Cover-Credits:
Valve
In the midst of Team Spirit's match against Virtus.Pro in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals of The International 2023, the team's carry Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk, delved into the intricate inner workings and dynamics that lead to the departure of former mid lane Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek.
Why TORONTOTOKYO was Kicked
TORONTOTOKYO had been an integral part of Team Spirit playing a pivotal role in the team's success, especially in its victory at The International 2021 (TI10). However, the two parted ways with each other following Team Spirit's underperformance at The International 2022.
Yatoro shared his perspective on the matter, stating, "TORONTOTOKYO left the team because I think we needed a replacement. We had in-game disagreements with him."
With an aim to rejuvenate their lineup, Team Spirit promptly added Denis "Larl" Sigitov as its new midlaner on December 8, 2022. While the team took some time to find success with its new midlaner, this decision has lead to a lot of success with the team clinching titles at the Riyadh Masters 2023 and DreamLeague Season 21, signaling a renaissance in their gameplay and synergy.
Yatoro had high praise for Larl, stating, "It was easy for everyone to communicate with Larl. We really like him, both as a man and as a player. I think our dynamic is really positive."
Team Spirit continues its strong run through The International 2023 (TI12). The team defeated Virtus.Pro in its upper bracket quarterfinal match and has already secured a Top 6 finish in the tournament.
