en
BetBoom Team Is the PGL Wallachia Season 5 Champion
PGL Wallachia Season 5 was full of surprises, and BetBoom Team coming out as champion was one of the biggest. After a dominant best-of-five in the Grand Finals, the Eastern European powerhouse lifted the trophy once again.
This marks their second championship of the year, the first being FISSURE UNIVERSE: Episode 4 back in March. After beating Team Spirit twice and eliminating one of the tournament favorites, BetBoom Team heads into the Esports World Cup with renewed momentum and a strong morale.
__________________________________________________________________
BetBoom Team: Unexpected Champion, But Not Weak
As we mentioned in our Group Stage recap, BetBoom Team was far from a favorite going into the playoffs. They were the strongest among the trio of teams that qualified on the last day — but not expected to claim the title.
Their run took place almost entirely in the Lower Bracket, with the exception of their opening Upper Bracket win against Team Spirit. That win alone was a strong signal that the tournament would not follow expectations.
After their Upper Bracket Semifinal loss to Team Liquid, BetBoom Team rebounded with a win over Natus Vincere. They then eliminated Team Spirit in a hard-fought rematch and secured their Grand Finals slot by taking down Team Liquid in a revenge victory.
Not only did they beat one of the favorites twice, but they also avenged their previous loss to Team Liquid. These results underscore BetBoom Team's strength as a top Eastern European powerhouse and their ability to adapt quickly to overcome even the toughest of rivals.
Gaimin Gladiators: The Holders of The International "Aura"
One of the other major surprises of the event was the Gaimin Gladiators reaching the Grand Finals with a commanding performance. In contrast to their shaky results throughout 2025, they sailed through the Group Stage in the first round, beating three teams without dropping a single map.
In the playoffs, they opened with a win over Tundra Esports, followed by two dominant 2-0 victories against Xtreme Gaming and Team Liquid. With this performance, the Gaimin Gladiators appeared to be the strongest team heading into the Grand Finals.
Grand Finals: BetBoom Team Surprises Again
Entering the Grand Finals, the Gaimin Gladiators were the clear favorites thanks to their flawless Upper Bracket run. However, BetBoom Team defied expectations yet again, opening the best-of-five series with an immediate 2-0 advantage.
This shocked many, but it aligned with the narrative of Eastern European dominance that has defined 2025. The Gaimin Gladiators made a brief comeback on Map 3, winning it and making the series 2-1, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
On the fourth map, BetBoom Team sealed the deal, becoming the PGL Wallachia Season 5 champion. As a reward for their efforts, BetBoom Team took home US$300,000, the Gaimin Gladiators earned US$175,000, and Team Liquid walked away with US$120,000 for placing third.
What's Next: Onward to Riyadh
The conclusion of PGL Wallachia Season 5 also signals the end of Tier 1 tournaments before the Esports World Cup. All the top contenders from Wallachia will now regroup and meet again in about a week — this time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Esports World Cup will be the next major proving ground, offering another glimpse at the evolving metagame and how the top teams are shaping up before The International 2025.
If you want to stay informed about the strategies revealed at PGL Wallachia, team developments ahead of the EWC, and how all of this affects their chances at TI 2025, be sure to follow the Strafe news section for the latest coverage and analysis.
Featured Image Source: Twitter (@pglesports)
