The offlaner for Team Yandex, Noticed, will be absent for the upcoming BLAST Slam VI LAN Playoffs due to visa issues.
Dota 2's BLAST Slam VI confirmed its Playoffs lineup two days ago, with the Top 6 teams set to battle it out from 13-17 February in Malta. However, one of the tournament’s leading contenders, 
Team Yandex, will not be able to field their full roster, as 
Evgeniy “Noticed” Ignatenko has been unable to secure visa in time.
Stepping in as a stand-in is Kazakhstani offlaner 
Abdimalik “Malik`” Sailau, best known for his run with 
PSG Quest between 2023 and 2024, as well as a brief stint with 
Team Spirit in late 2024. Since then, Malik has represented 
L1GA TEAM and featured in several informal stacks, albeit without notable results.
There are inevitable questions over whether Malik can replicate Noticed’s strong performances, which helped Yandex secure multiple top results in recent tournaments, including a historic victory at DreamLeague Season 27. Nevertheless, Malik is regarded as one of the most reliable options available.
And who knows–we may witness a repeat of Wallachia Season 6, when 
MOUZ lifted the trophy with kaori assisting as a stand-in.
Team Yandex head into BLAST Slam VI Playoffs as one of the favourites
The team had a strong reputation coming into the event, however, Yandex’s campaign at BLAST Slam VI did not begin smoothly. They endured a difficult Group Stage, suffering defeats to 
GamerLegion, 
HEROIC, MOUZ, 
OG, and 
Tundra Esports. This placed them at risk of elimination, forcing them into the Play-In stage. There, they delivered a statement performance, sweeping Team Spirit 2–0 to secure their place in the main event.
In the Playoffs, Yandex will face an intriguing lineup including 
Natus Vincere, OG, 
Team Liquid, HEROIC, and 
Team Falcons. The road to the title runs through a full best-of-five Playoffs bracket, culminating in the grand final. With a US$1 million prize pool on the line–and defending champions Tundra Esports already eliminated–the path to a new BLAST champion appears wide open.
Despite the roster setback, Yandex remain one of the favourites heading into the BLAST Slam VI Playoffs. With Malik stepping in, their prospects still appear promising, particularly with fans hoping for strong synergy between him and fellow Kazakhstani player Alimzhan “Watson” Islambekov.
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