One of the standout maxwintoto players during Nigma Galaxy’s run has been Artem “Lorenof” Melnick. The Ukrainian mid-laner delivered an exceptional performance against Team Spirit. Lorenof played Ember Spirit in both matches, serving as both a primary damage dealer and a playmaker for Nigma Galaxy during teamfights.

In the first game, Lorenof recorded 12 kills and 25 assists against seven deaths. He put on an even more spectacular performance in the second game, racking up 22 kills and 15 assists while dying only five times.

This level of play has led Nigma Galaxy to view Lorenof as a key “win condition” in certain situations. Omar acknowledged that the team must adapt its playstyle to the mid-laner’s unique characteristics and ensure he is positioned to thrive. So far, this strategy has proven effective, as Lorenof consistently delivers strong performances whenever he is given the space to play aggressively.

Alongside Lorenof, SumaiL remains one of the biggest names on the Nigma Galaxy roster. He made history as the youngest player ever to win the Aegis of Champions, having led Evil Geniuses to victory at TI5.

Now, more than a decade after that triumph, SumaiL is back on Dota 2’s biggest stage. He has even hinted at the possibility of retiring after TI 2026.

However, GH and Omar believe that the contributions of SumaiL and Lorenof go beyond mere match statistics. Their presence brings positive energy and helps foster a better team atmosphere.

GH notes their ability to perform under pressure, particularly in major LAN tournaments, while Omar observes that the presence of such high-caliber players motivates the entire team to raise their game.

Nigma Galaxy’s Cinderella run is now entering a much tougher phase. They are set to face the defending champions, Team Falcons, in the upper bracket quarterfinals. Before TI 2026 began, Falcons were certainly the favorites; however, Nigma Galaxy’s performance thus far has made that prediction far less straightforward than it appeared on paper.

There are many compelling storylines behind their journey. GH and Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi have the chance to secure a second Aegis, while Davai Lama and Omar have the opportunity to prove they can compete at a championship level.

Lorenof also has the chance to transform his status from a frequent stand-in to the centerpiece of a team capable of contending for Dota 2’s biggest trophy.

For SumaiL, TI 2026 could even be his final opportunity to hoist the Aegis of Champions once more. GH acknowledges that the possibility of the star retiring actually provides extra motivation to win the tournament alongside him.

Nigma Galaxy still has a long road ahead. Yet, judging by their performance in the Group Stage, it is entirely possible that their Cinderella story could extend all the way to the battle for the TI 2026 title.

The excitement surrounding The International 2026 (TI15) extends well beyond the tournament arena. As the playoffs approach, iconic Dota 2 characters have begun appearing across Shanghai. A major highlight is the installation of massive statues of Axe and Queen of Pain at one of the city’s entertainment hubs.

Photos of the two heroes were shared by a Reddit user visiting one of the TI 2026-themed locations in Shanghai. These large-scale statues, situated in public spaces, are part of a series of activities organized by Valve to celebrate this year’s The International.

These installations have effectively transformed Shanghai into a giant playground for Dota 2 fans.

Ax and Queen of Pain Present at Bailian ZX Fun Mall

Based on information previously released by Valve, Queen of Pain, Axe, and Pudge have been placed at the Bailian ZX Fun Mall. Consequently, the statues of Axe and Queen of Pain seen in the photo are part of a special TI 2026 initiative distributed across various locations in Shanghai.

The statues’ impressive size makes these two heroes a natural focal point for visitors. For Dota 2 fans in Shanghai during the tournament, installations like these offer a chance to experience the TI atmosphere outside the competition arena.

Valve’s move also demonstrates that The apizeus77 International is positioned as more than just an esports competition. The tournament is brought into the public sphere, allowing the general public and fans who do not attend the venue in person to still experience the excitement of the event.

Axe and Queen of Pain aren’t the only heroes securing a special spot in Shanghai. Valve has prepared several themed locations featuring popular Dota 2 characters. One such location features Juggernaut at the Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza, while fans can find Windranger at the Lujiazui Super Brand Mall from August 12 to 18.

