BetBoom Team Seal the Deal at BLAST Slam 1

Finally, after toiling for three whole years since first forming the squad in 2022, BetBoom Team can now call themselves Dota 2 LAN winners — at least when it comes to the organization as a whole, thanks to their first place finish at BLAST Slam 1. This new, retooled roster, that brought in fresh perspectives from multiple positions in the lineup, has now broken through and established themselves as one of the best teams in the world right now.

They did this by beating Tundra Esports, the other squad that got themselves seeded straight into the semifinals of the BLAST Slam 1 gauntlet bracket, in very convincing fashion three games to one. And they accomplished this with a stand-in in the form of Danil “gpk” Skutin, no less, as Gleb “kiyotaka” Zyryanov was unavailable for this tournament.

IS THAT IT?!?!?!

HAS @Betboomteam WON?!?!? pic.twitter.com/or96qi7JyY

— BLAST Slam (@BLASTDota) December 1, 2024

This result has been a long, long time coming for BetBoom, who were a mainstay in the top 6 to top 8 range in major tournaments last year. That lineup featured former International champion Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek, albeit in a support role rather than in the solo mid spot as he is more known for.

Unfortunately for that roster, their 2023 and 2024 campaigns ended in disappointment, although the potential was definitely there. They placed sixth at TI12 and eighth at TI13, but have actually looked like a legitimate threat in major tournaments for about a year and a half now. They started cracking the podium places at BetBoom Dacha Dubai, and improved to second place at DreamLeague Season 22.

You can see what this means to @puredota187 🥹 pic.twitter.com/PK1zTB23ED

— BLAST Slam (@BLASTDota) December 1, 2024

So for them to finally grab a trophy after getting so close for so long is a true accomplishment, and they should absolutely be proud of themselves. Tundra Esports may not have been a Team Falcons, but their form at BLAST Slam 1 was more than worthy of respect — so I don’t want to see anyone downplaying this result. Not after everything this organization has been through.

This win is probably just the start for this team, as it would be a waste for them to let go of their growing momentum now. As it happens, they are invited to ESL One Bangkok, so they won’t have to wait too long to capitalize on this groove that they’ve found.