In all athletic endeavors there are always favorites and underdogs. In fact, this is the main principle behind the handicap betting markets. And it is always a good story for posterity when an underdog manages to overcome all the odds and climb all the way to the top. While there have been a lot of such tales for popular sports, it’s time to learn (or remember) about Topias “Topson” Taavistainen and his accomplishments in a venture that is included in the best betting tool: e-sports.
Who is Topias «Topson» Taavistainen?
Topias Taavistainen, or as he came to be known by his game handle “Topson”, was born in Haukipudas, Finland, in 1998. He was introduced to DOTA by his brothers and he become so addicted to it that he spent hours honing his skills and, sometimes, streaming from his bedroom. Since he was not receiving the desired results as a streamer, he decided to go professional in 2017, signing with small teams like SFTe-sports and 5 Anchors No Captain.
Even though he managed to represent Finland at the World Electronic Sports Games of 2017, the event had very little effect on his profile. Along with the lack of LAN experience and high-level team play, it would seem that in the early 2018, there was not much to expect in his professional aspirations as a pro gamer. It took a very unlikely set of circumstances to change things radically.
The pivotal Turning Point
A few months before the DOTA 2 2018 International (TI8), team OG e-sports faced an unexpected situation. Two key members left to join rivals Evil Geniuses, thus making captain Johan “N0tail” Sundstein take a gamble and invite a no-name streamer to fill the roster. Their fans did not approve of this choice, while analysts had serious doubts about their chances for the competition. Noone expected that this would turn out to be one of the best decisions.
The tournament itself was the door-opener. Team OG were the clear underdogs. While they did indeed advance but barely, they were ranked amongst the weakest of the competition. However, their course made it to the books. Through a series of hard fights and unbelievable comebacks, mostly due to Topson’s unconventional ways of building items and the perfect coordination with his teammates, they managed to prevail over PSG.LGD in the final and claim the title.
...and suddenly he was the hero
In his home country, this victory gained intense media coverage and a level of popularity that led to a meeting with the Finnish President of the time, Sauli Niinistö. Shaking hands with the top government official, legitimized esports in the country and recognized Topson as a national hero. However, it would all be temporary, had it not been for their follow up success.
While they did not participate in TI9 as underdogs, no one would expect them to repeat the same accomplishment. After all, no team had ever managed to win back-to-back titles before. Yet, through new heights in Topson’s gameplay and some quite innovative use of DOTA 2 characters like Tiny and Gyrocopter, they dominated the competition.
Why Topson is the Greatest Underdog in Esports History
Teams participating in the international e-sports scene are usually completely professional. In 99.9% of the cases like the one that hit OG, the replacements are also professionals. And there has never been another case where a change in the team just a few months before a tournament, resulted in that team claiming the title. To replace a member with someone that is not only an amateur, but also one that had absolutely no experience, and then actually win an entire tournament, is not just extraordinary. It borders on impossible.
But, in sports nothing is impossible and Topias “Topson” Taavistainen stands as the proof. If everything was preset and decided beforehand, then there would be no need for gambling or the development of sports betting platforms to accommodate the need. And certainly, without legendary tales like his, there would be no interest in DOTA 2 or the rest of the e-sports games.
