Although
Team Heretics lost their opening match of the 2026
VALORANT season against Natus Vincere, Ričardas
"Boo" Lukaševičius left with something just as important: clarity. In a post-match interview for
Sheep Esports, the in-game leader analyzed what went wrong on Bind, why the team lacked 'fire' in the early stages, and how the change in the line-up, with his brother Dominykas
"MiniBoo" Lukaševičius being replaced by
Berkcan "ComeBack" Şentürk, has affected the team's identity and day-to-day processes.
How do you feel after Team Heretics’ first game of 2026, despite the defeat, and what positives do you take away from today?
Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius: "I feel average. I’m not sad, but I have a clearer understanding of what we need to do in practice now. There were good rounds and good moments. We showed what we can do, and the coaches know what to focus on, so those moments happen more often. Overall, it’s okay.
What was Heretics missing to win Bind? What did you tell the team after Bind to reset?
Boo: On Bind, we were missing fire and emotions to win. They played well and suffocated us with utility. On attack, only a few rounds, we actually managed to counter it. Later in the map, after we lost the pistol, we had an advantage, and we played it badly; we went into a passive 5 vs. 4, gave them space, and lost the round. I told the team we needed to start making plays. On defense, we played much better, but it was already 4–10. They had strong ultimate rounds, and it was hard to break.
After this first match, what’s the main thing you want to fix immediately before the next one?
Boo: We need to bring more fire and be more proactive when we have advantages, especially in key rounds. If we do that, the game becomes much easier.
If you had to recap your offseason in three words, what would they be? And what was your biggest personal focus?
Boo: It was the realest offseason, meaning I rested more than after 2023 or 2024. My biggest focus was adjusting to the roster change. MiniBoo and ComeBack are two different players with two different styles, so I had to switch my expectations and understand it won’t be the same as before. It’s something new.
How did the MiniBoo decision happen on a human level, and how did you handle it as both a brother and a teammate?
Boo: It happened right after Champions. He told me he wanted something else, and I immediately said okay. His contract expired, and he wanted a different direction. We’re the type of people who can’t do something well if we don’t want it. It creates demotivation. It’s better to follow what you feel inside and try to have no regrets. As a brother and teammate, it was the same. We never had separate relationships. It was always one.
If you had to sum up last year in one word, what would it be and why?
Boo: Decent. We won the
Esports World Cup, but it’s not a Masters event, which is sad, even if it’s very hard to win. We still had strong results: an EMEA final, undefeated groups, Top 6 at
Champions. That’s difficult, and you have to be grateful for it. It wasn’t what we ultimately wanted, but it was decent.
Team Heretics at the Esports World Cup. Credit: Team Heretics/Esports World Cup
When you looked for a replacement, was ComeBack an obvious and fast choice, or did the process take time?
Boo: It wasn’t the easiest choice. We had options in theory, but some players refused because they didn’t want to relocate. We looked outside EMEA too, but it didn’t work out. From EMEA, there weren’t many options, and some players had better offers. After some time, we realized we either sign ComeBack now or wait for Ascension to end. But then we risk losing him to another team and not finding anyone afterward. So it wasn’t easy, but at some point it felt like the only option.
You mentioned ComeBack has huge potential. What made you believe in him?
Boo: I see a lot of potential in his mechanics and game sense. In theory, he can become something special, but he still needs to learn a lot. That’s why it’s exciting.
What have you done concretely to help him integrate into the roster and the system?
Boo: We try to help him as much as possible. When topics are detailed or complex,
RieNs (Enes Ecirli) and
Wo0t (Mert Alkan) translate them into Turkish so he understands the core message, not just the surface. I also help him with VOD reviews. We try to include him, make him feel at home, and make sure he feels safe to say what he likes, what he doesn’t like, and what he wants changed. It’s still a process, but there’s been a lot of improvement since we came to Berlin on January 6.
How would you describe the team’s communication and dynamic with this new roster so far?
Boo: We’re still building it. The main focus is on making sure ComeBack is comfortable and included. There’s been steady progress since we arrived in Berlin, but it’s not fully finished yet.
As the IGL, what do you want to improve or develop in your own style this year?
Boo: I want to maintain my style that I know is good, but with ComeBack, we have different tools now. It’s exciting to learn how to use them and develop a new side of my style.
What are the team’s goals for 2026?
Boo: It’s always internationals, but the main one is
Champions in Shanghai. Masters Shanghai was one of the best experiences of our lives, and we all want to go back. At the same time, we understand you can’t only aim for international; you have to focus on winning the next game first. That’s what we focus on day to day."
