Danil “molodoy” Golubenko spoke about FURIA’s start to the year after the team’s opening LAN appearance at BLAST Bounty, where the side struggled against FUT online and dropped map one to HEROIC in their first LAN match of 2026. Despite the team hiccups, molodoy has maintained high form. He finished eight maps at BLAST Bounty with a 1.51 rating and arrives into 2026 on the back of being named Rookie of the Year for 2025.
molodoy said opponents are studying FURIA closely and that constant adaptation is necessary. “Teams are preparing for us, and a lot of time it’s hard to play,” he said. He explained that the squad keeps changing small things because every rival is watching their tactics. The player discussed the practical side of round economy in CS2, noting how early losses snowball. “If you lose one or two rounds, you don’t have economy, and you lose 0-7 and need to start, win 7-5, we need to win pistol, and the game only starts now at 7-7. It’s hard, very hard,” he said, stressing that Counter-Strike is a live moment where decisions matter instantly.
On FURIA’s internal choices, molodoy confirmed the team has been experimenting with positions and buys. He declined to reveal the full plan behind a Mirage position swap between yuurih and FalleN, saying only that they will review the game and possibly make further adjustments. molodoy also addressed individual preparation and recovery. He said he had roughly 25 days before the Major and then 10 to 12 days to rest, which he is using to review 2025, hunt mistakes, and improve his individual play and teamplay going into the rest of the season.
When asked about targets for 2026, molodoy was clear. “Of course I want more trophies. We won four, and of course I want more this year, but you don’t need to overthink this. You need to just… you know, Counter-Strike is the dream,” he said, adding that winning feels amazing while losing brings a sharp low.
The full audio interview with molodoy is available on Spotify with the matchday conversation and longer responses.
