Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis won his first career HLTV MVP award at PGL Masters Bucharest, where FURIA took the title. It was the team's second trophy in a row, and the 27-year-old Latvian was central to the run.
Speaking to HLTV, YEKINDAR joked that FalleN had said he was past his prime, yet here he was as tournament MVP. He added that everything went his way in Bucharest and that this may be how donk and ZywOo feel.
He admitted to having many doubts throughout his life, not only during his time at Liquid, but also from overthinking and being stuck in his own head. With age and time, he came to understand that what is in your head matters most, and finding the strength to overcome the doubts and bad periods was very important to him. He said that 50% of success is having the right people around him.
At FURIA he reached the top 15 in his first year despite missing roughly the first four months. Over the past three months he has a 1.11 Rating 3.0 across 93 maps played. He said he does not know exactly why he is performing so well now, pointing to teamwork, a studio event with no crowd and less pressure as possible factors.
He stressed that the moment is important for the team because FalleN will no longer be in the lineup at the end of the year. Regarding the upcoming Major, YEKINDAR said FURIA are taking it match by match and day by day rather than planning peak form for the Major, citing games against Nemiga and FaZe and trips to China and Hong Kong.