“I can definitely feel that FalleN has some mind-games” — YEKINDAR on FURIA’s mental edge and playoff path

“I can definitely feel that FalleN has some mind-games” — YEKINDAR on FURIA’s mental edge and playoff path

Following a pivotal 2-1 victory over Team Vitality in the upper-bracket finale of BLAST Rivals in Hong Kong, Latvian rifler Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis opened up to HLTV about the mental warfare his team faced — and the subtle psychological battle being waged by FURIA’s veteran IGL, Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo. In his words:

“From my first-person view… I can definitely feel that FalleN has some mind games. You never know if he's right or not, but you can definitely feel that he has a logic behind why he's thinking he's going to do it like that or something like this — what to expect, what not to expect…” 

Tension in the finals rerun

The context of the statement is crucial. Earlier at the IEM Chengdu 2025 Grand Final, FURIA and Vitality had already clashed — FURIA emerging victorious with a convincing 3-0 sweep. Their rematch in Hong Kong, therefore, carried additional weight: familiarity, legacy, and strategic adaptations all layered on top of the standard bracket pressure. YEKINDAR emphasised this dynamic:

“When you play the same team, especially in such a short period of time, again on the same map, it’s all about a little bit of mind games and also a little bit of luck.” 

This speaks not only to the tactical mirror-match patterns but also to the IGL duel between FalleN and Vitality’s apEX — the latter widely considered the standard-bearer of modern IGLs, while FalleN represents the old-school, cerebral approach. YEKINDAR referenced this contrast:

“Old-school IGLs that come to mind are chopper, FalleN, apEX… I feel like each one of these IGLs have a specific style… you can definitely see it when you’re playing against a team.” 

FalleN’s reputation rests on reading the opposition’s expectations and being one step ahead — adjusting utility, baiting decisions, and pushing tempo organically. YEKINDAR’s quote suggests that FURIA not only recognised this, but used it to their advantage.

Tactical adjustments and hidden reads

In discussing their series, YEKINDAR pointed out one of the key swings:

“We conditioned them with our last game in the finals, where we rushed A two times … it allowed us to steal a round on B which was a 2-v-5, if I’m not mistaken, by molodoy and yuurih…” 

This reads as deliberate: FURIA forcing variables on Vitality’s side, exploiting the memory of the finals two weeks prior — and then catching them in the low-economy / mental transition phases. YEKINDAR acknowledged how force-buys and unconventional reads turned matches:

“On CT side, the force-buy, a lucky call to stack A and they got fucked … after you lose the force-buy … it fucking sucks (smiles). But I’m glad we were able to close it out.” 

What this shows is FURIA’s deeper layers: beyond weapons, picks, and maps to the meta-mind game between sides. FalleN, with decades of IGLing experience, has built a reputation for manipulating this space — and YEKINDAR, now part of this ecosystem, candidly admits: he can feel it.

The bracket implications & advantage

By winning the upper-bracket final against Vitality, FURIA secured direct access to the semis of BLAST Rivals — dodging a quarter-final match and landing on the opposite side from other top contenders like Falcons and Team Spirit. YEKINDAR noted:

“We’re playing Passion UA or paiN … a little bit crazy system, I’m not gonna lie. But everything comes down to favourites losing their opening games.” 

Indeed, the bracket at this event is unforgiving: winning early saves maps, energy and preparation time. For FURIA, landing in this position helps them maintain momentum and freshness.

Why the mind-game exists

Here are several reasons why YEKINDAR’s sense of mind-games makes sense:

• Map memory & recent match history – Facing the same opponent on the same map in rapid succession creates meta-layers. The opposition may anticipate strategies, so being unpredictable becomes key.

• IGL legacy vs young talent – FalleN brings decades of experience; his ability to disrupt opponent rhythms stems from refining this mental edge. YEKINDAR, reflecting on his previous comments, notes how FURIA’s newer talents (molodoy, yuurih) fit into his broader strategy.

• Bracket pressure and economy swings – Mind-games shine most when margins are thin. As YEKINDAR said: early force-buys, low-econ rounds and opponent discomfort after being manipulated.

• Team identity and adaptation – FURIA aren’t just playing CS2; they’re playing a layered psychological contest. YEKINDAR’s recognition of this shows the internal culture messaging aligning with execution.

Looking ahead: What to watch

• Semifinal opponent & mental preparation: With their route secured, FURIA now await Passion UA or paiN. How they carry this “mind-game” momentum will matter.

• Sustainability: Mind-games work best when your fundamentals are strong. FURIA must maintain their mechanical and tactical level, not rely only on psychological edges.

• Opponent awakening: Teams like Vitality will adjust in future. If FalleN’s games are readable, rivals may prepare accordingly — so FURIA’s next step is ensuring their mind-game well isn’t dry.

• Young talent integration: YEKINDAR’s leadership and acknowledgement of the psychological layer shows FURIA’s younger core (molodoy, yuurih) are being groomed for more than fragging; they’re being trained in meta-CS.

Final word

Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis’ remarks shine a spotlight on an often-underappreciated layer of professional CS2: the psychological duel between IGLs, teams and minds. When he says, “I can definitely feel that FalleN has some mind-games”, it’s not just trash talk — it’s recognition of an intangible advantage. FURIA’s ability to exploit that edge may be the difference between them winning this event and merely performing well.

In an era where many teams emphasize utility usage, stats and tactical depth, the psychological dimension provides an extra axis of competitiveness. FURIA’s current run shows it matters — and their semifinal berth at the BLAST Rivals may just be the first step in leveraging mind-games into trophies.