Credit: ESL Gaming GmbH
profileEsports Teams
OG Built a Dota 2 Dynasty Against All Expectations
August 12, 2026·4 min read
From the European qualifiers to two consecutive victories at The International, OG created one of the most remarkable stories in esports.
OG currently competes across several games, but its name remains inseparably linked to Dota 2. The team won Majors, completed seemingly impossible comebacks, and twice claimed the most important trophy in the game. Its greatest successes came precisely when it was no longer considered the favorite.
OG's identity was built around confidence in its own ideas, an emotional playing style, and exceptional chemistry between its members. Flowers, graffiti, attempts to provoke opponents, and the roar of the crowd all became part of the show. Behind that carefree image, however, was a team capable of making courageous decisions under immense pressure.
OG entered a crisis in the spring of 2018. Fly and Gustav "s4" Magnusson left the team shortly before the qualifiers for The International. N0tail had to build a new roster in a very short time. Anathan "ana" Pham returned to the team, former coach Sébastien "Ceb" Debs became an active player, and the little-known Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen received an opportunity to make his debut at the highest level.
OG had to begin its journey to The International 2018 in the open qualifiers. The team nevertheless reached the final, where it faced PSG.LGD. The five-game series delivered dramatic comebacks, risky decisions, and the organization's first world championship.
The same roster returned to The International one year later. This time, OG was no longer a surprise. The team played aggressively, confidently used unconventional strategies, and defeated Team Liquid in the final. N0tail, ana, Topson, Ceb, and JerAx became the first players to win The International twice, while OG became the first organization to successfully defend the title.
In November 2025, OG moved its Dota 2 division to Southeast Asia. The current roster consists of Filipino players supported by a Malaysian coach.
The move to a new region opened a completely different chapter in the organization's history. The current team is not a direct continuation of the European roster that won The International. However, it represents the same brand and aims to return it to the biggest tournaments.
After several legends departed, OG began building its next generation. A team consisting of younger players won the Stockholm Major and ESL One Malaysia in 2022. These successes demonstrated that the organization could continue winning without its complete two-time world championship roster.
OG also expanded into other games. The organization has fielded players in titles including Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Rocket League, while its current divisions cover several PC and mobile games. None of them, however, has matched the legacy created in Dota 2.
The original OG won through skill and courage. The championship roster of 2018 and 2019 added trust, resilience, and the belief that even a seemingly lost game could still be turned around. Later rosters have tried to recapture that level, but two victories at The International have already secured OG a permanent place in esports history.
We want to hear from you. Share your perspective in the comments below, and please keep the conversation respectful.
Log in to join the discussion - vote, reply, and share your take.
Log In
1d ago
2d ago
2d ago
12d ago
12d ago
13d ago
2h ago
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
3h ago
