Team Falcons curse is broken! They got crowned as BetBoom Dacha Champions in Belgrade after five intense games.
The redemption story for Team Falcons finally happened in Belgrade, as they just became the BetBoom Dacha 2024 Champions. But this wasn't an easy job, as Tundra Esports was very close to do so after a dominant third game out of five.
Following a third place at Riyadh Masters, fourth at TI, and second at PGL Wallachia S2, Falcons finally got rid of their curse by the end of the season. During the winners' interview, Ammar had one thing to say to the world: "I am the best in the world." And no one can counter that spell.
Even thought they have to play again tomorrow for the DreamLeague S24 (as if nothing had happened), this series will be remembered for it's hypest moments. Let's review the whole story, clips included!
Game 1: The importance of Aegis of the Immortal
The first game was an even one—until the Nightfall's Luna got the Aegis of the Immortal. In the pursuit of the BetBoom Dacha Champions title, Tundra decided it was going to be a farming race. Skiter had the Gyrocopter for Falcons, and it looked like a very close game thanks to Doom's passive income too, but it wasn't about money.
Tundra's draft was better prepared for the teamfight scenario, as they had the perfect combination of initiation and defensive play. Their weakness was on how easily killed the Luna is, and their stun potential after Beastmaster's Primal Roar was used. The solution they came up to steal the first game against Falcons was securing Roshan: Aegis for Nightfall, Refresh Shard for 33.
Game 2: Falcons wasn't ready to give up on the BetBoom Dacha Champions title
Contrary to the first one, the second game was not even at all. Starting on the minute fourteen, it was a massacre in favor of Team Falcons. Despite having less than 40% winrate, Tundra tried to play around a Bristleback pick. The MENA team easily countered this with magic burst and fast tempo.
Also, they forced a lot of teamfights with their Pangolier, a hero that punishes the early game due to the lack of BKB's. On the contrary, Tundra had to wait for the late game for their Medusa pick to work. Thus, Falcons took away every comeback opportunity for Tundra very quickly, and sealed the game with 30 kills to 17.
Game 3: A taste of their own medicine
By this point of the tournament, everyone knew how scary Skiter's Alchemist is. However, they could've never expected how strong Nightfall was with this pick. Tundra managed to break all the records with him, dominating the third game's networth with ease from the minute five.
But Team Falcons had a lot of tools to fight, they just needed to be the initiators. During some teamfights, Malrine's Storm Spirit was able to split Tundra's back lane, allowing Skiter to hit freely with his Gyrocopter. The only issue they had was trying to disengage before Alchemist was ready to reset the fight.
On the other hand, Tundra was so ahead during the third game of the BetBoom Dacha Champions series, that they only needed one push. After they secured Roshan, it was more than enough to achieve this.
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Game 4: Absolute cinema
When you reach the 40-minute mark in Dota 2, a networth difference of 6K or 8K is absolutely nothing. Knowing this, we could say that the fourth game of the series was even until the very end. A single mistake was the difference between claiming the Betboom Dacha Champions title or going to a fifth match.
And suddenly, it happened: Ammar The Unkillable baited the fight with a beefy Doom pick, while Tundra was playing with two glass canons. One of them, the Storm Spirit, had to play extremely careful—getting doomed would be the end for him, and they needed the Storm to control Falcons' teamfighting capacities. The clip you're about to see is the proof that patience pays, and that a Game 5 was what this Grand Finals deserved.
Game 5: The BetBoom Dacha Champions
Remember when we said Skiter is scary with Alchemist? Before this game, Team Falcons played this hero six times, and won five of them. However, this game was complicated for the MENA carry: Even at minute 30, he was tied in farm with Nightfall's Ursa.
The game was far from over, and it got even more interesting when the late game hit. 33's Refresher Orb on Enigma was a constant threat, and it forced multiple awkward teamfights on Falcons' side. However, during top lane's push, a crucial fight gave Tundra the much-needed advantage: Enigma got a good black hole on Alchemist, but got better when ATF jumped into it.
But, what Ammar gives, Ammar takes back. Despite having used most of their buybacks, ATF saved the high ground with a beautiful Aeon Disk-Refresher play. Thanks to this, they forced 33 to waste his second Black Hole, and secure a kill on Nightfall.
The next fights were one disappointment after the other for Tundra Esports. They finally got picked off out of position and without buybacks, closing the series in Falcons' favor.
Like we previously said, the DreamLeague S24 is right around the corner. After some hours celebrating the BetBoom Dacha Belgrade Champions, we'll be enjoying another million-dollar event. Make sure not to miss it!