After winning Thunderpick World Championship and FISSURE Playground 1, FURIA has finally stepped onto an arena where true strength is tested. In China, YEKINDAR’s team aims to prove that it can compete — and win — not only against mid-tier opponents but also among the world’s elite. The road to the IEM Chengdu 2025 semifinals has already proven their readiness, as FURIA confidently defeated The MongolZ (2–0), maintaining composure and unity throughout
The Series Against The MongolZ: Control, Character, and the “Molodoy Effect”
Mirage — a map that had caused problems for FURIA just months ago — has now become a symbol of their stability. The standout player was molodoy, who won a 1v2 clutch through the smoke as the arena echoed with chants of “molodoy! molodoy!”
I was sure he would win. Moments like that show true character. When you see a young player stay calm under pressure, you realize the team is moving in the right direction, said YEKINDAR.
At the same time, the Latvian rifler showed respect to his opponents:
The MongolZ are in a rebuilding phase. After Senzu changed roles and later left the team, their dynamics shifted. But even so, making the playoffs was a big step forward for them.
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“We’re No Longer Satisfied With Mediocrity”
Two consecutive online titles might have created an illusion of stability, but for YEKINDAR, that’s not enough.
You can say those tournaments didn’t have all the top teams, but for us, that was a stage of growth. We’re starting to believe in each other and see the results of our work. Maybe not now, but soon, we’ll win something big.
FURIA no longer sees itself as a regional team that occasionally surprises. They now strive to become part of the consistent global elite alongside Vitality, MOUZ, and Spirit — names that represent the next milestones YEKINDAR wants to reach.
Vitality and MOUZ — Two Measuring Sticks
After defeating mid-tier teams, FURIA now faces the challenge that every aspiring top-five team must overcome: how to beat those already there.
The first time we played Vitality at ESL Pro League, they destroyed us. We were playing the wrong kind of game — and that was a lesson. Every match against teams like that gives us experience. Even in losses, we gain the information we need to grow, YEKINDAR explained.
He even admits that some defeats bring him satisfaction:
The more we lose to Vitality, the happier I’ll be in a way. Not because of the loss itself, but because of the lessons we’ll learn from it.
The Latvian also mentioned MOUZ as an example:
They couldn’t beat Vitality for seven or eight matches straight. They just waited for experience to turn into confidence. That’s what will happen with us too. We just need those repetitions.
The Falcon Syndrome — How Not to Underestimate the Opponent
The previous matchup between FURIA and Falcons ended in a 2–0 victory for the Latin Americans, but YEKINDAR refuses to relax.
Falcons are one of the most dangerous teams right now. m0NESY is great, but we have molodoy. NiKo or kyousuke are amazing players, but we have KSCERATO. We’ve got our own stars, our own energy, and we deserve just as much respect, he stated.
At the same time, YEKINDAR admitted he enjoys watching Falcons play:
I always watch their matches to learn something new. They have so many cool micro-plays. Honestly, I just want to play against them and learn even more.
Strategy, Confidence, and the Human Factor
According to analysts, FURIA’s main strength is not just aggression or mechanical skill but the synergy between YEKINDAR, arT, and KSCERATO. Over several tournaments, the trio has learned to balance structure and creativity, while the young molodoy has become the team’s emotional engine. As analyst Flashie noted :
This isn’t the old chaotic FURIA anymore. They’ve learned to think. If YEKINDAR and KSCERATO hit their peak, Falcons will struggle — even with m0NESY in top form.
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Two Games From History
FURIA now stands at the threshold of its greatest challenge yet. Ahead lies a clash with Falcons, and beyond that, a possible grand final against one of two giants — Vitality or MOUZ. For YEKINDAR, this isn’t just another stage of a tournament; it’s a symbolic moment — facing opponents who once seemed untouchable. Two trophies have already proven that FURIA can win. But now the question is bigger — can they evolve from ambitious contenders into true champions?
We’re not thinking about just going far. We’re thinking about winning it all, YEKINDAR concluded.
FURIA arrived in Chengdu not as outsiders, but as a team that finally believes in its own system. They’ve learned to treat defeats as lessons, respect their rivals, and no longer fear the top names.
Now, only one step remains — to prove it on the server.
