win.gg
Win.gg Dota 2 Vikin.gg cuts Dota 2 roster after flop in TI10 qualifiers

Vikin.gg cuts Dota 2 roster after flop in TI10 qualifiers

Steven Rondina
Steven Rondina Published 16/07/2021
Google Preferred Source

Vikin.gg has released its Dota 2 team. The European organization that was one of the standout performers of 2020 is stepping away from Dota 2. Vikin.gg announced the news on Twitter with very little explanation:

We made the hard decision to part ways with our current roster: @boomdota, @Shad_Dota, @KheZu, @AramisDota2, @Seleri4096 and @ImmortalFaithd.

We’re proud of everything we’ve achieved together and we wish them nothing but the best.

Thank you for your support so far❤️#VikingWay pic.twitter.com/tBJeK1Ag0t

— Vikin.gg (@GGVikin) July 15, 2021

The team’s players were largely quiet on the matter, with only Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp discussing the matter at any length publicly. The Vikin.gg captain suggested that the team is set to dissolve entirely, and will not remain together to seek a new sponsor.

My time with Vikingg has come to an end.

I had an incredible time working with my teammates, coach and everyone behind the scenes.
We did not have the ending we wanted, but I will not forget everything we accomplished together.

1/3

— Melchior Hillenkamp (@Seleri4096) July 15, 2021

Vikin.gg first entered into Dota 2 after The International 2019, sponsoring a lineup led by veteran player Pittner “bOne7” Armand. That team lasted just two months before being released and was replaced with a roster of European prospects. Despite having limited name value, Vikin.gg performed well in 2020 by dominating smaller events and posting respectable placements in larger events. Its most notable performances were third-place finishes in EPIC League Season 2 and ESL One Los Angeles Online.

Vikin.gg dissolves after failing to qualify for TI10

The team’s success in 2020 didn’t translate especially well to the 2021 DPC leagues. Vikin.gg qualified for the upper division of DreamLeague Season 14 but was relegated after going 2-5. In DreamLeague Season 15’s lower division, Vikin.gg went 7-0 but fell well short of qualifying for The International 2021.

The team started in the upper bracket of the qualifiers and was dealt a 2-1 loss by eventual winner OG. While that isn’t a serious indictment of the team, Vikin.gg was then eliminated entirely with a 2-0 loss to Chicken Fighters. While Vikin.gg wasn’t one of the top contenders to win, the team was still expected to put on a much stronger performance than it did.

Despite flopping in the TI10 qualifiers, Vikin.gg would have been positioned for an upper division start to the next Dota Pro Circuit season. It does seem as though the team is completely dissolved which will likely mean the promotion of another team, depending on how Valve handles qualifications for the next season.

TI10 is not set to begin in October and odds are that all five of the Vikin.gg players will continue playing pro Dota 2. Odds are the players are hoping to land with a larger organization at the start of the next season, whether individually or as the core to a new roster.

Steven Rondina Steven Rondina
About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

View full profile
Read Also
Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals Dota 2
Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals Michael Hassall Team Yandex have defeated LGD Gaming in the grand finals of BLAST Slam VII in a dramatic 3-1 series that saw both teams pushed to the limit, but ultimately Yandex come out on top. Concluding the last major tournament before teams head to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026 next month and in August, Yandex were able to counter the momentum of LGD that had brought them into ...
BLAST Slam VII Finals Predictions and Picks – Can LGD make it all the way? Dota 2
BLAST Slam VII Finals Predictions and Picks – Can LGD make it all the way? Michael Hassall LGD Gaming in the top three of a tournament!? What is this 2021? BLAST Slam VII has been one of the most surprising tournaments of the year, and has capped off the pre-EWC and TI season with some of the most thrilling gameplay we’ve seen in months. And the finals are set to be even more exciting. With just three teams left there’s a lot on the line, from the ...
Easiest Dota 2 Heroes for Beginners – Best Picks to Learn the Game Dota 2
Easiest Dota 2 Heroes for Beginners – Best Picks to Learn the Game Simon Day We can all agree that Dota 2 is a complex game, but starting with the right heroes can make the learning process much smoother. Choosing one of the best Dota 2 heroes for beginners is key to building your skills and enjoying your matches. That’s why it’s time to explore the heroes that are easy to understand, effective in the game and great for learning the fundamentals. Without going into ...
BLAST Slam VII Playoffs Preview – Visa issues transform the playoff picture Dota 2
BLAST Slam VII Playoffs Preview – Visa issues transform the playoff picture Michael Hassall BLAST Slam VII is the last major tournament before teams lock-in and compete at the EWC and The International, and as a result, we’re seeing a tournament with some unique outcomes. With teams seemingly treating this as a last-minute tune-up before the championship clashes of the next two months, a South American team has topped the table and some of the best teams in the world are either without players ...
TI-Champions Tundra Esports exit Dota 2 as roster transfers to 1win Dota 2
TI-Champions Tundra Esports exit Dota 2 as roster transfers to 1win Michael Hassall Tundra Esports has revealed it’s leaving Dota 2 after six years and a victory at The International 2022. The UK-based organization has announced its roster will transfer directly to 1win for future events. The announcement, posted on Tundra's socials on June 1, confirms rumors and earlier social posts from 1win which hinted at a new lineup. With the move, however, questions about 1win’s existing EEU roster and attendance at The ...
A full weekend of TI15 tickets will cost you just $280 – If you don’t mind the view Dota 2
A full weekend of TI15 tickets will cost you just $280 – If you don’t mind the view Michael Hassall Alongside the team invites for The International 2026, Valve today (May 26) unveiled the pricing and details of how to purchase tickets for TI15, and the price is the lowest in years. For years we’ve seen the price of The International Prize, with a peak of around $700 as a lowest price for a full weekend for both 2023 in Seattle, and 2024 in Copenhagen. But after a fall in ...
Valve has announced the TI15 invites: Here’s why some team names are very different Dota 2
Valve has announced the TI15 invites: Here’s why some team names are very different Michael Hassall It’s around three months until The International 2026, TI15, and Valve has just unveiled the direct invites and qualifier invites to the event, but eagle-eyed fans will notice some strange names in the team lists. Valve unveiled the invites in the small hours of the morning on May 26 (late evening on May 25 for their HQ in Bellevue, Washington), detailing the seven direct invites, regional qualifier invites, and some ...