Team Nemesis clinches qualification for The International 2025

18 June 2025

“In the shadows of the gaming underworld, Team Nemesis is looking for new blood. Every game, every battlefield – we want the best. If you’ve got the skills, the grit, and the hunger, send us a DM.”

If you had visited the brand-new X account of UK esports organisation Team Nemesis back in February, the above was likely the first tweet you read. That is because, at the time, the organisation has only just been founded, right on top of the remains of Into The Breach. After the latter organisation announced their closure, some of the remaining staff decided to form Team Nemesis. And now, just a few months later, the organisation’s new Dota 2 roster has managed to qualify for The International 2025 (TI 2025).

The International 2025

The International 2025, which is considered the Dota 2 world championship, will be taking place in Hamburg (Germany) from September 4th to September 14th and Team Nemesis will be there. As their entire Dota 2 roster consists of Filipino players who are also based in the Philippines, the organisation had to progress through the Southeast Asia open qualifiers. They were eliminated in the round of 16 during the first open qualifier, but bounced back in impressive fashion to win the second open qualifier.

In the eventual decisive final, Team Nemesis had to face the outspoken favourites for victory in the Southeast Asian open qualifier in Hong Kong-based Talon Esports. Despite being the underdogs, Team Nemesis started the upper-bracket final furiously, which resulted in a 25-11 kill lead after 44 minutes. Game two was for Talon (21-8), who seemed to be in control at that moment. A series of clutch players from Nemesis in the ensuing team fights resulted in a surprising victory for the UK-based organisation, though.

“The first TI I watched was back in 2012, and ever since, this game has been a constant in my life—both in the best and worst ways”. Says co-founder and CEO at Team Nemesis, Chris Moore, “Ultimately, it’s what got me into esports in the first place. Now, I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with an incredible group of people at Team Nemesis, and we’re going to TI. That alone is a dream come true—but the fact we’re going there to compete makes it even sweeter. I’m genuinely pinching myself that we’ve achieved this in just five months of work.”

All-Filipino roster

There were more milestones to be celebrated after the Team Nemesis qualification for The International 2025. Considering the whole Dota 2 roster of the organisation consists of Filipino players, they have become the first all-Filipino team to qualify for the event in six years. They also became the first confirmed Southeast Asian representative at The International 2025.

"The Philippines has some of the most gifted Dota 2 players in the world — they just need the right platform and a team that truly believes in their potential”, says Sebastian Lubczyk, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Team Nemesis, “We're here to be that team. Our goal is to nurture their talent, amplify their strengths, and help them conquer the global stage.”