The program then moves to Taikoo Li Qiantan. From August 18 to 24, the venue will showcase the Aegis of Champions, Drow Ranger, Crystal Maiden, and Juggernaut. With so many themed locations available, visitors to Shanghai have even more reasons to hunt for these TI 2026-themed spots in between matches.

This hero installation program complements The International 2026, currently taking place in Shanghai, China. The tournament, held from August 13 to 23, brings together the world’s best Dota 2 teams.

Following the conclusion of the group and elimination stages, the competition has now entered the playoff phase. The main matches will be held at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center starting August 20.

At this stage, every match becomes increasingly critical, as eliminated teams must end their journey at TI 2026, while championship contenders continue their fight to lift the Aegis of Champions.

Beyond vying for the world championship title, participants are also competing for a share of a prize pool that has surpassed US$2.9 million.

This figure is set to rise as sales of various TI-related items—such as club packs and commentator bundles—continue. This system allows the community to directly contribute to the total prize money ultimately awarded to the participants.

For Shanghai, hosting TI 2026 offers a chance to showcase a different side of the esports industry. The presence of statues featuring heroes like Axe, Queen of Pain, and Pudge brings the tournament closer to the local community.

With the playoffs about to begin, Shanghai has become more than just a competition venue; the city has transformed into an integral part of the The International 2026 experience, with Dota 2 heroes appearing amidst the daily lives of its residents.

Another international stage is set to be rocked by the nation’s top planet77 esports talent. Indonesia’s national esports team for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is about to embark on its journey in the qualifiers for the Global Esports Games (GEG) 2026. The inaugural MLBB competition at this event will take place online, starting Saturday, August 22, 2026.

The Global Esports Games (GEG) 2026 is a world-class, multi-title esports championship organized by the Global Esports Federation (GEF). Unlike previous editions, 2026 marks a historic milestone as MLBB is officially included in the lineup for the first time, competing alongside other popular titles such as Counter-Strike 2, eFootball, and Rocket League.

Match Schedule for the MLBB National Team in the GEG 2026 Qualifiers

According to official information from the Indonesian Esports Association (PB ESI), this regional qualifier will utilize a single-elimination format played over the course of a single day. Strategic acumen and mental resilience will be put to the test across three crucial phases as the team vies for a spot in the Main Event in Los Angeles, USA, scheduled for December 1–7.

The schedule for the Indonesian MLBB National Team qualifiers is as follows (WIB):

Quarterfinals: 17:00 WIB
Semifinals: 18:35 WIB
Regional Final: 20:10 WIB

Given the intense, single-elimination match format, the “Garuda Squad” must perform at their peak and remain flawless from the very first minute to avoid early elimination. To tackle the fierce competition in this regional qualifier, PB ESI has appointed local esports legend Kenny “Xepher” Deo as the head tactician.

The Garuda squad’s lineup is dominated by key players from Alter Ego Esports (AE), bolstered by the addition of veteran player Alberttt. Here is the official six-man roster for the Indonesian National MLBB Team, ready to head into battle:

Syauki “Nino” Sumarki – Mid Laner
Muhammad “Affan” Wahyuno – Jungler
Dalvin “Hijumee” Putrok – Roamer
Arifudin “Arfy” Putruk – Gold Laner
Alexander “Alekk” Marcetamam – Gold Laner
Albert “Alberttt” Iskandom – EXP Laner

The combination of the Alter Ego young players’ aggressive style and Alberttt’s calm macro-gameplay is expected to create a solid synergy, paving the way for a clean sweep in the regional qualifiers. Access the Official Live Stream: You can watch the entire series of matches for the Indonesian National MLBB Team qualifiers live and for free.

The live broadcast can be accessed via official community channels, PB ESI’s social media, or the official MLBB Esports YouTube channel at the following link: Official PB ESI YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pbesi_official

So, be sure to set a reminder so you don’t miss the stunning action as Indonesia’s representative team strives to bring glory to the nation on the international stage. Moral support from the local gaming community is vital to keep the “Garuda” spirit burning bright across the Land of Dawn!