Insider Gaming spoke to Danil ‘molodoy’ Golubenko at the IEM Cologne 2026 Major to discuss FURIA’s emotions coming into the playoffs of the event.
The Brazilian organization won four events in 2025, but has yet to taste silverware in 2026. We discuss how FURIA aim to get to the top again, and FURIA’s potential path to the Grand Final at Cologne.
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Insider Gaming interviews molodoy at the IEM Cologne 2026 Major
We’re here at the IEM Cologne Major playoffs. How are you feeling?
I’m good, I’m great, thank you.
Last year, you were riding high, you won four events in a row, you know, you had a great year. In 2026, it feels like it hasn’t really clicked as much. How would you contrast what’s happening in the game?
I think, first thing, the FalleN tihng and and this is, I would say, not good. But second thing, I think we are just trying to find our game.
Yeah, I think so.
Can you describe how you’re finding your game or what improvements you’ve made?
I’ll say I’m trying to change my game a little bit, and trying to help the team and trying to do more stuff. I think, yeah, that’s all.
So would that be more of a supportive role?
No, I’m not talking about support. I’m talking about all things, not only in-game, but before the game, what we do with this team and stuff like this.
You guys had like two quite emotional events back to back because at IEM Rio and PGL Astana, do you have any reflections on those events?
I think in Rio and in Astana, it’s very good for us to come because it’s two, I’ll say it’s two home tournaments.
When you play this tournament, I think you’re taking a little bit of confidence in this tournament because people only support you, and I’ll say you take a little bit of motivation for yourself, and it’s very good for you and for us as well.
Do you feel like there have been moments where your performance has not been as good under that kind of pressure?
I don’t have pressure. I don’t have pressure. I’m just trying to do my best, and yeah, it’s all good.
So in terms of the team chemistry, we’ve seen yuurih not being able to find his timings, some rotations not working as well as last year. What are you working on to improve?
You know, maybe some habits, the call is not working. It’s always in Counter-Strike, sometimes maybe some gamble s**t’s working, and some stuff’s not working, and this is Counter-Strike.
It’s sometimes you can kill five guys, sometimes you can kill only one, you know, it’s Counter-Strike. Who knows what happens?
Your side of the bracket in the playoffs is maybe more favourable? How do you assess the potential matchups for you?
I cannot say it’s a kind of easy bracket. 9z plays well. We play against 9z in the first game. They beat very good teams in the PGL Astana. They beat good teams here too, and Aurora and BetBoom are good teams too. I cannot say it’s an easy bracket.
It’s a very good bracket. It’s always in a Major, you have a hard team.
How would you assess 9z’s strengths?
I’m not watching how they’re playing a lot of time, but I think I watch when they play against magic in PGL Astana. They’re playing good.
I like how they’re playing. A little bit gambly, but I like it.
In terms of, you know, your own individual form, do you feel like you’re online in the server?
I don’t know. We will see. We will see.
End of interview
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Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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