Sources: Gentle Mates bench pakko, promote KUNDIKUNDI ahead of VCT EMEA playoffs

While the French organization has qualified for the VCT EMEA Stage 1 playoffs, Gentle Mates have decided to bench Pavle "pakko" Kostić and promote Jiri "KUNDIKUNDI" Honkala to the Head Coach position. After a successful Kickoff and qualification for Masters Santiago, the roster struggled during Stage 1, finishing with two wins and three losses, and securing a spot in the lower bracket of the playoffs.

Coming from Karmine Corp’s academy team, pakko managed to lead his squad to victory at the start of the 2025 season. Benefiting from a favorable meta, Gentle Mates went on a strong run during the first segment of the year, with three consecutive wins and a loss in the Winner bracket final against BBL Esports. It ultimately took a 3-2 victory in the Middle Bracket final against Fnatic to secure the club’s first-ever international VALORANT event qualification, representing Lucas “Squeezie” Hauchard, Corentin “Gotaga” Houssein, and Kévin “Brawks” Georges.

In Santiago, Mates continued their momentum with two opening wins, first against EDward Gaming and then Team Liquid, securing a playoff spot. However, the second phase of the tournament proved much tougher for pakko’s players, who lost to the surprising Nongshim RedForce in the Winner bracket before falling to All Gamers in the lower bracket. These back-to-back defeats sent Gentle Mates home.

Back in Berlin for VCT EMEA, the meta had shifted, and Gentle Mates, who had relied on standout performances from players like Martin "marteen" Pátek on Yoru, found themselves more affected than other teams that had not peaked during Kickoff. With three losses and two wins, Gentle Mates narrowly qualified for the Stage 1 playoffs in fourth place. Starting directly in the lower bracket, the roster will need to win three matches to secure one of the three spots for Masters London.

It is therefore ahead of this decisive match that the club has chosen to make a staff change, promoting KUNDIKUNDI from Assistant Coach to Head Coach for the playoffs.