YEKINDAR steps down from calling duties at FURIA, returns role to FalleN

Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis has handed back calling duties to Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo at FURIA, stepping away from in-game leading after testing the role over recent matches.

FURIA had been exploring YEKINDAR as a caller on Anubis, Cache, and Ancient, partly to prepare for FalleN's planned retirement at the end of the year. However, YEKINDAR determined that the mental toll of calling conflicts with his current priorities as a performer.

"Credit where it's due: I'm not calling anymore, and hopefully I'm not going to be anymore in the future," YEKINDAR told interviewer James "BanKs" Banks after FURIA's victory over MIBR at StarSeries Fall. "We tried it to understand like, is this something I want to pursue? Is this something the team needs? And I came to the conclusion that this is too much cortisol, I don't want to IGL."

FalleN has resumed primary calling responsibilities on the three maps. YEKINDAR clarified that while he may offer micro-adjustments in difficult situations, FalleN handles the strategic direction. "The overall idea or something is always a lot more on FalleN, but the micro-adjustments and how to get that idea is something I can help with. But mainly FalleN," he explained.

YEKINDAR has previously expressed interest in exploring leadership later in his career, but opted to continue focusing on individual performance for now.