The International’s defending champion is fortifying its roster with not just a one-time, but two-time TI winner.
Tundra Esports, who won TI11 last year, is officially adding Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen as its new midlaner, according to an official press release from the Western Europe organization.
This comes in the wake of Martin “Saksa” Sazdov being moved to the inactive roster ahead of TI12. The support player is “taking an extended break due to health reasons,” according to Tundra’s official announcement.
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Tundra Esports adds Topson to Dota 2 roster
Credit: OG
Oliver “skiter” Lepko
Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen
Neta “33” Shapira
Leon “Nine” Kirilin
Jingjun “Sneyking” Wu
Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (coach)
Topson’s OG stint was the stuff of legends — despite being a near-unknown at the start of their run, his midlane skills was crucial to two straight wins at TI8 and TI9, plus a top half finish at TI10.
Topson has been plying his trade for Old G this season, but failed to come out of Division 2 in Tours 2 and 3. After most of that roster split to other teams to take their chance at the Regional Qualifiers, Topson was conspicuously left without a team — until now.
While he’s been relatively out of the spotlight, Topson has already proven himself to be one of the most aggressive midlaners in the world. The midlaner likely be a good fit for Tundra’s playstyle that often made use of Nine’s esoteric hero pool and ganking skills.
Our first chance at seeing this new roster in action will likely be DreamLeague S21, where Tundra is scheduled to compete.
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