lauNX warns FUT future uncertain after IEM Cologne exit

FUT were eliminated from IEM Cologne after a 2–3 defeat to BetBoom in Stage 3. The team recovered from a 0-2 deficit to force a decider but were unable to close out the match.

Laurențiu “lauNX” Țârlea said the squad entered the veto confident but felt the pressure during the deciding map. “It was too much pressure and we couldn’t handle it,” he said, and added that trying to force a win led to errors: “When you play to win, that’s the moment you make a lot of mistakes, you crumble under the pressure and you just lose it.”

He pointed to an early collapse on the first map that required the coach to rally the players. LauNX described the team’s comms as reflecting mixed feelings and said he did not have a clear explanation for what went wrong in that stretch.

FUT completed a season that included a PGL Bucharest title and a run from local tournaments and LANs to regular appearances at tier-one events. LauNX noted the roster’s rapid progress over a single year and said the group achieved results faster than many teams do over longer periods. “I’m playing together with them for a year, and we achieved what others can’t do in five years,” he said.

Looking ahead to the off-season, lauNX warned that roster stability was not guaranteed. He said players are likely to attract interest from larger organisations and commented, “Many things can happen, especially when the big guys are coming with crazy offers.” He declined to discuss specific transfer scenarios to avoid creating expectations that might prove incorrect.

Despite the exit, lauNX expressed confidence in his teammates’ long-term prospects, predicting some will win a Major in the coming years: “I don’t know how these guys will be in the next two or three Majors, but for sure some of them will lift the trophy.” He added that he did not feel overwhelmingly sad about the result and highlighted the team’s season-long improvements.

FUT now enter the off-season with questions about roster continuity and potential offers from other organisations. The team’s next announcements will clarify whether the current lineup remains intact or if players move elsewhere.