Nikita “Panto” Balaganin, the position five support player for Dota 2 team Aurora Gaming, has shared his thoughts on the team`s results following a recent month-long bootcamp. During this period, the squad competed in DreamLeague Season 26 and the qualifiers for The International 2025.
In a post on his Telegram channel, Panto summarized their key achievements:
Firstly, he highlighted their Top 4 finish at DreamLeague Season 26, describing it as a “very grueling tournament” that truly tested the team`s endurance. He noted their effort to adapt to the new patch during the event and considers this their best result as a team so far.
Secondly, securing fourth place at DreamLeague earned Aurora a direct invitation to Riyadh. Panto expressed excitement about participating in this tournament for the first time, calling it one of the two events every professional Dota player aspires to play in. The direct invite means they avoid playing qualifiers, allowing for a much-needed week of rest after a demanding period.
Thirdly, the team successfully qualified for The International 2025, which Panto described as achieving a long-held dream. He mentioned previously losing qualifiers for past TIs, only reaching the final stage at best, making this qualification particularly significant for him.
Panto expressed immense joy regarding his rapid personal progress but believes the full realization will come upon arriving at the tournaments themselves. Looking ahead, he emphasized the team`s commitment to continue improving both individual and team play to deliver the best possible performance and aim for even higher placements.
He concluded by extending special thanks to all the team`s fans, acknowledging that their support is felt and greatly appreciated. Panto stated his dedication to continue striving for them.
Aurora Gaming introduced their roster, including Panto, in February 2025. Since then, the team has achieved top 5-6 finishes at PGL Wallachia Season 3, PGL Wallachia Season 4, and BLAST Slam III, in addition to their fourth place at DreamLeague Season 26 and successfully qualifying for TI14 through the Eastern European qualifiers.
Finley Holt