BetBoom reaches Cologne Major playoffs; FUT exit under pressure

BetBoom advanced to the IEM Cologne Major playoffs during Stage 3 despite fielding two stand-ins. FUT were eliminated after a loss to 9z, ending their run in the same stage.

Coach Artem “Fierce” Ivanov, who joined BetBoom earlier this year, noted the team had shown development since his arrival and adapted roles and in-game calls while using temporary players. BetBoom altered its lineup on short notice and still secured a place in the knockout bracket of the Major.

FUT’s elimination came after the match against 9z, whose individual performances and coordinated play decided the contest. Laurențiu “lauNX” Țârlea, FUT’s in-game leader, reflected on the loss: “It’s kind of hard. I’m not feeling anything, it’s… just hard.” He also described 9z’s play as strong: “They’re playing good Counter-Strike, each one is playing good, shooting hard. Their communication was also great.”

On the factors that affected FUT’s play, lauNX pointed to pressure disrupting communication during rounds: “I think it’s because of… I don’t know, the pressure. The round is going, and we are kind of losing, and that pressure is making our communication go off.” He outlined the team’s plan for the break as individual training rather than changing group routines: “No, I think during the break we will just train individually to make us improve.”

For additional context on individual consistency at the top level, Robin “ropz” Kool is recorded with a 1.12 rating across 1,856 maps, a kills-per-round of 0.74 and a deaths-per-round of 0.61.

The event now moves to the knockout stage, with surviving teams continuing in the IEM Cologne Major schedule.