S1ren: BETBOOM’s stage experience to aid playoff push

BETBOOM swept its FISSURE Playground 3 group 3-0 in China from Sept. 8–10, 2026, beating BIG (2-0), Astralis (2-0) and MIBR (2-0) to secure a direct spot in the semi-finals. Pavel “S1ren” Ogloblin highlighted the team’s recent stage time and individual work as factors going into the knockout rounds.

S1ren credited focused practice since the Esports World Cup 2026 for clearer individual decisions and improved macro play. He described the Sept. 8 match against BIG as controlled despite close scores. The Sept. 9 game with Astralis was tougher and nervy; S1ren noted BETBOOM had not beaten that Astralis tag before. On Sept. 10 the team closed the group with its Anubis pick versus MIBR, winning the T side cleanly while CT rounds were less steady.

“I don’t think how you played in the group stage affects how you’ll play in the playoffs,” S1ren said, recalling a Guangzhou event where BETBOOM also went 3-0 in groups and then lost 13-2, 13-2 to FaZe in the knockout round. He said the team must treat each playoff match independently and focus on its own play.

With a European stretch of three consecutive tier S events due in about 20 days, S1ren described FISSURE Playground 3 as a chance to build match sharpness and confidence before that schedule. He also pointed out that official matches on stage and in front of a crowd are different from practice scrims.

S1ren missed the recent Major after his visa did not arrive in time; he learned he would not travel a day before his teammates left. He called the experience mentally difficult, used the break to rest and regroup, and said he identified areas to work on both as a player and personally. The team has implemented a long-term visa solution and does not expect further problems.

BETBOOM will prepare for the semi-final in China with three group wins and multiple recent stage appearances. S1ren cited regular playoff appearances and stage time over the past six months as experience he expects will help the team manage pressure in upcoming matches.