Cover-Credits:
In a heated clash during the lower bracket semifinals of the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 Western Europe qualifiers, Team Secret emerged triumphant against OG with a 2-1 score. However, the victory was overshadowed by an unexpected and seemingly less-than-friendly tipping gesture from Team Secret captain Clement "Puppey" Ivanov, which was directed at OG's offlaner, Adrián "Wisper" Dobles.
While talking to Janne "Gorgc" Stefanovski on a recent livestream, Puppey explained why he tipped Wisper at the end of the game.
Puppey’s Personal Vendetta against Wisper
Known for his typically calm demeanor, Puppey's action of tipping Wisper left fans questioning the motive behind it. However, Puppey did not keep the fans guessing for long.
Recently, Puppey joined Janne "Gorgc" Stefanovski and Neta "33" Shapira on Gorgc's Twitch stream, where Gorgc took the opportunity to ask him behind the motive of the tip. Following this, Puppey shed light on a past incident with Wisper that fueled the tension.
The revelation centered around a recent public game featuring Puppey's Terrorblade. Puppey disclosed that Wisper had displayed a lack of interest and faith in Puppey's ability to carry the team. Despite Puppey's exceptional performance with a 13-0-30 KDA, the game concluded in defeat after a lengthy 78-minute struggle.
"He didn't believe and therefore started throwing," Puppey explained during the stream, referring to Wisper's lack of confidence in his carry capabilities. The frustration from this pub game spilled over into the official match against OG, culminating in the tipping incident.
Contrary to initial interpretations of a playful tip, Puppey's action appears to be a manifestation of deeper resentment stemming from the perceived betrayal in the pub match. The tipping act was not merely a celebration of victory.
In the initial phase of the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 Western Europe qualifiers, Team Secret encountered an early setback during Open Qualifiers #1, where Secret was eliminated by Alliance. Undeterred, it regrouped and made a subsequent attempt in Open Qualifiers #2, demonstrating resilience and ultimately securing advancement to the closed qualifiers.
Upon entering the closed qualifiers, Team Secret faced a formidable challenge in its opening match against OG, resulting in a 2-0 series defeat. Undaunted, Team Secret entered the lower bracket, determined to redeem itself. Its path to redemption led it to a decisive encounter against Alliance, where it emerged victorious, eliminating its earlier conquerors from the competition.
Having secured a foothold in the lower bracket, Team Secret displayed prowess by decisively defeating Team Tickles in a clean 2-0 series. The subsequent lower bracket semifinals saw a redemption match against OG, where Team Secret, this time, emerged victorious, showcasing adaptability and resilience.
Advancing to the finals, Team Secret faced off against Entity in a high-stakes showdown. The team delivered a stellar performance, securing a clean victory and solidifying its position as the champions of the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 Western Europe qualifiers.
Currently, the Team Secret roster for the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 tournament is as follows:
Remco "Crystallis" Arets
Yeik "MidOne" Nai Zheng
Miroslav "BOOM" Bičan
Daniyal "yamich" Lazebnyy
Clement "Puppey" Ivanov
This Team Secret’s new roster received a lot of community backlash. After the closed qualifier win, Puppey said, “Haters gotta stay down,” showing his confidence in the potential of the new team.
This triumph not only showcases Team Secret's ability to overcome adversities but also earns the team a well-deserved spot in the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on 11th December.
