Virtus.Pro landed the highly coveted The International 2023 regional qualifier spot designated for Eastern Europe after sweeping through One Move.

Eastern Europe has been in turmoil and conflict since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. And the esports landscape for the region hasn't been the same since. 

  • Read Mira and Yatoro reported to be banned from Ukrainian Esports Federation

However, the picture looks brighter for Dota 2 players in the region. In 2023, four teams will head to Seattle for The International 2023 and compete in the pinnacle of all Dota 2 events of the year. 

9pandas took 4th place in the DPC with 1496 points, TI 2021 champions Team Spirit in 10th place with 1020 points, and BetBoom with quite an exciting (or nail-biting and very least - dramatic) 12th place grab with 760 points. 

  • Read BetBoom penalized with default loss; Drop to lower brackets at Bali Major

Virtus.pro went through the entire DPC 2022-23 Season taking 4th place in all three tours. It must have been extremely frustrating always to be the bridesmaid and never the bride. 

But sometimes there is a silver lining. With the three teams that always edged them out of a Major slot already qualified, it left Virtus.pro an opportunity to finally seize their own. 

Favored to be the front-runner, One Move wasn't too far behind VP ever. Not in each of the tours through the season nor in the qualifiers. 

In the upper bracket finals, these two faced off with VP crushing OM 2:0. The grand finals stage was set for a rematch, yet once again OM would always be a step behind. 

VP emerged from the shadows with a clean run (dropping only 1 game, which was over 70 minutes long) through the qualifiers and a flawless victory in the grand finals. 

The International 2023 Teams

 (DPC Rank #1) WEU
 (DPC Rank #2) WEU
 (DPC Rank #3) WEU
 (DPC Rank #4) EEU
 (DPC Rank #5) SA
 (DPC Rank #6) CN
 (DPC Rank #7) NA
 (DPC Rank #8) SEA
  (DPC Rank #9) SA
 (DPC Rank #10) EEU
 (DPC Rank #11) NA
 (DPC Rank #12) EEU
 (Regional Qualifier) CN
 (Regional Qualifier) NA
  (Regional Qualifier) EEU


The International 2023

The International returns to the US after four editions held around the world. TI7 was the last edition hosted by the Key Arena in Seattle, where Team Liquid lifted the Aegis of Champions. From there on, each year TI went to different parts of the globe. Key Arena, which now is Climate Pledge arena from Seattle will be the home for The International 2023. 

  • Read The International is returning to Seattle

The International 2023: October 27-29

The eight teams that make it to The International 2023 (TI12) will play at the refurbished Key Arena, now Climate Pledge Arena, for a shot at the most wanted Dota 2 trophy, the Aegis of Champions.

  • Read Valve announces changes to The International format and schedule

Friday and Saturday will feature the upper bracket semifinals, finals, and the first round of elimination matches. The top three teams will return to the arena on Sunday, October 29 for the lower bracket finals followed by the best-of-five grand finals.

  • Read TI12 tickets to go on sale next week at over $700