The highly anticipated Riyadh Masters 2025, a premier Dota 2 tournament, saw its share of thrilling victories and crushing defeats. Among the latter was BetBoom Team`s exit in the quarterfinals, following a hard-fought series against the formidable Tundra Esports. In the immediate aftermath, Ivan “Pure~” Moskalenko, BetBoom Team`s carry player, stepped forward to offer a candid and somewhat raw assessment of their performance, directly addressing the disappointment felt by his team`s dedicated fanbase.
Speaking on the English broadcast, Pure~ didn`t mince words regarding the decisive third game of the series. “I don`t know [what went wrong],” he admitted, reflecting on a game where they seemingly held the reins for a significant period. The turning point, he suggested, boiled down to “a couple of stupid decisions.” He highlighted a particularly critical moment: a mid-lane skirmish where his own Black King Bar (BKB) — a pivotal item providing temporary spell immunity — was inconveniently en route via courier, while teammates were still in the process of acquiring their own. It`s a classic esports gaffe, almost a meme, yet here it was, perfectly illustrating the razor-thin margins at the professional level. Tundra Esports, ever the opportunists, capitalized on these lapses with clinical precision.
“Tundra did everything they could to win,” Pure~ acknowledged, expressing respect for their opponents` ability to seize the initiative. When questioned if Tundra had surprised them strategically, his answer was a resolute “No.” This suggests BetBoom Team felt they understood their adversary, yet execution failed them when it mattered most. It`s a testament to Tundra`s discipline that they could exploit known weaknesses, rather than needing to invent new ones.
Despite the setback, Pure~ remained resolute about BetBoom Team`s standing in the global hierarchy. “I don`t think this loss will change much,” he asserted, affirming their position as a “top team” and firmly among the “eight best teams in the world.” Such confidence, even in defeat, underscores the self-belief prevalent in elite esports. However, the weight of the loss was palpable as he turned his attention to the fans.
“Sorry for letting you guys down,” he stated, his words tinged with genuine regret. “It was very hard. I don`t know. We should have won. Maybe I played bad, maybe the team. Who knows. But in the end, we lost.” This unvarnished admission of responsibility, even while sharing it with the team, paints a picture of a player grappling with high stakes and public expectation. The disappointment was, as he put it, “a big disappointment – no doubt.”
Looking ahead, Pure~ offered a glimpse into BetBoom Team`s resolve. “We will try to win next tournaments, we will do our best at TI.” The International (TI), Dota 2`s pinnacle event, remains the ultimate goal, and the Riyadh Masters, with its intense competition, serves as a crucial proving ground. BetBoom Team`s journey at Riyadh Masters 2025 concluded with a 5th-8th place finish, securing $125,000 in prize money. While a substantial sum, it`s clear the monetary reward pales in comparison to the aspiration of hoisting the champion`s trophy. As the dust settles, BetBoom Team faces the familiar challenge of turning a significant defeat into a catalyst for future triumphs, a narrative all too common, yet consistently compelling, in the dynamic world of professional Dota 2.
