Team Spirit became the first team from Europe to qualify directly for The International 2026. In the decisive series of the upper bracket of the closed qualifiers, the Russian club defeated Nigma Galaxy with a score of 2:1.
The match started on June 25 at 14:00 Moscow time. Spirit opened the series, Nigma responded with a map, and the third map once again went to the reigning champions of The International. With this victory, the team of Yaroslav Miposhka Naida completed the European qualifiers and will head to TI 2026 without additional tiebreaker matches.
For Nigma Galaxy, the defeat means moving to the lower bracket, where any mistake will lead to elimination from the tournament. The club fought for the first slot after defeating Natus Vincere 2:0 in the previous round, but lost to Spirit in the upper bracket final.
The closed European qualifiers for The International 2026 are taking place from June 21 to June 28. Four slots to Shanghai are up for grabs through this qualifier. In the parallel upper bracket, Virtus.pro and PARIVISION battled for the second direct slot on the same day.
