On Friday, January 27,
Karmine Corp suffered a second loss in the
VALORANT VCT EMEA Kickoff against
Team Liquid (2-1). It was a close but frustrating series for the players, as KC let several key moments slip away and now . Karmine Corp dropped to the lower side of the triple elimination bracket and will be fighting for survival in the competition in every upcoming match. Right after the game, Bogdan
"Sheydos" Naumov spoke with
Sheep Esports to reflect on this setback and share his thoughts on KC's first steps, the adjustments to be made, the team's mindset for the future, and more topics.
After this match, what are your feelings? What was missing to win the game?
Bogdan "Sheydos" Naumov: "On the second map, on defense, we started 0-4, but we recovered to 7-5, so it’s not bad without the pistol. On attack, we lost a lot of crucial rounds: 5v3, 4v2. We played well macro-wise, but in the small micro situations, we were lost. On the third map, our attack was fine, we were on the same page, and we won a lot of rounds with an advantage. The main problem was on defense: we didn’t adapt to their comp. We focused a lot on mid, and sometimes it wasn’t needed. Then the snowball factor happened.
Every time you had the numerical advantage, you lost it. What do you think caused that issue?
Sheydos: We have problems with it. We are focusing a lot on it because our anti-eco rounds are sometimes not the best, and we lose a lot. We need to focus more on it, but it’s part of the process.
We saw Burak “LewN” Alkan on Jett. It's not really common since Waylay is coming on the meta. Do you think comfort picks are more valuable than meta agents?
Sheydos: On Abyss, it’s a comfort pick for him to play Jett. He was playing really well in BBL on Jett, so if he feels the agent, why not? On this map, in my opinion, Jett is still a good agent to pick.
In your opinion, what was the key mistake that cost you the series, because we saw a lot of good things but also bad things?
Sheydos: On attack, we didn’t follow the macro plan. That’s why we got white noise in our heads, and it became nothing. It was also the first game for us, an adaptation game, and we didn’t get into it. Some things that happened in that first official game never happened during the three months of practice. We accept it, and we move forward.
So let's talk a bit about you joining Karmine. How did the contract happen in practical terms?
Sheydos: It was the off-season, and I was training for teams. The main thing I wanted was to play again with Engh (Andrey Sholokhov) because he is a very good coach, and ZE1SH (Ahmed El Sheikh) as well. I trialed with them and also tried a new role as IGL. It was something new for me, but I wasn’t scared. It was a new opportunity. We need to get better with time because the season is long, and we have to look long-term. I said yes, I’ll take this opportunity and do my best. Step by step, we will be good.
sheydos during the game against Team Liquid. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games
We know you and Engh have already been on the same team before. How did it feel to be reunited today, and did it make it easier for you to integrate into the team knowing he was there?
Sheydos: Maybe yes, but it’s 50-50 because it’s five different people with language barriers. You know the coach is good and strong, and you follow that. You don’t feel it will be Gambit version 2 because it’s different people and a different language. The focus is to follow the coaching staff.
Today, as KC IGL, how would you define your leadership and how you deal with coaching requests?
Sheydos: I’m the type of IGL who tries to keep everything under control. Because it’s new, new things happen, and at the beginning, it’s hard to control everything every time. Step by step, when I can fully control the emotions of my team, we won’t give crucial rounds like we gave on Split, and we won’t get snowballed on attack or defense. I need to work on controlling the people around me.
As an IGL, you have to manage the team while still performing individually. How do you find the right balance between those two roles?
Sheydos: The main focus as IGL should be the team. You still do your routine as an individual player, but most of the time you focus on the team and the goals for each player. When you manage everything inside the team, it becomes easier to play individually. If you become an IGL, focus on the team, and the individual game will come with time.
With this roster change, three of the five players were picked. What is the objective in VCT in 2026?
Sheydos: The objective is step-by-step: learn to manage pressure and everything together. Kickoff helps to get experience, get better with each other, manage situations, and see gaps you can fix during the season. The objective is to go to the Champions. If we play the same in officials as we play in practice, everything will be good. Step by step, I’m sure we will play really, really well."
