cmtry credits MOUZ win for confidence surge as FUT reach PGL Bucharest final

cmtry credits MOUZ win for confidence surge as FUT reach PGL Bucharest final

Nikita “cmtry” Samolotov has pointed to FUT’s breakthrough victory over MOUZ during their ESL Pro League campaign as the turning point behind both his individual resurgence and the team’s rapid rise, culminating in a grand final appearance at PGL Bucharest 2026.

The young roster has been one of the standout stories of the tournament in Romania, showcasing aggressive firepower and a fearless playstyle to secure a place in the title decider against Astralis — marking their first opportunity to claim a major LAN trophy.

For cmtry, the event represents a dramatic personal turnaround. After struggling for form in previous tournaments, often finding himself near the bottom of the scoreboard, the 18-year-old has emerged as one of the highest-rated players at the event. He attributes this improvement primarily to a boost in confidence gained during FUT’s run at ESL Pro League, particularly after defeating top-tier opposition like MOUZ.

“After we beat MOUZ and showed good results at EPL, I gained a lot of confidence — now it’s easier to play,” cmtry explained.

This shift has allowed him to play with far less pressure. While earlier appearances at big events — including matches against elite teams — created tension and inconsistency in his performance, the experience of competing on stage and achieving meaningful wins has helped him settle into a more composed and confident version of himself.

Interestingly, cmtry emphasized that the pressure he previously felt was not tied to playing in arenas, but rather to the caliber of opponents. Facing top-tier teams in events like ESL Pro League and PGL Cluj had initially exposed both individual and team limitations, but those same experiences now appear to have accelerated FUT’s development.

This progression aligns with earlier comments from the player during Pro League, where he acknowledged that FUT’s explosive early success had started to attract attention — with opponents increasingly studying and adapting to their aggressive style. At the time, he admitted that teams were beginning to “read” FUT more effectively, forcing the squad to refine their approach while maintaining their trademark firepower.

Despite those challenges, FUT have continued to evolve. Their run in Bucharest has included wins over competitive teams such as The MongolZ and PARIVISION, reinforcing their belief that they can compete at a higher tier. According to cmtry, the team now sees itself as a legitimate contender capable of challenging stronger opposition on a consistent basis.

“We proved that we can play against better teams and that we are starting to become a top-tier team,” he said.

Heading into the grand final against Astralis, cmtry expects a closely contested series. While FUT are entering one of their first high-profile best-of-five matches, he expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, particularly in their map pool and overall readiness for a long series.

Astralis, meanwhile, arrive in strong form, having delivered consistent performances against high-level opponents — something cmtry acknowledged while previewing the matchup. Nevertheless, FUT’s rapid rise, improved confidence, and growing experience suggest they are no longer just an underdog story, but a genuine threat to lift the trophy.

As the team prepares for the biggest match of their careers so far, cmtry’s transformation — from struggling performer to key contributor — reflects the broader trajectory of FUT: a young roster gaining belief, adapting to tier-one competition, and beginning to deliver on its potential.