more than just a tournament; it`s the ultimate proving ground for professional Dota 2 teams, a crucible where legacies are forged and dreams can either soar or shatter. For BetBoom Team, a recent, heart-stopping victory over their long-standing regional adversaries, PARIVISION, transcended mere competitive success. It was a deeply personal and pivotal moment, guaranteeing their coveted entry into the main playoff stage of TI2025.
Vitaly “Save-” Melnik, BetBoom Team`s astute support player, offered a candid and insightful look into the high stakes, raw emotions, and intricate strategies that defined their qualification. His reflections paint a vivid picture of what it truly means to compete at the zenith of esports.
A Playoff Dream Realized: Echoes from a Familiar Arena
For Save-, the achievement of reaching the TI2025 playoffs carries a special, almost nostalgic, significance. He openly shared his profound joy, emphasizing that competing annually on Dota 2`s grandest stage is a cherished, lifelong ambition. Yet, beyond this universal aspiration, a unique personal connection to the impending playoff venue adds another layer of emotion.
“I am incredibly happy. Playing in the main stage of TI every year is my dream. <…> It`s always great to play in the playoffs; there`s more emotion. This is what we play Dota for. I`m already looking forward to the next matches. By the way, in 2019 in Hamburg, it seems, even in the same arena, I made my LAN debut — just like gpK~. So, I`m eagerly awaiting it.”
The sentiment is palpable. The venue, potentially the very same where Save- first stepped onto a professional LAN stage in 2019, transforms a significant career milestone into a journey through time. It’s a powerful testament to the often-arduous path of esports professionals, where iconic locations become tangible markers of personal and collective evolution.
The Unspoken Rivalry: BetBoom Team vs. PARIVISION
While a playoff berth at TI2025 provides ample motivation, Save- revealed that the victory against PARIVISION was imbued with an additional, deeply ingrained significance. “First, of course, [we were so happy about the win] because we made it to the TI playoffs,” he stated. “Secondly, we defeated PARIVISION — they are our personal enemy from the CIS region.”
This “personal enemy” designation isn`t mere hyperbole. It stems from a persistent and frustrating losing streak against PARIVISION, which had dogged BetBoom Team since December 2024. For months, they had struggled to overcome their regional counterparts, making this decisive 2:1 victory a cathartic release. The intensity of the moment was so palpable that, as Save- vividly recounted, one of his teammates literally destroyed their keyboard upon PARIVISION`s ancient falling – a visceral, if slightly unconventional, manifestation of pent-up frustration and triumphant relief.
Such deeply felt rivalries are the true lifeblood of competitive esports. They infuse matches with layers of narrative and emotion that transcend mere skill differences, compelling teams to push beyond their perceived limits, constantly adapt, and relentlessly pursue perfection. This was vividly demonstrated in their decisive third game, where BetBoom Team orchestrated an astonishing 29,000 gold comeback. What initially appeared to be an insurmountable deficit was transformed into a glorious victory, a testament to their resilience, and their ticket to the main event.
The Crucible of Competition: Eastern European Dota 2
Beyond the immediate triumph, Save- also offered profound insights into the nature of competition within the Eastern European (EEU) Dota 2 scene. When probed about the region`s notoriously high competitive density, he acknowledged that while intense emotions can sometimes lead to misplays, he firmly believes this fierce internal struggle is precisely what sharpens and elevates the region`s teams.
“[Question: `Why, in your opinion, is there such high competition in the CIS region? Does the significance of matches against teams from your region make you play better, or do emotions only hinder?`] When emotions get involved, everyone starts to make mistakes. In the CIS region, there are many strong teams — and that`s what makes everyone in the region better: you have to play very well to win here. I like that.”
This perspective is a powerful one. The competitive pressure cooker of the EEU scene forces teams to constantly refine their strategies, communication, and individual prowess. It`s a demanding environment, yes, but one that ultimately forges battle-hardened contenders ready to challenge the global elite. BetBoom Team`s dramatic comeback against PARIVISION serves as a prime example of this resilience, meticulously honed in the fiery crucible of regional rivalry.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Aegis
With their playoff spot now firmly secured, BetBoom Team shifts its focus to the formidable broader challenge that awaits them at The International 2025. Their journey thus far, punctuated by deeply personal triumphs, intense rivalries, and an incredible display of resilience, positions them as a formidable force to be reckoned with.
The path to the Aegis of Champions, Dota 2`s ultimate prize, is famously fraught with peril and unpredictable twists. Yet, for Save- and his teammates, the sheer joy of competing at the highest possible level, coupled with the profound satisfaction of finally overcoming a long-standing rival, will undoubtedly fuel their ambition. As the curtains prepare to rise on the TI2025 main event, all eyes will be on teams like BetBoom, who embody the raw passion, strategic depth, and unyielding spirit that truly define professional Dota 2.