Aurora secured a spot in the IEM Cologne Major semi-finals after defeating BetBoom 2-0. This achievement marks the deepest tournament run for a Turkish-majority roster at a Counter-Strike Major. The team now awaits the winner of the quarter-final match between 9z and FURIA.
Unwavering belief in the roster
Following the victory, İsmailсan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş addressed the team’s mindset and ambitions for the remainder of the event. The veteran player made it clear that Aurora is not simply satisfied with a deep playoff appearance but is actively targeting the championship.
I think we can win, actually. We believe that we can win,” XANTARES stated. “Coming into the tournament, we said that we wanted to win it, and now everyone still believes. I don’t feel that a single one of us is doubting it; everyone is believing.
Managing a persistent hand injury
Despite his strong performance on the server, XANTARES has been dealing with a lingering physical issue. He provided an update on his hand, confirming that while the pain is currently under control through physical therapy during the event, a permanent medical solution is planned for the upcoming off-season.
We do massages all the time to make it a little bit better,” XANTARES explained. “There is not so much pain, but after the vacation, maybe I can go for the operation. I need to fix it.
You can see the interview with XANTARES in the video below.
