YEKINDAR: FURIA prioritizing identity over results

Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis said FURIA will prioritize regaining its team identity over chasing tournament placements as the squad prepares for the Cologne Major quarter-final against 9z. The comments came on the media day before the playoffs, after FURIA advanced with a 3-0 run through Stage 3.

Gaļinskis pointed to a difficult season that included a runners-up finish at IEM Krakow, missed playoffs at two BLAST events and problems in Stage 2 of ESL Pro League Season 23. He described the immediate task as rebuilding how the team operates on and off the server.

He said the squad is focusing on communication, clearer game plans and staying present in matches rather than managing expectations. “Our season has been trash, that’s just how it is, and we are focusing more on regaining our identity as a team,” Gaļinskis said, adding that practice and mindset work are the priorities in Cologne.

FURIA have gone 3-0 through Major group stages for three straight events but exited in the quarter-finals on two occasions. Those results prompted the team to change its approach for the knockout rounds, increasing day-to-day practice at the event site.

Gaļinskis described specific targets inside the team: better comms, clearer planning with teammates, and trust in individual decisions during rounds. He said players are deliberately avoiding planning for future outcomes and concentrating only on the present. “We’re just staying in the present; we’re thinking only about present,” he added.

He cautioned against underestimating 9z despite FURIA entering the match as the statistical favorite. Gaļinskis highlighted 9z’s momentum from wins over Spirit and said map choice and starts on each map will be decisive. The vetoes left FURIA without Ancient and 9z without Anubis; 9z’s usual picks include Overpass and Nuke, which Gaļinskis identified as strong for his side.

On preparation, Gaļinskis explained why the team sometimes rested earlier in events: illness at the Budapest Major and a heavy schedule required energy management. With more rest before Cologne and only three official matches played on-site so far, he said the squad feels refreshed and is practicing daily to maintain form without burning out.

He summarized the team’s approach ahead of the quarter-final: “Ready to talk, ready to play, ready to make decisions, ready to make moves and risks.” FURIA will aim to translate that focus on fundamentals into their next Major match.

Previously, we reported that organizers of the PGL Singapore Major finalized regional slot allocations following the results at Cologne.