Ukrainian esports organization Natus Vincere have secured a place at BLAST Slam IX in Dota 2 after defeating European mix Pipsqueak+4 in the decisive qualification match, Cybersport.in reports, citing Tribuna.com.
NAVI entered the decisive stage of the qualifier after defeating Zero Tenacity 2-0. Pipsqueak+4, meanwhile, advanced after beating GamerLegion. The European mix also features Ukrainian player Denys «rincyq» Bohushev.
In the head-to-head match, NAVI proved stronger and secured another appearance in the BLAST Slam tournament series. The result continues a successful period for the Ukrainian organization’s Dota 2 roster, which has recently produced several strong tournament performances.
NAVI Secure Another BLAST Slam Appearance
BLAST Slam IX will not be NAVI’s first tournament in the series this autumn. The Ukrainian team had already qualified for BLAST Slam VIII, which is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 11.
Qualifying for two BLAST events gives NAVI another opportunity to test their current roster against international opposition and maintain the momentum the team has built over recent weeks.
That momentum is backed by results. Before securing their BLAST Slam IX spot, NAVI won their second consecutive EPL Masters title.
At EPL Masters II, the Ukrainian organization defeated Klim Sani4 3-0 in the grand final and earned $50,000 in prize money. NAVI lost only one map across the tournament and continued an impressive run in the EPL Masters series.
The team’s recent Dota 2 performances were also among the major stories featured in the latest esports weekly roundup, alongside other significant results from the international competitive scene.
A Strong Period for NAVI’s Dota 2 Roster
The qualification adds another positive result to what has become a productive stretch for NAVI’s Dota 2 division.
For an organization with a long history in the discipline, consistent qualification for international events is particularly important. NAVI were among the teams that shaped the early professional Dota 2 scene, winning the inaugural The International in 2011. That trophy remains one of the most recognizable achievements in the organization’s history and was recently displayed alongside other historic NAVI trophies at the NAVI fan zone in Kyiv.
The current roster is now building its own competitive story. Winning EPL Masters II and qualifying for both BLAST Slam VIII and BLAST Slam IX in a relatively short period shows that NAVI are finding consistency at an important stage of the 2026 season.
At the same time, the organization continues to invest in the longer-term development of its esports rosters. Its NAVI Academy talent system includes Dota 2 alongside Counter-Strike and VALORANT, creating a pathway for younger players to gain professional experience.
For the main Dota 2 roster, however, the immediate focus will be on converting the team’s recent form into results against stronger international competition. With two BLAST Slam appearances secured and another tournament title already added this season, NAVI will enter the coming events with considerable momentum.
