Captain Tundra Esports Neta “ 33 ” Shapira shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview about preparing for The International 2025, the current state of the team, and his own ambitions for a third Aegis. 33 candidly discussed the year's challenges, roster changes, and why the tournament no longer feels as special to him, despite its status in Dota 2.

According to 33 , the season started very well for Tundra:

We started really well. In the first six months, we were probably the best team in terms of results and gameplay. We had a clear identity and strong ideas about how we wanted to play, and everything just clicked. Since then, it's been tougher. We are still playing well, but we've lost our peak form.

Speaking about frequent roster changes, 33 noted that new players bring fresh ideas, although stability is also important:

When a team has a strong identity, new players aren't always harmful; they bring new perspectives and ideas. Of course, stability helps build chemistry and consistency, but frequent changes force adaptation and a different approach to the game.

He also talked about the differences between dyrachyo and Crystallis :

dyrachyo is very energetic and loud, constantly making calls and creating momentum for the team. Crystallis is quiet and methodical, yet dangerous on his specialized heroes. We try to bring out his strengths because his understanding of the game is exceptional.

33 admitted that Tundra is currently experiencing an "identity crisis":

We love a slow, controlled map game, but we're seeking a balance between what worked before and new meta ideas. It's a process, but we're moving forward.

As an advantage of his team, he mentioned their deep understanding of the game:

Even if execution isn't perfect, we analyze matches well and learn from mistakes, which gives us an edge.

Regarding the rivalry with Collapse and Team Spirit , 33 said:

Team Spirit is strong right now, in great form. There's a good chance the Aegis will go to either me or Collapse . If not me, I root for him. Collapse is an amazing player, and watching him play is a pleasure.

When asked about Team Spirit 's variety of heroes, 33 responded that it gives them draft flexibility but doesn't greatly change Tundra's approach:

Their heroes are varied, but the tasks are often the same. We study their drafts and map movements to adopt useful strategies, but overall it doesn't fundamentally change the game against them.

Regarding the level of competition at TI14, 33 noted:

The tournament is much more unpredictable now. All eight top teams can beat each other, making the competition exciting.

On his prospects after TI14:

I plan to keep playing, regardless of the outcome. I just want to enjoy the tournament atmosphere and deliver a strong performance.

33 also shared his thoughts on the prize pool:

Personally, I would like to see a higher prize pool, but I understand that going back to $30-40 million would be crazy. A balance of $4-5 million would make TI truly special. Right now, the tournament doesn't feel as exceptional because I've already won it.

Tundra Esports heads to TI14 with the goal of reclaiming a second Aegis, while 33 personally aims for a third trophy, continuing to be one of the key players on the global Dota 2 scene.