The prodigal son has returned. After years of roster turbulence and a difficult outing at The International 2026, OG has officially brought back two-time world champion Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen to headline its new lineup for the 2026-27 Dota 2 season.
This move is a clear attempt by the organization to recapture the identity that once made them the most feared team in the world. Topson, who famously anchored the team’s back-to-back Aegis runs in 2018 and 2019, joins a squad that is looking for stability after a 14th-15th place finish at TI 2026.
A Fresh Start for the Green Wall
The roster rebuild sees a mix of veteran experience and new blood. OG has opted to retain carry John Anthony “Natsumi” Vargas and hard support Rolen Andrei “skem” Ong, who will serve as the team captain. Filling out the remaining slots are offlaner Valery “SSS” Lazarev and position 4 support Ivan “OneJey” Zhivitsky. The team will be guided by Igor “kaffs” Estevão, a coach with experience in both South American and international circuits.
The full 2026-27 OG roster:
- Carry: John Anthony “Natsumi” Vargas
- Midlaner: Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen
- Offlaner: Valery “SSS” Lazarev
- Soft Support: Ivan “OneJey” Zhivitsky
- Hard Support (Captain): Rolen Andrei “skem” Ong
- Coach: Igor “kaffs” Estevão
What to Expect at BLAST SLAM VIII
The pressure is on immediately. The newly formed squad is set to make its competitive debut at BLAST SLAM VIII, which kicks off on September 29. With the tournament featuring top-tier competition, this will be the first real litmus test for whether Topson’s return can translate into immediate results.
Topson’s career has taken many turns since he left OG, including stints with Tundra Esports and a brief, short-notice appearance for LGD at TI 2026. While his individual mechanical prowess remains legendary, the challenge will be integrating his unique, unconventional hero pool into a team that is still finding its rhythm.
For those tracking the team's performance, you can follow the upcoming matches or check out our MyEsports predictions for the latest insights on how the new-look OG might fare in Malta.