Aurora IGL MAJ3R Praises Rising FUT Team, Says Their Aim Outshines Spirits of Top Tier Teams

Aurora IGL MAJ3R Praises Rising FUT Team, Says Their Aim Outshines Spirits of Top Tier Teams

At PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, a major Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament held in Romania from February 14–22, 2026, Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli, the in-game leader (IGL) of Aurora, offered high praise for the impressive form of FUT after a challenging opening group stage match. 

Aurora have been one of the most talked-about teams in the early 2026 scene. Last year, they competed under the Eternal Fire brand, but after organizational changes, they now represent Aurora with a revamped roster that blends veteran experience with promising talent. 

In their first group match at the event, FUT stunned many observers by defeating Aurora 2-1 in a best-of-three series. FUT took Mirage and Overpass convincingly (13-6 on both maps), while Aurora managed to fight back on Anubis.  This result made a statement, as Aurora had shown solid form at IEM Kraków 2026 prior to Cluj-Napoca and entered the event with expectations to go deep. 

Following that defeat, MAJ3R spoke openly about what impressed him most about FUT’s performance. While he acknowledged Aurora still have “ways to go” to translate strong online and LAN results into consistent playoff success, he singled out the raw firepower and shooting accuracy of FUT’s players — comparing them favorably even against well-established teams. 

“I think the biggest strength they have is the firepower they have, aim-wise, of all five people. It’s very good.
When I play Spirit or Vitality or I play Falcons, FUT are shooting better than all these teams.” — MAJ3R. 

MAJ3R also credited FUT’s in-game leader, Aulon “Krabeni” Fazlija, noting his ability to lurk effectively and adjust strategies with multiple B-site plans — a key part of their tactical versatility. 

Why MAJ3R’s Comments Matter

MAJ3R’s remarks resonate because they come from a respected figure in the CS2 competitive scene. He led one of the most successful Turkish and international lineups over the last decade, and his insights reflect both tactical understanding and direct in-match experience against top squads. 

Teams referenced in his comparison — Team Spirit, Team Vitality, and Falcons — are widely recognized as elite contenders:

• Vitality recently captured the IEM Kraków 2026 title, reinforcing their status as a top-tier squad and carrying momentum into Cluj-Napoca.

• Spirit and Falcons both boast considerable firepower and pedigree, with Spirit historically performing well at Majors and Falcons featuring star players like NiKo in previous seasons.

That MAJ3R groups FUT’s shooting above these established teams highlights not just a good performance, but arguably a statement about the increasing competitiveness of up-and-coming lineups in CS2. FUT’s ability to hang with and outperform this caliber of opposition underscores their rapid rise through the ranks. 

The FUT Story So Far

FUT Esports, a relatively young CS2 team, have been steadily climbing the global standings. Their core roster — which includes players like dem0n, lauNX, Krabeni, cmtry, and dziugss — have shown strong individual ratings and team synergy in recent months. 

Prior to Cluj-Napoca, FUT entered 2026 with modest expectations but gained attention with solid regional performances and improving world ranking. Their victory over Aurora — against a team with more LAN experience — elevated their profile significantly. 

What This Means for the Event

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 uses a Swiss system in group stages, where teams must win to secure advancement and favorable seeding. Early upsets, like FUT’s win over Aurora, can greatly affect bracket positions and the path to playoffs. 

Meanwhile, other top teams are also making moves: Vitality have beaten G2, FURIA claimed notable victories, and the opening days have showcased a wide range of competitive matches. 

MAJ3R’s comments have sparked discussion among the community, with some fans debating whether FUT’s performance truly surpasses traditional tier-one teams — or if this reflects Aurora’s own fluctuations in form.