PARIVISION's CS2 coach Dastan Akbaev, known as 'dastan', summed up his team's showing at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 and reflected on the season as a whole. His closing remarks were published as part of the team's post-tournament coverage.
Akbaev admitted the mood was understandably downcast. 'The feelings are, of course, sad. I'm as upset as you are. No matter how far you get, losing always hurts,' he said, describing the Major result as, to some extent, the conclusion of the year's work. He recalled that the roster came together in January as a top-200 team — without a ranking or direct invites — and that even after winning their first CCT in January they did not receive VRS points. 'Step by step… we had 2%, guys, 2%. I don't know — God's help, our work — everything worked out so we made it to the Major,' he added.
On the event itself, Akbaev believes the squad could have taken more matches in the third stage and possibly even reached playoffs. He singled out Overpass as a map they could have closed in BO1s and said the team demonstrated they could fight, even if they failed to convert chances into wins. He also admitted that in the match against 3DMAX the team showed signs of burnout.
Addressing criticism from fans, Akbaev noted that he sees what people write online, including negative comments about his conduct toward players — specifically an incident with AW that some have highlighted. He defended the directness of his communication, saying it's the way he has always spoken, especially within this squad. Still, he conceded that on the third map he was extremely angry and probably should have taken more pauses. 'I was very unhappy with how we played Dust2 and Inferno, and I didn't want to pass my negativity on at that moment,' he said, acknowledging his own mistakes and reminding viewers that he is only human.
Looking ahead, Akbaev pointed to some positives: the team should receive invites to future events. He expects an invitation to IEM Kraków 2026, and possibly to PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 if some tier-1 teams decline. He also mentioned upcoming opportunities on the calendar, including ESL Pro League Season 23 in online play and BLAST events. 'A good side is getting back to tournaments from ESL and PGL,' he said.
The coach reaffirmed the squad's targets for the coming months: rest, regroup, and push into the new season with clear goals — qualify for the Major in Cologne and cement a place among the top 15–20 teams, maybe even break into the top 10. He tempered expectations, noting that winning immediately at the highest level is unlikely, but expressed hope they will beat some tier-1 teams and establish themselves.
Finally, Akbaev reflected on the nature of honest team interaction. He stressed that real team life is not always a polished picture: sometimes there is harsh criticism, obvious mistakes on utility or tactics, and visible frustration. He gave a concrete example — failing a needed smoke on Overpass at 12:10 between barrel and pillar — and said such moments naturally provoke rage. He asked fans to remember that viewers' comments affect both him and the players: 'Criticize if needed — there are flaws — but remember we all live in reality.'