Dem0n backs Krabeni’s blunt leadership at IEM Cologne

FUT kept their IEM Cologne Stage 3 run alive by defeating B8, a result that preserved the squad’s place in the top-12 invite pool for upcoming tier-one events. The match followed two opening losses for FUT to Vitality and G2, leaving the team 0-2 in the pool before the B8 win.

Dmytro ‘dem0n’ Myroshnychenko, 18, described the victory as important for removing immediate pressure on the roster. In his first interview following the match, he said he was glad the team had ‘survived one more game’ and that the result ‘secured all the invites,’ which eased short-term concerns.

Dem0n recounted a moment on Mirage when Aulon ‘Krabeni’ Fazlija’s voice comm, audible on the broadcast, snapped him back into focus. He explained he had been ‘in my own thoughts’ and that Krabeni’s blunt approach helped him recover, particularly on the Terrorist side, where he performed better after that exchange.

On leadership style, dem0n argued an in-game leader must be direct with teammates. He said an IGL should call out problems plainly rather than remain passive, and he used the phrase ‘be full chill’ to describe the approach he thinks is ineffective. He contrasted that with captains who visibly react when opponents make mistakes and said those reactions can sometimes reset a team’s focus.

Dem0n also addressed the adjustment to regular tier-one competition. He noted the shift from online play to frequent LAN travel required time to adapt and that teams at this level prepare detailed anti-strats that can leave less experienced rosters uncertain how to respond. He described FUT’s roster as having roughly six months on the tier-one circuit.

Asked about FUT’s chances of reaching the playoffs, he highlighted the closeness of the losses to Vitality and G2 and expressed belief the team still had a path forward. He referenced the squad’s previous stage performance, when they went 3-0, and said the current challenge was to improve quickly in upcoming matches.

Dem0n concluded that the team must ‘wake up’ for the next days at the event if they want to turn survival into a deeper run. He repeated that the win over B8 reduced some pressure but that FUT was not yet playing at their best and needed to sharpen for remaining matches.