Team Liquid and Team Yandex advance to the Semifinals and secure a Top 4 placement at BLAST Slam VI.
The ongoing US$1 million Dota 2 tournament, BLAST Slam VI, has bid farewell to two teams following a fierce best-of-five showdown, as reigning world champions 
Team Falcons and South America’s top team 
Heroic were eliminated. Both teams exit the event in the Top 6, taking home US$50,000 in consolation prize money.
The winners of the two matches, 
Team Liquid and 
Team Yandex, now advance to face 
OG and 
Natus Vincere respectively in the Semifinals. The victors will secure a place in the Grand Final, where they will compete for the championship title and the US$500,000 top prize.
Team Liquid returns strong after a brief slump
Team Liquid appear to have rediscovered their much-needed momentum at the first major Dota 2 event of the year. Since signing former 
Gaimin Gladiators duo 
Marcus “Ace” Hoelgaard and 
Erik “tOfu” Engel, Liquid have struggled for consistency, including a shocking failure to qualify for ESL One Birmingham.
Given their recent poor results, many doubted whether Liquid could make a deep run in this tournament. Although they began their BLAST campaign well during the Group Stage, finishing in the Top 3, many remained skeptical–especially when compared to early-season frontrunners such as 
Team Spirit and Team Yandex.
Further doubts lingered as Liquid reached the Playoffs by defeating North American underdogs 
GamerLegion in the Play-In stage. While it was a convincing victory, it did little to up their credentials.
However, in their main event clash against Falcons, Liquid truly shone, edging out The International champions 3-2 in an intense series.
Throughout the back-and-forth battle, Liquid displayed exceptional teamwork and composure. 
Michał “Nisha” Jankowski stood out in the midlane on Leshrac, Storm Spirit and Void Spirit, heavily praised as a winning factor for the team. They now move on to face an in-form OG in the Semifinals, a once-struggling powerhouse now chasing its first major title in years.
Team Yandex swiftly took down HEROIC
In contrast to the dramatic five-game thriller, the series between Team Yandex and HEROIC unfolded largely as expected. While HEROIC boast a longer history at the top level, Yandex have surged to prominence following outstanding early-season performances, consistently securing podium finishes and closing out 2026 with victory at DreamLeague Season 27.
Despite competing without their offlaner Noticed, who remains sidelined due to visa issues, Yandex continued to impress with 
Abdimalik “Malik`” Sailau stepping in as a stand-in.
Although HEROIC managed to steal the opening game with a surprise “cheese” Meepo pick for 
Yuma “Yuma” Langlet, Yandex responded effectively in the following maps to end the series 3-1. Alimzhan “Watson” Islambekov proved particularly dominant in each of their wins, with efficient farming and a high KDA.
Yandex now advance confidently to the Semifinals, where they will face NAVI–a historic organisation eager to achieve a breakthrough result with their predominantly young line-up.
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