The ESL One Bangkok 2024 tournament continues to unfold with captivating stories, and one team standing out among the competition is AVULUS. This underdog squad has taken the scene by storm, earning recognition through qualifiers and a string of successful online tournaments.
Xibbe: "We’re the dark horse"
Team off-laner Andreas "Xibbe" Ragnemalm shared his thoughts on the team’s unexpected rise: "From most people’s perspective, we’re the dark horse. No one expected us to come out of nowhere, qualify for major tournaments, and win so many online events.
"In a way, we’re a team of outcasts. Even when we formed, no one believed we could deliver results. But we just work well together.
We don’t have inflated egos, and everyone is willing to compromise. There’s no rigidity to our playstyle, and that’s what makes us effective."
SoNNeikO: "Dota 2 is alive, but it lacks heart"
Akbar "SoNNeikO" Butaev, captain of AVULUS, offered his perspective on the current state of professional Dota 2: "It’s too early to say professional Dota is dead. With the involvement of big investors and regular tournaments hosted by ESL, BLAST, and PGL, the scene is thriving.
"However, for everyday players, the barrier to entry is too high. They’re missing fun, heartfelt events and features that could make the game more accessible for newcomers. That’s what the scene is lacking."
Conflict Resolved: Daxak and OneJey Find Common Ground
Russian esports player Nikita "Daxak" Kuzmin announced that he has settled his differences with Belarusian player Ivan "OneJey" Zhivitskiy: "We had a long talk and managed to sort things out. What happened in public stays there. We also discussed the build – it’s not bizarre but innovative. We’ll see if 33 adopts it. Thanks to KuroKy, who helped resolve our conflict during OneJey’s stand-in stint with Nigma."
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the tournament and the Dota 2 scene as a whole. AVULUS continues to capture attention as a shining example of teamwork and resilience, while the esports world strengthens its foundation with new talent and the resolution of conflicts.