PGL Wallachia Season 1 marks the team’s first LAN appearance since the roster was formed. The first few months of the new year brought mixed results and a couple of roster changes. Less than a month ago, BOOM Esports was at the bottom of the groups at Elite League, finishing in the 12th-14th place. They didn’t qualify for DreamLeague Season 22 or ESL One Birmingham. With DL Season 23 out of reach as well, PGL Wallachia is their only opportunity to make a significant impact this spring.
With this in mind, BOOM Esports secured three victories in the modified Swiss group stage, earning a top 8 finish and a spot in the playoffs. However, they were immediately sent to the lower bracket by Team Falcons.
The elimination rounds didn’t get any easier for BOOM, who had to face last year’s three-time Major champions, Gaimin Gladiators, in their first lower bracket round.
BOOM Esports vs. Gaimin Gladiators
Gaimin started the first match with a first-pick Lifestealer, which allowed BOOM to draft a beefy lineup and plan their strategy. They gave Christian "Pakazs" Savina his signature Templar Assassin and adopted a five-protect-one strategy to start the match strong. They put their faith in Pakaz in the second game as well, reserving him the last pick, which was a Troll Warlord to counter Gaimin’s offlane Axe and carry Clinkz. BOOM once again drafted around their carry, with all the tools necessary to protect their Troll. Between Tusk’s Snowball and Phoenix’s heels, Pakaz became unstoppable.
Pakaz delivered his best carry performance of the year, finishing with a 16/0/15 K/D/A and leading BOOM to victory over Gaimin Gladiators.
“We feel like we are making more steps forward than backward,” said Melchior "Seleri" Hillenkamp, Gaimin Gladiators' captain, in the exit interview for the official English broadcast. He also mentioned that none of the GG players played their best in this series. Unfortunately for his team, this marks the fifth tournament in a row where GG fails to make it to the top 4.
On a positive note, the top 8 finish at PGL Wallachia is an improvement from their last-place finish at ESL One Birmingham last month.
With their victory over Gaimin Gladiators, BOOM secured a top 6 finish at the first LAN of 2024 for the new roster. Their journey at PGL Wallachia continues tomorrow at 09:00 CEST, where they will face the loser of the Team Spirit vs. BOOM Esports upper bracket semi-final.