BYMAS Admits Monte ‘Almost Lost to Ourselves’ in Tense Victory Over Legacy at IEM Cologne Major 2026

Monte secured a crucial 13-11 victory over Legacy to move into the 2-1 pool of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 2, but Aurimas “BYMAS” Pipiras believes the team made the match far more difficult than it needed to be.

Speaking to HLTV after the win, the Lithuanian rifler admitted that Monte struggled with emotional control throughout the game and warned that such issues could prove costly as the tournament progresses. Despite getting the result they needed, BYMAS felt the team was fighting itself as much as its opponent.

“A rollercoaster of emotions, we almost lost to ourselves,” BYMAS said after the match. He pointed to a lengthy technical pause immediately after Monte won the opening pistol round, explaining that the interruption disrupted the team’s momentum and contributed to mounting frustration.

The 21-year-old revealed that Monte experienced unusual tilt issues during the game, something he described as rare for the team in official matches.

“We had some tilt issues in this match, which we're going to have to solve because during the Major, we cannot lose our heads. These matches are way too important to lose our heads,” BYMAS told HLTV.

According to the Lithuanian, the scoreline did not fully reflect Monte’s potential. While he praised Legacy as a dangerous opponent, he believes the European squad could have produced a much cleaner performance had they managed their emotions better.

“I feel like the game could have been even way better for us if we actually played our A game and we didn't tilt, but overall, 13-11 against a team like Legacy is awesome,” he added.

The victory was especially important given Monte’s difficult path through Stage 2. The team opened its campaign with a win over BIG before pushing G2 to triple overtime in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far. Although Monte ultimately fell short against the international powerhouse, the performance boosted confidence within the camp rather than damaging morale.

BYMAS dismissed the suggestion that the emotional struggles against Legacy were connected to the heartbreaking loss to G2. Instead, he described the tilt as something that appeared unexpectedly during the match.

“It came out of nowhere, to be honest. We usually don't have any issues mentally in officials,” he said.

In fact, the Monte players were encouraged by how they performed against G2 despite the defeat. BYMAS believes the match demonstrated that his team can challenge elite opposition and compete at the highest level of Counter-Strike.

“We were very proud about yesterday, even though we should have even closed the game against G2. We were very, very happy that we are showing this game, and that the best teams should be scared of us, because we're here to fight,” he explained.

Monte’s strong start to the Major has been one of the more positive stories of Stage 2. Entering the tournament as an underdog compared to many established organizations, the squad has shown it can compete with some of the strongest teams in the field. Their current 2-1 record leaves them one win away from advancing to the next stage of the competition.

For BYMAS personally, the event carries additional significance. The Lithuanian is the only player on the current Monte roster with previous Major experience, making him one of the team’s key voices during pressure-filled moments. His impact has also been evident on the server, where he delivered several influential performances during the opening days of the tournament.

When asked whether he feels extra responsibility due to his experience, BYMAS downplayed the idea, instead attributing his performances to confidence and good form.

“I would say it's a good day in the office,” he said.

Still, the interview highlighted an important challenge facing Monte as the Major enters its decisive phase. While the team has proven it can compete tactically and mechanically with stronger opponents, maintaining composure in high-pressure situations could determine how far it advances in Cologne.

The narrow victory over Legacy kept Monte’s playoff hopes alive, but BYMAS made it clear that the team cannot afford similar emotional lapses moving forward. With qualification matches looming and the level of competition only increasing, staying calm may be just as important as winning aim duels.

If Monte can combine the confidence it gained from its performances against BIG, G2, and Legacy with improved mental resilience, the team could become one of the most dangerous outsiders remaining in the IEM Cologne Major 2026. For now, however, BYMAS believes the priority is simple: keep emotions in check and focus on the next challenge.