Natus Vincere`s carry player, Artem “Niku” Bachkur, has offered his perspective following the team`s exit from the Riyadh Masters 2025 Dota 2 tournament. NAVI`s journey in the lucrative event concluded after they were defeated by Team Falcons.
In a post-match interview, Niku was remarkably direct about his team`s performance in the decisive series against Falcons. He did not mince words, stating that the match “went very badly for us.” He elaborated on the difficulty of the matchup, admitting his team felt they “almost had no chance to win.”
Identifying the core issues behind the loss, Niku pointed to fundamental aspects of their gameplay and strategy:
Everything went very badly for us. We almost had no chance to win. Bad drafts, bad execution.
He also offered a viewpoint on why top-tier teams consistently perform at a high level, contrasting it with his team`s recent experience. Niku highlighted the dedication and experience prevalent among elite squads:
I think the strongest teams give their all, even when playing against weaker teams. They always prepare well and perform excellently in the match itself. They just have more experience, which makes them stronger.
Looking past the disappointment in Riyadh, Niku confirmed that Natus Vincere is now setting its sights on the biggest prize in competitive Dota 2: The International 2025. The team is determined to dedicate their efforts towards preparing for this premier event.
The goal for The International 2025 is ambitious but clear. Niku stated, “Obviously, we want to play in major tournaments. The International 2025 is ahead of us, and we will try to give our maximum, to reach the playoffs.”
When prompted with the possibility of a rematch against Team Falcons at TI2025, Niku responded with a touch of humor and confidence, suggesting a definitive, albeit hopeful, outcome:
[Question: `Will you get revenge against Team Falcons at TI14?`] Yes, of course, with a 2:0 score (laughs).
Natus Vincere was eliminated from Riyadh Masters 2025 in the second round of the Elimination Phase, suffering a 0:2 defeat at the hands of Team Falcons. This result placed NAVI in the 9th-12th position at the tournament, earning the team $75,000 USD in prize money.
