Natus Vincere`s campaign at Riyadh Masters 2025 concluded with a tough loss, and the team`s carry player, Artem “Niku” Bachkur, didn`t shy away from giving a direct assessment of their exit. In a post-match interview following their defeat by Team Falcons, Niku elaborated on what went wrong for the squad.
According to Niku, the match against Team Falcons offered little hope from the outset. He stated quite plainly:
Everything went very badly for us. We practically had no chance of winning. Bad drafts, poor execution.
This candid admission points to fundamental issues in both the strategic phase (picking heroes) and the in-game performance. In the high-stakes environment of professional Dota 2, mistakes in either area can quickly snowball into an insurmountable disadvantage, regardless of individual player skill. Acknowledging shortcomings in drafting and execution is a clear-eyed technical assessment of failure.
Reflecting on the strength of their opponents and top teams in general, Niku offered a pragmatic perspective. He noted that the strongest teams demonstrate consistent effort and preparation, even when facing teams they might be expected to beat. “They always prepare well and perform excellently in the match itself,” Niku observed. The reason for their consistent success? A simple, perhaps understated truth: “They just have more experience, so they are stronger.” This highlights the value of seasoned decision-making and resilience built over countless competitive matches – qualities that Team Falcons evidently possessed in abundance during their encounter.
With Riyadh Masters 2025 behind them, Natus Vincere is now redirecting its focus towards the pinnacle of the Dota 2 competitive season: The International 2025. Niku emphasized the team`s desire to compete at the highest level. “Obviously, we want to play in big tournaments,” he said. Looking ahead, the immediate goal is clear: “Ahead of us is The International 2025, and we will try to give it our maximum, make it to the playoffs.”
When playfully asked about the possibility of taking revenge on Team Falcons at TI14 (presumably meaning TI 2025, as per the tournament year mentioned), Niku responded with a laugh and a confident quip: “Yes, of course, with a 2:0 score.” While delivered with humor, this remark encapsulates the competitive fire and the aspiration to measure themselves against the best again on Dota 2`s biggest stage.
The 0:2 loss to Team Falcons in the second round of the Elimination Phase resulted in Natus Vincere finishing in 9th-12th place at Riyadh Masters 2025, earning a prize of $75,000. While this result ends their run in Saudi Arabia, Niku`s comments indicate the team views it as a necessary learning experience on their path towards The International 2025.
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