In the high-stakes competition of the BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024, Team Spirit, despite being pegged as the top dogs, faced a strong rival. During their group stage match against Xtreme Gaming, they ended the best-of-two series in a draw, 1-1. In the wake of this closely contested series, Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk, Team Spirit’s star carry, shared his thoughts about competing against Wang “Ame” Chunyu, identifying Ame not merely as an opponent but as a worthy rival.

Yatoro expressed in a recent interview with Esports.gg, “…against him (Ame), I’m not so bored,” highlighting the excitement Ame brings into the tournament.

Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk (Image credit: The International 2021)

Anticipated clash between Yatoro vs Ame

The match-up between Yatoro and Ame was among the most-anticipated battles of the tournament, drawing attention from fans and players alike. Despite the series concluding in a tie, Yatoro reflected positively on the encounter, suggesting that it was enjoyable and challenging.

However, he considers Team Spirit’s loss in the second game as his fault, indicating that a victory for the entire series might have been within reach under different circumstances.

Beautiful Dota

In the same post-match interview, Yatoro’s respect for Ame shone through as he discussed Ame’s performance, particularly highlighting his Naga Siren gameplay versus the BetBoom Team. Yatoro praised Ame’s play as the most remarkable carry performance he had seen in the last year, applauding Ame’s strategic movements, team fight execution, and overall gameplay.

This was the first pro match Ame played after his year-long hiatus after the International 2022 (TI11). Xtreme Gaming defeated the BetBoom Team, featuring his Naga Siren in the second game, and finished with an impressive 4-1-14 KDA.

Bonus Play:

A specific instance of Ame’s calculated play was during his game against Nightfall’s Faceless Void. Ame, playing Anti-Mage, expertly countered Nightfall’s attempt to use Chronosphere, showcasing his ability to anticipate and neutralize key plays from his opponent. This move although simply a click, successfully halted Nightfall from escaping.

Ame’s Road to Recovery

Ame’s path back to the competitive Dota 2 scene started last month. Following his one-year hiatus after TI11, Ame undertook a grueling schedule of pub matches, engaging in an extensive series of games (28 Dota 2 matches in a single day) to sharpen his skills and regain his edge. Despite facing challenges, Ame’s commitment to Dota 2 was undeniable, illustrating his determination to return to the top of competitive Dota 2.

Wang “Ame” Chunyu (Image credit: The International 2021)

With Yatoro’s ‘approval’ of Ame’s prime form and the rivalry between them, the BetBoom Dacha 2024 Winter is a must-watch event. Taking place from February 4-16 in Dubai, with a generous $1 million prize pool, expect a potential round-two between these two prodigies.