Insider Gaming caught up with Mareks ‘YEKINDAR’ Gaļinskis after FURIA’s 13-9, 13-4 victory over Aurora in the Semi-Finals of the IEM Cologne 2026 Major.
YEKINDAR explained what a Major title would mean to him, why FURIA showed their best in the series, and who he expects to face in the Grand Final of the Major.
Insider Gaming speaks to YEKINDAR after qualification to the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Grand Final
You’re in the Grand Final. How does it feel?
It feels, of course, great. Honestly, a little bit unthinkable because coming into this tournament, there was no necessarily confidence.
For us, the season was on a lower note, you know, and of course, it’s interesting how everybody clicked at the same time, and I’m super grateful for the team, super grateful for FURIA for this opportunity.
Today felt perfect from you guys, but yesterday, especially on Dust 2, it seemed like 9z really read you really well. So what do you think you changed in this match?
Well, I think for us, quarter-finals was a little bit mental as well because there was already two Majors before where we lost in quarter-finals and expected to win.
So, it was hard to play because 9z is definitely a team with fire in their eyes, and they were choosing all the right things. It was very hard to play on Dust 2, but Mirage, somebody wanted us to win, even after KSCERATO crashing on the 5v3, yuurih won 1v4, there was a 2v5 that we won.
So there was those little details, the Major magic, I call it, those are the ones that allowed us to win that map.
So in terms of the Dust 2 today, it was more like everyone just felt like confident from the start?
Yeah, I feel like it was easier to play because, we are already past quarter-finals, and I feel like Danil [molodoy] was feeling it as well today, especially on Dust 2, it’s one of the most important things. If Danil’s feeling good, then it’s going to be a good map.
You’re going to fight for the trophy now. What would it mean to you to win a major?
Of course, I mean, I think it would be inspirational for many people out there, everybody who remembers two years ago where I was in terms of mental and result-wise and everything.
Winning a major trophy would be an example for people, and of course for me it would be nice and everything, it’s cool, it’s something you dream of, but for a bigger picture, I feel like if it can help people to see my story and to see me win, then that would be amazing.
In terms of history, do you have a memory of a major from when you were young, that inspired you to get into Counter-Strike?
I’ve watched many majors during that time, but a specific memory, no. I think back then, back then I think it was when Fnatic won in 2015, the olofmeister Tec-9. I think that’s, that’s for me the most memorable thing.
In terms of Nuke, your rotations were really on point. It’s something that’s not been great at times this year, so how was everyone contributing to that today?
All these rotations come from communication and how people feel and communication comes from how people feel. Today, I woke up, I saw in their faces, in their eyes, everybody was ready to play today and that’s why everything went so smooth.
People were adding one plus one, when somebody asks something, the other one confirms.
As silly as it sounds, those are the fundamentals of a great CT-side and that’s what we’ve been focusing on a lot.
Who do you want to play in the Grand Final?
Honestly, it doesn’t matter, but I think Spirit will win.
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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