FURIA beat Vitality 2-1 in the BLAST Rivals 2026 Season 2 upper bracket and secured a place in the semi-finals. The Brazilian-majority team won the Mirage decider 13-0. After the match, Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis told HLTV how the series felt from the inside.
A 13-0 scoreline suggests total control, yet YEKINDAR describes a game full of tension and swings. His honest view of the win, and of what comes next, gives a clear picture of where FURIA stand ahead of the Major.
A Rare 13-0 on Both Sides of the Event
FURIA and Vitality met in Hong Kong for seeding in the playoffs. The Mirage decider ended 13-0 for FURIA. It was the second 13-0 at the event, after FUT beat FURIA by the same score on the opening day.
However, the final map did not look that one-sided to YEKINDAR. He says the series was full of highs and lows across Inferno, Dust2 and Mirage.
There’s so much cortisol and stress during these kinds of games because when you’re playing a strong opponent like that, every detail matters.
Luck, Retakes and a molodoy Highlight
YEKINDAR admits that FURIA were better on the day, but also luckier to some degree. In his view, Vitality had many chances on Mirage to close out rounds. FURIA retook B in a 3v3 situation twice. They also won a 4v5 retake on B, where molodoy had an insane highlight.
As a result, YEKINDAR does not call the 13-0 a fluke. He does say the map was much closer than the score suggests.
Why Dust2 Became a Strength
FURIA also stood out on the CT sides of Dust2 and Mirage. YEKINDAR says the team had struggled on Dust2 and on the T side of Mirage, so it made both maps a focus. He and KSCERATO switched spots a couple of months ago. To learn the map, FURIA studied Vitality, whom he calls probably the best Dust2 team in the world, and also Spirit.
In the end, though, YEKINDAR points to individual form more than preparation.
There was many rounds where KSCERATO and molodoy and yuurih on B defense as well on Dust2, even FalleN, everybody had their moments. And when our team is like that, we’re a dangerous team.
Staying Fresh in a Packed Season
The interview also touched on the heavy schedule. At one point, after a loss at EPL in Poland, the team felt tired and exhausted. FalleN told them they would either overcome it and work harder or give up. Therefore, FURIA chose to play scrims on match days, which was the only time they could get them.
Meanwhile, travel makes practice harder. In Beijing, for example, the only available scrim partners were the teams in the tournament. YEKINDAR says FURIA prefer to put in the hours and the theory rather than complain about the calendar. Sometimes those ideas make the team look silly, and sometimes they make it look like geniuses.
A Short Break Before the Major
FURIA now have an extra day of rest. BLAST Rivals is the last event before the Major, so a short break and some practice time are coming. YEKINDAR sees both an upside and a risk. After tournament after tournament, a break can make a team crash a little before it has to get back up.
The Major will also be Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo’s last event, which adds another unknown.
There are so many things we cannot really account for. And the only way to see how it’s going to go is to live the moment and play the game then.
Conclusion
In his interview with HLTV, YEKINDAR described the win over Vitality as proof of what FURIA can do when everyone shines, and also as a reminder of how thin the margins were. The team now has a semi-final ahead in Hong Kong and a Major to prepare for. FURIA have a plan for the schedule, for their weaker maps and for the emotional weight of FalleN’s farewell. In the end, YEKINDAR says the team is ready for every outcome.
