“I chosen to play, because there’s no point sitting on the bench” — Kvem embraces change in new line-up with Passion UA
“I chosen to play, because there’s no point sitting on the bench” — Kvem embraces change in new line-up with Passion UA
Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol, the Ukrainian rifler, has spoken candidly about a difficult but necessary decision: rather than remain benched or request a transfer, he opted to play with his new teammates — even when things were tough. In an HLTV interview after Passion UA’s 2-0 win over Gentle Mates at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, Kvem reflected on the early struggles, the adaptation required, and why staying active was more valuable to him than sitting out.
The roster shake-up: what changed, when, and why it hurt early
Earlier in August 2025, Passion UA made a bold roster move: they signed the core of Complexity (four players), integrating them with Kvem, who remained from the previous roster. This new mix was ambitious, but early results showed visible turbulence. At DraculaN Season 1, the restructured team failed to win a single map against opponents like Monte and 9INE.
Kvem cited several reasons the beginning was hard:
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Limited preparation time: The team had only “five or six days” of practice before their first matches. This compressed schedule made it nearly impossible to build synergy, particularly around communication and mapping strategies.
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Language & communication barriers: Moving from playing in Ukrainian rosters to an international one (with American teammates) created friction. Accented English, fast decision moments in live matches, and mid-round calls became problematic. Kvem admitted sometimes he couldn’t understand what was demanded of him in chaotic moments.
Turning the corner: from struggling to structured
After the rough start, things began to change. The interview with HLTV reveals key inflection points:
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Bootcamp & more practice
Passion UA organized a bootcamp, giving the players more days together. This allowed work on communication, map pool alignment, and clarifying roles. Kvem commented that having structure has made a big difference: “we have some structure. I am feeling good that we are playing together as a team.” -
Structured gameplay & new map mixes
One of the technical challenges was map pool differences: for Kvem, maps like Mirage, Dust2, and Ancient were familiar; his new teammates came from a pool favoring Nuke, Overpass, and Train. Harmonizing the map vetoes and individual styles has thus been crucial. -
Mental commitment: bench or play
Perhaps the most personal insight was Kvem’s mindset. He said he could have chosen not to play and simply opt for the transfer list, but believed that would amount to being passive. To him, even imperfect practice or mismatches are preferable to being inactive. For any professional, match play contributes to rhythm and growth.
What the Gentle Mates series told us
In their StarSeries Fall opening match, Passion UA faced Gentle Mates — a solid but beatable opponent. The 2-0 result was not just a win, but a litmus test. It signified:
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That the preparations and role adjustments were beginning to take effect;
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That communication was improving enough to avoid the breakdowns that plagued earlier maps;
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That Kvem, along with the rest of the team, felt more confident in executing mid-rounds and utility usage. Kvem described feeling better “playing together as a team.”
Why this matters: VRS, momentum, growth
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VRS & Major qualification implications: StarLadder StarSeries Fall matters for ranking, exposure, and Major qualification. For Kvem and Passion UA, building consistent results is not just about wins, but about climbing in VRS (Valve Regional Standings) which influence invitations and event seeding.
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Roster of increasing quality: With the addition of a core familiar with LANs and strong pedigree (the ex-Complex players), Passion UA’s upside is significant — if the adaptation period can be overcome. Kvem’s readiness to play, rather than sit, is a signal of commitment.
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Mental resilience & identity: Players and teams are often tested in transitions. Publicly acknowledging difficulties — language, map pool misalignments, limited practice — and still choosing to show up indicates mental strength. That resilience often separates mid-tier teams from those that break into upper echelons.
Key quotes & perspective from Kvem
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“I had the choice to not play and be on the transfer list, but there was no point to sitting on the bench if I have the chance to play.” — reflects his competitive they-rather-act mindset.
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On communication: “When it’s going crazy on the server I can’t understand what they want from me.” Learning curves include both tactical execution and real-time voice interplay.
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On adaptation: the differences in map pools and styles make strategy adjustments necessary. The effort to align playstyles is under way.
What still could go wrong
While improvement is visible, challenges remain:
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Consistency under pressure: Will Passion UA replicate improved performance against tougher opponents or in closer series? One good win is margin, but multiple are validation.
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Communication under stress: Even though the language barrier is decreasing, in chaotic server moments or clutch rounds misunderstandings still happen — precision of calls matters.
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Map veto risk: If opponents force maps outside Passion UA’s comfort, the team may be vulnerable until full map pool depth and practice is built.
Bottom line
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Who: Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol, Ukrainian rifler for Passion UA.
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What: Following a difficult start with the newly formed roster (ex-Complex core + Kvem), he chose to play rather than stay on the bench or wait for a transfer.
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Why: To stay active, develop with the new roster, adjust to international communication and map styles, and build momentum.
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Recent result: 2-0 victory over Gentle Mates at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, showing positive signs of adaptation and structure.
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Outlook: If Passion UA continues to sharpen communication, map prep, and internal structure, they could move from early exits to serious competitors. Kvem’s mindset suggests he’s not content with being an inactive player — he wants to compete and grow.
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