After a surprising group stage run, Virtus.pro find themselves in the IEM Katowice 2025 playoffs. We had the opportunity to speak to Petr “fame” Bolyshev, ahead of the quarter-finals.
Bruno: Hi fame, first of all, congratulations on advancing to the playoffs.
Did you expect to reach the playoffs of such a big tournament this early into your run?
fame: It’s hard to say. I didn’t have any expectations. I just wanted to win as many games as possible and we just did it. I’m happy, but I don’t have any expectations. I think it’s fine when you are a new team, you just want to win ever game, that’s it.
Bruno: Obviously, before the break Jame used to call, now it’s electroNic.
What are the main differences between how they in-game lead?
fame: I don’t know. It’s very hard to say because we are still, you know, working on our playstyle and this stuff. We’re still a young team. We don’t have that much tactics and all this stuff and electroNic, he still needs, you know, experience because he wasn’t an IGLing for a long time. He needs this experience. So sometimes maybe with have fast rounds some more. I don’t know, it’s hard to say. We maybe need some time to keep our tactics together and all this stuff.
Bruno: We can see that the atmosphere within the team seems great. You guys are really fired up and you seem very energetic.
Is that because of the new additions of FL4MUS and ICY?
fame: I think yeah, it’s a normal thing when you bring 2 new young players. They have new energy, young energy, young blood. They always bring these emotions and all this stuff. And especially on the first event, one the first one, it seems like very great atmosphere. We have great atmosphere and we hope we keep it for the playoffs and for the next events as well.
Bruno: Yeah, you’re without FL4MUS for the playoffs, obviously.
Does that change your approach to the Spirit game at all?
fame: I don’t know, maybe we will see.
Maybe we will create some, I don’t know, crazy tactics for this game to destroy them.
I don’t know, we will see in the game.
Bruno: You’ve been playing Train quite a bit.
Credit: ESL Faceit Group | Adam Lakomy
Do you enjoy the map?
fame: Yes, yes, yes, I like it. But, you know, I think it still needs some time to create the meta, because on the first games it was like a crazy B push meta, like CTs were pushing below and all that stuff. Maybe we need some time to get back maybe CS:GO meta to the new Train. But, I like the map. I enjoy it. It’s much better for me than Vertigo.
Bruno: Lastly, the FAMAS and MP9 update is played at Katowice for the first time.
Do you enjoy the FAMAS more than the MP9 or is it not enough of a nerf to the MP9?
fame: Yes, I always enjoyed the FAMAS more, but on this event we played not on the last update, so it’s not fixed yet. But for me it’s great that they nerfed the MP9 and buffed the FAMAS because I like the FAMAS.
Bruno: Okay, thank you fame and good luck in the playoffs
fame: Thank you.