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However, despite being a permanent fixture at TI, this remains the last time he has claimed the Aegis. Now, with TI8 just around the corner, can Puppey captain his Team Secret project to glory once more?
Clement 'Puppey' Ivanov. Copyright: ESL | Steffie Wunderl A true DotA Allstar
His early success in Dota 2 came after he had established himself as one of the very best DotA Allstars players in the world. After beginning in pub games like so many other pros, he had fledgling success at Xero Skill, going from unheard-of talent to recognisable name particularly thanks to a third-place finish at ESL Major Series.
From there, Ivanov went to DreamHack Summer 2009 as a stand-in for German org Mousesports, recording a creditable fifth place. It was here that he met future The International 2017 winner and Team Liquid captain Kuro S. 'KuroKy' Takhasomi, and the start of a long history together began — the fabled ‘bromance.’
After the pair were successful at both KingSurf.int and GG.net, Puppey eventually left to find a new home to take him into the Dota 2 age — Natus Vincere.
Natus Vincere. Copyright: ValveThe Golden Years
Alongside future legends such as Danil 'Dendi' Ishutin and Ivan 'Artstyle' Antonov, Na’Vi would go on to dominate The International 2011. The 16-team tournament held during Cologne’s Gamescom was Valve’s great reveal of their new game, and with a $1m winners’ cheque to be had, Puppey and his teammates rose to the challenge to win the event undefeated.
Now as captain, Puppey led his team to continued success in this exciting new era. Notable wins included ESWC 2011, StarSeries Season 1 and Season 2, The Defense Season 1 and the Premier League Season 1 and Season 2. Then came the defence of their crown at The International 2012.
However, despite orchestrating another unbeaten run, Puppey and his teammates were to fall short against Invictus Gaming. Despite ‘The Play’ in Game Two of the Upper Bracket Round 2 demonstrating their prowess, one of the greatest moments in Dota 2 history, Na’vi eventually fell 3-1 to the Chinese in the Grand Finals.
Several more wins were recorded in the lead-up to The International 2013, including ESWC 2012 and our very own joinDOTA Masters XIII, with Puppey joined by his long-time friend KuroKy on the Na’Vi roster. Puppey’s performances saw him rewarded with nomination to the All-Star Match.
The tournament itself resulted in another runner-up finish for Na’vi, losing a tense Grand Finals to an Alliance squad featuring fellow All-Star Jonathan 'Loda' Berg, and who had dropped just one game on their way through the tournament. A strong start to the Dota 2 era had helped Puppey establish himself as one of the game’s true greats.
However, despite wins at both StarSeries Season 7, Season 8 and the Dota 2 Champions League Season 2, this was a Na’Vi squad in decline. Come The International 2014, the squad went 8-7 to finish fifth in their group, lost their match to Chinese outfit Newbee in Phase Three before being unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament by North American outfit Cloud9 in the Main Event. It was to be Puppey’s last competition wearing the famous yellow and black.
Copyright: ESL | Brita JonssonFounding father – the rise of Team Secret
A natural leader, Puppey left Na’Vi in the post-TI4 shuffle to found Team Secret alongside KuroKy. He set about putting together a superstar roster bringing in Artour 'Arteezy' Babaev, Gustav 's4' Magnusson and Ludwig 'zai' Wåhlberg. This line up immediately hit the ground running, winning five consecutive LAN events including The Summit 3 and ESL One Frankfurt 2015.
Going into The International 2015, the hype was real. Fans clamoured for a rematch with the in-form Evil Geniuses, whom Puppey and Secret had dominated to win in Frankfurt. However, it was not to be — internal issues meant they were swept by EHOME in their first match of the Main Event, and then after scraping past Invictus in the lower bracket, crashed out to Virtus.pro.
The result was devastating. Conflict between Arteezy and KuroKy continued before both left Secret, zai announced a sabbatical to focus on studies, and s4 was released. Puppey was left to build a new roster around himself, while doubt about his leadership qualities was raised.
Copyright: ValveThe new roster was less stellar than the previous line up, with Puppey bringing in Jacky 'EternaLEnVy' Mao, Omar 'w33haa' Aliwi, Rasmus 'rASmus' Fillipsen and Johan 'pieliedie' Åström. A controversial invite to ESL One New York 2015 saw Puppey lead his team to the Grand Finals against all odds, falling to Vega Squadron *, and a period of consistency followed.
Puppey had re-established himself as a formidable leader, resulting in Secret being considered favourites for the The Frankfurt Major — the first Valve-sponsored tournament held outside Seattle. Playing cleanly and passionately, the side reached the Grand Finals before falling to future The International winner Amer 'Miracle-' Al-Barkawi and his OG side.
Copyright: ESL | Steffie WunderlThe fall and resurrection of Team Secret
Team Secret were back, and they went on an undefeated run through the Winners Bracket at the The Shanghai Major, recording victory in a Grand Finals showdown with Puppey’s old partner-in-crime and now-Team Liquid captain KuroKy. However, this form was not to last, and abysmal results saw Secret crash out of both the The Manila Major and The International 2016 in last place.
More roster changes and patchy form were to come. Failure to qualify for the The Boston Major hurt, and they recorded a poor showing at the The Kiev Major. Puppey kept up his record of appearing at every single edition of Valve’s premier event with qualification for The International 2017, but yet again he would lose to old friend KuroKy and Liquid in Lower Bracket Round 2.
Post-TI7, Secret have built up another head of steam, with wins at DreamLeague Season 8 and Season 9, a runner-up finish at ESL One Hamburg 2017 and strong showings at ESL One Katowice 2018, The Bucharest Major 2018 and the China Dota 2 Supermajor once again highlighting the credentials of the side and its captain.
Puppey meets the fans. Copyright: ESL | Steffie WunderlWith a direct invite to The International 2018 cemented thanks to their strong showing in the DPC, hopes should be high for Puppey and Team Secret. Consensus appears to be that Secret have been a little lacklustre of late, but could this just be a strategic move from a wily veteran of the game not to reveal all his cards at once?
One thing is for sure — as one of the game’s true superstars, he has the chance to make history and become the only player to have ever won The International twice. Claiming the biggest prize ever to be seen in Dota 2 would certainly seal his legacy and justify all the time and effort spent on his Team Secret project.
Where do you think Puppey stands in the pantheon of Dota 2 greats? Can Team Secret bring home the ultimate prize this time?
Header image copyright: Valve
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