Kirill “Boombl4” Mikhailov spoke to HLTV after BETBOOM reached the playoffs of Thunderpick World Championship 2026, saying the team are showing clear progress after a difficult start to the season.
BETBOOM defeated Legacy 2:1 in the Group B decider and moved into the global VRS top 10. The team will now face Falcons in the semifinal.
BETBOOM ARE STARTING TO SEE PROGRESS
BETBOOM opened the tournament with a 0:2 loss to FURIA but recovered with consecutive 2:1 victories over PARIVISION and Legacy.
Boombl4 believes the current event has shown improvement compared to the first tournaments of the season.
This tournament we’re playing better, and I feel the progress.
The in-game leader said BETBOOM struggled with pressure earlier in the season, while the players now appear more comfortable and are enjoying the game again.
Right now, I can say my guys are enjoying the game. We’re showing something, you know?
The victory over Legacy also moved BETBOOM from #12 to #10 in the VRS after the team gained 62 points.
LEGACY SERIES WAS A CRAZY GAME
BETBOOM had to come from behind several times to secure their playoff place.
They recovered from a large deficit on Nuke to win 16:13 in overtime before losing Dust2 11:13. The deciding Mirage remained close until the end, with BETBOOM closing it 13:11.
It was a crazy game.
Boombl4 identified the T side on Dust2 as the main negative from the series, but said the mistakes provide the team with new areas to work on before the next match.
The win secured the final place in the four-team playoff bracket.
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FULL LINEUP GIVES BETBOOM A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Boombl4 also compared the current situation with last season, when BETBOOM frequently had to compete with stand-ins.
Despite those difficulties, the team reached playoffs in Atlanta and at the IEM Cologne Major, giving younger players such as Magnojez, d1Ledez and S1ren additional LAN experience.
Right now we have a full lineup. It should be a great experience, and maybe we can make it to the final.
At the beginning of the season, the main goal for BETBOOM was simply to remain around the top 15–16 in VRS to keep receiving LAN invitations.
The team have now climbed into the top 10 and still have PGL Masters Bucharest and IEM Beijing ahead before PGL Singapore Major 2026.
FALCONS NEXT IN THE SEMIFINAL
BETBOOM will face Falcons in the semifinal of Thunderpick World Championship 2026.
The teams last met at the IEM Cologne Major, where BETBOOM won 2:0 despite playing with FL4MUS as a stand-in. Magnojez finished that series with a 1.86 rating.
Boombl4 sees the rematch as another opportunity for the current full lineup to gain experience against a leading opponent.
BETBOOM will face Falcons on October 17 at 19:00 CET for a place in the Grand Final.
