One year on from Michał “Nisha” Jankowski’s shock signing, Team Liquid is continuing its trend of poaching its regional rivals’ best players.
Neta “33” Shapira is Team Liquid’s latest superstar signing, Team Liquid announced today. This follows the team’s past offlaner, Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg, deciding to take an “indefinite break” from Dota.
33 joining Team Liquid means that Tundra Esports’ TI11-winning player roster has either left the organization completely or gone inactive. Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling, who coached the TI11 roster, remains part of Tundra, as is Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, who only joined in September.
- Michael “miCKe” Vu
- Michał “Nisha” Jankowski
- Neta “33” Shapira
- Samuel “Boxi” Svahn
- Aydin “iNSaNiA” Sarkohi
- William “Blitz” Lee (coach)
Team Liquid hasn’t been tempted to make any roster changes in the past two years, only adding to their squad when its players had to leave.
Nisha’s recruitment was in response to Lasse “MATUMBAMAN” Urpalainen’s retirement, while 33’s addition likely wouldn’t have happened without zai taking a break. The team has grown steadily to become one of the region’s most consistent juggernauts.
Liquid, who came in second in every single Major last year, kicked off TI12 in good form, topping the group stage with a 7-1 record. Following wins against Evil Geniuses and Talon Esports, the WEU squad ran into Team Spirit and Gaimin Gladiators — both eventual finalists — and ended their journey as a top-six team.
