Tundra Esports Face Third Consecutive The International with a Stand-in

For the third year in a row, Tundra Esports will be heading into The International with a roster replacement. Despite remaining one of the most competitive teams in the Dota 2 scene, the European organization has faced continuous roster instability at the biggest event of the year.

2023: Saksa’s health issues and Topson’s unexpected return

The situation began at The International 2023, when Tundra were forced to play without their experienced support Martin “Saksa” Sazdov, who took a break due to health problems. In his absence, the team called upon Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, a two-time TI champion from Finland, as a stand-in. Despite the star power, the squad could not find their footing and finished the tournament in the 13th–16th place range.

2024: Visa troubles for 9class and Saksa’s comeback

The following year, at The International 2024, problems struck again. This time, it was 9class, one of the team’s key players, who missed the tournament because of visa complications. Ironically, it was Saksa who returned to the roster as a replacement after his previous year’s absence. With his experience and synergy with the team, Tundra managed to overcome the setback and deliver a strong run, eventually securing 3rd place — their best result in recent years.

2025: Whitemon’s absence and Tobi’s debut

Now, heading into The International 2025, Tundra once again find themselves in a familiar situation. The organization confirmed that Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon from Indonesia will not be attending the tournament. The reasons have not been disclosed publicly, but the team has already announced his replacement: Tobias “Tobi” Buchner, an Austrian offlaner with extensive experience on the professional scene.

Tobi previously played for teams such as Entity, Alliance, and various European lineups, consistently building a reputation as a stable and versatile player. His inclusion marks a significant change for Tundra, as Whitemon has been one of the team’s reliable supports throughout the season.

A pattern of instability

Three consecutive years of roster disruptions at The International is a worrying trend for Tundra Esports. While the team has consistently adapted by finding suitable replacements, competing at the highest level without a stable lineup is an undeniable disadvantage.

• 2023: Saksa out → Topson in → 13–16th place
• 2024: 9class out → Saksa in → 3rd place
• 2025: Whitemon out → Tobi in → TBD

Despite the challenges, Tundra has proven to be a resilient organization, capable of adjusting to last-minute setbacks. With the addition of Tobi, the team will look to replicate — or even surpass — their 2024 success.

Looking ahead

The International 2025 will be held in Shanghai, China, bringing together the world’s best teams in a battle for the Aegis of Champions. For Tundra, the tournament represents not only another chance at redemption but also a test of their adaptability. Fans will be watching closely to see if the team can once again turn adversity into strength, or if the repeated disruptions will finally take their toll.