Team Falcons stirred controversy when they declined to shake hands with BetBoom Team following their triumph in the grand final of ESL One Birmingham 2024 for Dota 2. Luka "Lukawa" Nasuashvili, the team's Eastern European manager, shed light on the decision.
"We lost. It's disappointing, but that's how it goes," stated Nasuashvili, adding, "Trash talk is trash talk, but not shaking hands with your opponent after the game is just clowning around. Well, it's everyone's choice. If you don't respect your opponent, nobody will respect you. That's my opinion."
Team Falcons secured victory over BetBoom Team in the decisive match of the tournament, clinching a 3:0 victory. Before the match, Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Hertek engaged in some pre-game banter.
ESL One Birmingham 2024, held from April 22nd to 28th in the United Kingdom, saw Team Falcons walk away with a $300,000 prize for their achievement.
Lukawa, manager of the BetBoom Team Dota 2 roster, provided insight into why Team Falcons chose not to shake hands post-victory, clarifying that it was not a gesture of disrespect but rather a request from the event organizers.
According to Lukawa, Falcons explained that the organizers instructed them to proceed directly to the trophy ceremony without engaging in handshakes, emphasizing that there was no ill will intended. Malr1ne, a member of Team Falcons, promptly complied with the directive.
In addition to the handshake controversy, analyst Yaroslav "NS" Kuznetsov weighed in on the grand final, criticizing Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Hertek for his conduct during the match.