The dust has finally settled in Malta, and the hierarchy of the 2026-2027 competitive Dota 2 season is becoming clearer. Team Yandex has been crowned champions of BLAST SLAM VIII, cementing their status as the team to beat by taking down Team Spirit 3-1 in a high-stakes best-of-five grand final.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Yandex, as it is their second BLAST title following their success at BLAST SLAM VII earlier this year. With this win, combined with their strong performance at PGL Wallachia Season 9, they have now secured the first two major tournament trophies of the new season.
A Masterclass in Roster Synergy
The biggest talking point of the tournament was undoubtedly Yandex's decision to sign Ammar “ATF” Assaf as their new offlaner. Following his departure from Team Falcons, the move was widely scrutinized, but the results on the server have silenced any doubters. Yandex looked cohesive and formidable throughout the event, navigating a difficult bracket that saw them battle through top-tier competition.
For Team Spirit, the tournament was a test of resilience. Competing without their long-time star Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov and coach Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov—both of whom are currently taking a break—the team relied on Bohdan “Batyuk” Batiuk to fill the offlane role. Despite the roster changes, Spirit managed a commendable second-place finish, proving that their core identity remains intact.
The Playoff Road
The road to the grand final was anything but easy. The playoff bracket was finalized after LGD Gaming and 1W Team secured their spots through the Last Chance stage, eliminating OG and GamerLegion in the process. Once the main event kicked off, Yandex displayed incredible form, dispatching both LGD Gaming and tournament favorites PARIVISION in the opening rounds of the playoffs to punch their ticket to the grand final early.
Meanwhile, Team Spirit fought their way through the lower bracket, eventually setting up the final showdown against Yandex. While Spirit put up a valiant effort, Yandex’s draft flexibility and map control ultimately proved too much to handle in the 3-1 series victory.
As the scene moves forward, all eyes are on whether any team can challenge Yandex’s current dominance. For those looking to track the next big event, you can stay updated with all the upcoming action via our matches hub.