Passion UA captain: team ‘in limbo’ after IEM Atlanta

Passion UA finished last at IEM Atlanta after a 2-0 loss to Natus Vincere on May 11 and a 2-1 defeat to SINNERS on May 12 in Atlanta.

The team traveled with Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev as a stand-in after Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold left the active lineup. Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærli and Michael “Grim” Wince also departed earlier this year. Captain Johnny “JT” Theodosiou said the five who traveled had about three days of practice together.

JT reviewed the elimination series against SINNERS and pointed to a loss of composure on Mirage. “I think Mirage, we kinda lost our composure, even when we were winning,” he said, noting the CT half was around 7-5 before communication and execution issues carried into the T side. “I think the ideas we had were incomplete, and our mid rounds were lacking communication.”

He blamed roster instability and a lack of consistent practice for the season’s run of poor results, saying the team has used different five-man lineups three or four times and has had stretches with minimal shared practice time. “Right now we’re kinda just in limbo,” he said, urging the organization to finalize the roster so the team can build a strategic playbook and develop tactics.

JT praised stand-in Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev, calling him easy to play with and noting his energy, game sense and past IGL experience. He described sdy as “a really strong player with a good mind for the game.”

Passion UA leaves Atlanta and will need to settle a permanent lineup to increase practice time and rehearse set plays ahead of upcoming events.