sidde after EWC: “This is not the real FURIA Esports ”

sidde after EWC: “This is not the real FURIA Esports ”

FURIA Esports coach Sidnei “sidde” Macedo reflected on the team’s Esports World Cup 2026 campaign and addressed the roster’s future in an interview with HLTV.org.

FURIA Esports finished inside the top four after losing to Legacy in the third-place match, but sidde admitted the team is currently struggling with coordination and composure in crucial situations. He also discussed Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis taking over calling duties on several maps and outlined the options FURIA Esports are considering after Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo’s retirement.

sidde explained FURIA Esports ’s problems at EWC

According to sidde, FURIA Esports did not lose focus heading into the third-place match, despite the team not wanting to play it. Instead, many of the issues that surfaced had already appeared in their previous series.

“I would not say that we lacked focus. We knew how important it was to win this match. It mattered for the VRS and the EWC Club Championship standings. But since yesterday’s game, the team has looked slightly disconnected, and many of today’s mistakes were the same as yesterday’s.”

The coach specifically pointed to opportunities FURIA Esports threw away on Ancient , including two separate 4v2 advantages that could have allowed the team to close the match much earlier.

“We began rushing in moments that required composure, perhaps because of the pressure and tension of the game. When we needed to play more calmly, we rushed, and that disrupted the flow of the rounds.”

sidde believes FURIA Esports are currently missing some of the mutual understanding and chemistry that previously helped them navigate difficult situations.

“The team genuinely lacked cohesion in its understanding of what was happening in the game. We used to handle these situations much more calmly. Right now, there is a certain disconnect and a lack of chemistry within the team.”

FURIA Esports left EWC with a bitter taste

Despite reaching the semifinals, sidde found it difficult to view the tournament entirely positively.

FURIA Esports had an opportunity to reach the grand final against FUT, but allowed a key advantage to slip away while leading 10:7 on the third map.

“It left a bitter taste because we had an opportunity to reach the final. Not only because of the opponent, but because of how the game unfolded—we already had it in our hands. When you have a 5v3 advantage at 10:7 on the third map, you have to close out the match.”

Even so, sidde does not consider FURIA Esports ’s overall Esports World Cup result a failure. When viewed in the broader context of the season, he believes the team still showed a strong level.

“Rationally, my assessment is positive. Emotionally, everything feels very bad. There is a tremendous sense of helplessness, especially because we also lost the third-place match today.”

YEKINDAR is already calling on three maps

One of FURIA Esports ’s most significant recent changes has been the redistribution of some leadership responsibilities to Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis.

The Latvian currently serves as the IGL on Ancient , Anubis, and Cache. sidde explained that the decision was influenced by FalleN’s positions on those maps, while YEKINDAR had already been heavily involved in decision-making as the team’s secondary caller.

“On these maps, where it is easier for him than for FalleN, it made sense to give him the leadership role. There is no other reason—on these maps, he is the best caller for our team.”

For now, FURIA Esports have no plans to hand the captaincy to YEKINDAR permanently. His IGL responsibilities remain limited to those three maps.

FURIA Esports are considering two options to replace FalleN

Following FalleN’s retirement, FURIA Esports will need to determine how to restructure the leadership of the roster.

sidde revealed that the organization is currently considering two different approaches.

“We are currently considering two possibilities. The first is to bring in a captain to replace FalleN, with YEKINDAR remaining in his current role. The second option is to sign a player who is not a captain, in which case YEKINDAR would take on that role within the team.”

No final decision has been made, with negotiations and player availability expected to influence which direction FURIA Esports ultimately take.

FURIA Esports want to keep molodoy and YEKINDAR

FURIA Esports ’s future has also been surrounded by rumors involving molodoy and YEKINDAR, but sidde made it clear that the organization does not want to lose any of its current players.

“Obviously, we do not want any of our players to leave. These are external rumors, and it is not our job to deal with them internally right now. We need to do our work.”

According to the coach, the strongest argument for keeping the roster together is proving that FURIA Esports can consistently compete for and win championships.

“Winning tournaments is the way to show these players that there is no reason for them to even consider another project.”

FURIA Esports want to reach the BLAST Porto playoffs

FURIA Esports ’s next major challenge will come at BLAST Open Porto.

Although the team has limited preparation time, sidde does not believe that will prevent them from addressing the problems exposed during the Esports World Cup.

“I do not think the things we need to fix will take much time. What we really need are conversations, understanding, and mutual agreement on what we are discussing. I do not think the lack of time will hold us back.”

Reaching the playoffs while showing an improved level of play will be FURIA Esports ’s primary objective.

“At the very least, we want to reach the playoffs and play well there. As a coach, I want the team to play better than it did here. If that takes us to the playoffs, I will be very happy.”

sidde also emphasized the importance of competing in Portugal for both the team and its Brazilian supporters.

“We really want to play in Portugal . We know how important it is for the team and for Brazilians to play in Porto. It is a city we really want to visit.”

For FURIA Esports , BLAST Porto will provide an immediate opportunity to correct the problems that emerged during their Esports World Cup campaign.

“I want the team to fix these mistakes because this is not the real FURIA Esports .”