Analyst Inmate Names Favorites for The International 2025 in Dota 2
Russian-language analyst Dmitry “Inmate” Filinov, working at The International 2025 studio, shared his predictions on the likely outcome of the tournament and ranked the teams he expects to fight for the top places.
According to Inmate, the current balance of power in the Dota 2 scene favors Team Spirit, Falcons, Team Liquid, and Tundra Esports, while other teams like Aurora, BetBoom, and PARIVISION could also make deep runs depending on bracket luck.
Inmate’s Predicted Top 4
Inmate’s projected list of tournament leaders focuses on the squads that have consistently delivered results in the 2024–2025 competitive season. Team Falcons – winners of multiple international events this year, Falcons enter TI14 as one of the most stable and aggressive rosters. Their controlled early game and excellent late-game execution have made them the most feared team in scrims and official matches. Team Spirit – reigning CIS powerhouse. Their combination of discipline, tactical flexibility, and championship experience makes them the highest-ranked team from Eastern Europe. Spirit’s ability to perform under pressure remains unmatched in the region.
Team Liquid – one of Western Europe’s most consistent squads, known for reaching multiple Major finals. Liquid’s roster stability and refined drafting approach allow them to stay competitive even when the meta shifts quickly. Tundra Esports – famous for innovation. Tundra are often credited with pushing new strategies before other teams adapt. Inmate highlighted that their creativity in drafting can secure advantages against more rigid opponents. “If we take the entire tournament, I can try to guess the top 4 – Falcons, Spirit, Liquid… and let it be Tundra,” Filinov said.Inmate also analyzed several teams he expects to finish outside the Top 4 but still leave their mark:Aurora – projected Top 8.
Aurora have shown growth throughout the season but lack the consistency of the main contenders. Still, their strong laning phase and disciplined approach could carry them into deep playoff rounds. BetBoom Team – predicted around Top 10. Known for explosive early-game strategies, BetBoom can trouble favorites but have often faltered in best-of-five series. Inmate’s estimate reflects their talent but also their inconsistency. PARIVISION – perhaps the most unpredictable squad on his list. “As luck would have it, but on average, fifth or sixth place would be a good result in my opinion.
If the grid goes well, they could be in the Top 3,” he noted. This reflects the volatility of TI: a favorable bracket can lift an outsider into medal contention.Special attention was given to Team Spirit. For Inmate, Spirit remain the undisputed leaders of Eastern Europe, ahead of BetBoom and PARIVISION in terms of stability and big-tournament mentality. Since their TI10 victory in 2021, Spirit have remained among the world’s best, consistently finishing at the top of international events. Players like Yatoro and Collapse have proven themselves capable of handling the immense psychological pressure of The International — a quality that few teams possess. Inmate’s ranking places Spirit as the region’s only guaranteed favorite for a podium finish, with other CIS teams depending more on favorable draws and form peaks.
Why Falcons Lead the Pack
Among all teams, Falcons receive the strongest endorsement from Inmate. Their ability to dominate across different patches, execute sharp early-game movements, and close games efficiently has made them a standout roster of 2025. Multiple Major victories this season. Consistently top finishes in third-party events. High synergy among players across all positions. Their balanced style — strong lanes, precise mid-game decision-making, and late-game teamfight stability — makes them the team to beat at TI14.
Western Europe once again enters TI with multiple contenders: Team Liquid – despite repeated finals appearances without lifting the Aegis, Liquid remain a model of consistency. Their ability to adapt across patches and their veteran leadership keep them in every conversation about potential champions. Tundra Esports – bring unpredictability. Known for pushing unique strategies (unconventional heroes, surprise drafts, creative lanes), Tundra thrive when the meta is unsettled. Inmate suggested that such adaptability could give them the edge in best-of-three knockout matches.Together, these two teams ensure that Western Europe remains a serious challenger to both Falcons and Spirit.
