B1ad3: “With this performance, w0nderful — you can win tournaments”
B1ad3: “With this performance, w0nderful — you can win tournaments”
Andrey "B1ad3" Gorodenskiy, head coach of Natus Vincere (NAVI), praised his AWPer Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov after a standout showing at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, saying that if w0nderful keeps this form, the team can win tournaments.
✅ Context: NAVI’s recent struggles and renewed hope
Heading into the Budapest Major, NAVI had been under pressure. The 2024 “Team of the Year” has only managed to lift a single trophy in 2025 — the StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025.
Questions loomed about consistency, performance under pressure, and the effectiveness of the current roster. At one point, the coach himself admitted that NAVI could not yet guarantee trophy-winning — a reality given their recent results.
But the recent performance at Budapest may signal a turning point.
🎯 The match: w0nderful finding form when it mattered
According to B1ad3, w0nderful had struggled during the bootcamp leading up to the event — lacking focus, nervousness creeping in, and generally underperforming.
“Usually he has a very good performance in bootcamps and then he starts to be a bit nervous, or a bit shaky… This tournament, he's amazing.”
However, once the Major began, something clicked. The coach highlighted how w0nderful “just came and played really good.”
In particular, the map against B8 Esports stood out. NAVI had prepared a strong gameplan for the map Ancient, and the execution was near-perfect. Team coordination, composure under pressure, and synergy were all on point — and w0nderful delivered. “It was a very good map,” B1ad3 said.
That win sealed NAVI’s passage to the playoffs.
🤝 Team trust and internal praise — not just from the coach
It’s not only B1ad3 praising w0nderful. Inside NAVI, the sniper has also received glowing recognition from teammates, especially regarding the coach’s impact. In a recent interview, w0nderful described B1ad3 as “a CS genius,” saying it often feels like he “knows what will happen” on a map — “like he sees the future.”
He credited B1ad3 with building the team’s structure, refining rounds, adjusting strategies, and keeping the squad aligned, even if sometimes sternly.
That internal belief and structure seem to be paying off — not only in form, but also in confidence.
🧩 Why this moment could matter for NAVI's trajectory
-
Stabilizing a volatile roster. Over 2025, NAVI has undergone changes and tried to rebuild a stable core. At one point the coach admitted that without a “star lineup,” the team couldn’t realistically expect to win consistently.
-
w0nderful’s breakout form. Players have highs and lows; what looked like an inconsistent bootcamp turned into a strong Major start. The turnaround demonstrates mental resilience — a quality needed in long tournaments.
-
Team cohesion and discipline under turmoil. NAVI’s internal respect for B1ad3’s vision — including structure, tactical discipline, and shared accountability — gives them a foundation for future success.
As B1ad3 put it, they’re not getting ahead of themselves. Their goal is to approach one match at a time, focus on process over expectation.
📆 What’s next: playoffs — and a bigger stage ahead
With their place locked in for the playoffs at the Budapest Major, NAVI now have a few days to prepare. According to B1ad3, such prep time is critical — especially for a team like NAVI, known for strong bootcamp performance and tactical preparation.
But perhaps more significant is what comes after: the results of Budapest influenced the regional slot allocation for upcoming Majors. Thanks to strong European performance, Europe gained an additional slot for the next big Major in Cologne 2026 — cementing the importance of NAVI’s showings not just for themselves, but for the region.
🔎 Big picture: Is this the rebirth of the NAVI we knew?
From dominating 2024 to a rocky 2025, NAVI’s path has been bumpy. But the current moment — renewed structure under B1ad3, resurgence from key players like w0nderful, and a successful Major start — may signal a shift.
If they continue leveraging discipline, teamwork and individual form, they might not just contend — they could win again. As B1ad3 said, with this kind of performance from w0nderful, “you can win tournaments.”
For now, NAVI seem to be stepping out of uncertainty; but only time (and their playoff performance) will show whether this is a turnaround — or just a spark.
Related News
