Falcons handshake snub at ESL One Birmingham 2024: Is there beef with BetBoom?

Team Falcons emerged victorious at ESL One Birmingham 2024 with a dominant 3-0 win over BetBoom Team. However, fans were quick to notice that Team Falcons did not engage in the customary post-match handshake with the BetBoom players, raising eyebrows in the esports community.

Team Falcons lifts the trophy at ESL One Birmingham 2024 (Image Credits: ESL)

BetBoom Team explains the handshake incident

Following persistent inquiries from fans, BetBoom Team’s manager, Luka “Lukawa” Nasuashvili, clarified the situation regarding the missed handshake. He mentioned that the event organizers had instructed Team Falcons players to head directly to the trophy presentation area after their win, which led to the skipped handshake.

Oliver “skiter” Lepko from Falcons reassured that the gesture was not intended to be disrespectful. Additionally, Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak took the initiative to contact BetBoom personally to clear up any misunderstandings afterwards.

Ironically, Lukawa, who initially suspected disrespect from Falcons, was criticized for his reaction, given BetBoom’s history of provocation and trash-talking. This raised questions of hypocrisy among fans.

TORONTOTOKYO’s controversial remarks

Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek, BetBoom’s captain, is known for his provocative comments towards opponents, including derogatory remarks towards Falcons’ player Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf and disrespectful labels for Malr1ne during the event.

This behavior is not new for BetBoom, as they had a previous rivalry with Azure Ray’s former lineup, culminating in a disrespectful exchange at the International 2023 event. TORONTOTOKYO’s behavior has been criticized for its excessive nature and lack of sportsmanship.

Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek (Image Credits: ESL)

Emulating trash-talking tactics

TORONTOTOKYO’s behavior has drawn comparisons to Sébastien “Ceb” Debs, a renowned player known for using trash talk as a strategic advantage in matches. Ceb’s approach has been successful in creating mind games with opponents, although opinions on its impact remain divided.

TORONTOTOKYO’s aggressive rhetoric has sparked debate within the esports community, with many questioning the line between competition and disrespect in professional gaming.

Reflections on excessive behavior

The community remains divided on TORONTOTOKYO’s conduct, with concerns over the disrespectful language and behaviors displayed during matches. The fine line between competitive spirit and unsportsmanlike conduct continues to be a topic of discussion in the esports world.