The playoffs of BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 have kicked off with a bang, showcasing thrilling quarterfinal matchups despite a few technical hiccups.
One of the standout encounters was the rematch between Gaimin Gladiators and Tundra Esports, a highly anticipated clash given their previous battle in the lower bracket finals of The International 2024.
A Changed Landscape
Both teams entered this series with new roster adjustments since their last meeting at TI, with Tundra undergoing more significant changes. While Gaimin Gladiators had bested Tundra in their previous encounter, this time, the latter seized the opportunity for revenge.
Notably, Neta “33” Shapira, a newcomer to Tundra, had previously triumphed over Gaimin in a different lineup at TI13.
Key Moments of the Series
- Whitemon’s Impact on Tusk: In the first game, Gaimin Gladiators capitalized on Tundra’s missteps, leading the series. However, Tundra turned the tide in the second game, where Gaimin made crucial mistakes during a midgame counter against Tundra’s split-pushing strategy. A pivotal moment occurred at 45 minutes when Gaimin attempted to force Roshan without adequate damage or map control. Tundra’s strategic Smoke of Deceit ambush led to a decisive victory.
- Clutch Plays: In a tense moment, Tundra’s safelane Gyrocopter was caught out with a Divine Rapier, but Whitemon’s timely Snowball play saved him, allowing Tundra to swing the skirmish in their favor. With Gaimin down to one buyback, Tundra secured the win shortly after.
The Deciding Game
In the final game, Gaimin initially dominated the early stages, but Tundra remained resilient. At 25 minutes, a crucial mistake by Gaimin allowed Tundra to turn the momentum, particularly through 33’s standout performance on Visage. Tundra capitalized on their regained momentum, securing Roshan and claiming a lane of Gaimin’s barracks.
As Gaimin’s Shadow Fiend attempted a desperate rat strategy at 39 minutes, Tundra swiftly countered, eliminating two heroes and forcing a buyback. This aggressive play ultimately led Gaimin to concede at 42 minutes, granting Tundra the series victory.
Whitemon’s Rising Stardom
Whitemon’s performance highlighted his prowess as one of the best players in the SEA region, particularly known for his clutch saves. After the series, he expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating:
“Feeling good, finally we can win against Gaimin. I learned a lot from Neta. I think the TI meta still hasn’t changed – it’s still the same. So, I’m still playing the same heroes, and I think it’s just the OP heroes for our team.“
Learning from EU Servers
In a post-match interview, Whitemon, who has been playing on EU servers for some time, shared insights into the differences between SEA and EU gameplay. He noted:
“I learned a lot. The bigger picture is like the map movement and anything – the comms also; something like that. So, yeah, I think I learned a lot from Europe. I would like to stay in Europe.“
Next Steps
With their victory, Tundra Esports advances to the upper bracket semifinals, where they will face the BetBoom Team. Meanwhile, Gaimin Gladiators find themselves in a challenging position, preparing to meet Aurora in the lower bracket series.
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