Will this victory also help OG make a case as the replacement for Gaimin Gladiators at The International 2025?
Iconic esports organisation, 
OG, has finally broken free from its two-year slump in Dota 2. The team claimed their first tournament victory since ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 by winning CCT Season 2 Series 4.
Throughout the nine-day event, OG prevailed against many emerging teams like 
Yellow Submarine and 
Team Yandex, winning the grand prize of US$25,000 from the US$40,000 prize pool. Although the title may not carry the same prestige as a major championship, it could mark a turning point in OG’s prolonged struggles.
Beyond breaking their title drought, OG’s CCT win could carry an even larger significance as The International (TI) 2025, this year's Dota 2 world championship tournament. Just days ago, Valve revealed that 
Gaimin Gladiators—one of the eight directly-invited teams—would be withdrawing from Ti 2025 due to an internal conflict, leaving one coveted slot wide open. The developer is now on the hunt for a suitable replacement just ten days before the championship begins.
Many in the community are expecting OG to be selected, and their timely victory could strengthen their case as a replacement. The team were just one map away from qualifying for TI, finishing third in the Western European qualifier. They are also among the few established organisations that likely face no logistical hurdles in making it to TI on such short notice.
On top of that, many other potential teams are no longer available to fill in. 
Shopify Rebellion, the runner-up for the North American qualifier, has disbanded its roster and departed the Dota 2 competitive scene while 
Talon Esports–the third place team of the Southeast Asia qualifier–have already made roster changes.
Will OG receive the call to The International?
With TI 2025 set to begin in Hamburg, Germany, on September 4, all eyes are on Valve’s decision. If OG secures the invitation, we may witness the return of their trademark magic. Known for thriving on storylines, a miraculous invite to the world’s biggest Dota 2 stage could set the scene for a dramatic redemption arc.
OG’s current lineup features 
Indji “Shad” Lub, 
Daniel “Stormstormer” Schoetzau, 
Mihajlo “MikSa`” Jovanovic, 
Tamir “daze” Tokpanov, and 
Ivan “Kidaro” Bondarev plus 
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein as their coach. It is worth noting that OG won CCT Season2 Series 4 with 
Rodrigo “Lelis” Santos as a substitute for Kidaro.
For more information on the biggest Dota 2 tournament of the year, check out GosuGamers' guide to this year's Dota 2 world championship tournament and TI 2025 tournament tracker.
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