Karmine Corp’s SUYGETSU Reflects on VCT EMEA Kickoff 2026 and Team Potential
The French esports organisation Karmine Corp has been one of the most watched teams in the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA 2026 Kickoff, and veteran player Dmitrii “SUYGETSU” Iliushin recently spoke about the team’s renewed journey and future ambitions. Despite early setbacks in the event, SUYGETSU remains upbeat about the squad’s strength and long-term prospects.
A New Roster, Fresh Energy
Ahead of the 2026 season, Karmine Corp undertook a major roster rebuild, keeping SUYGETSU and team mate Hazem “avez” Khaled from the previous year while adding three new players: VCT veteran Bogdan “Sheydos” Naumov, duel-specialist Burak “LêwN” Alkan, and Pacific region import Dastan “dos9” Zhumagali.
SUYGETSU explained that the new line-up has developed a positive team environment from the start, with mutual respect among teammates contributing to cohesion both in practice and competition.
Developing Team Leadership
One of the key changes has been appointing Sheydos as the team’s new in-game leader (IGL), following the departure of Matias “Saadhak” Delipetro after the 2025 season. According to SUYGETSU, Sheydos brings a strong work ethic and leadership mindset, and while his approach is still evolving, the team expects his calling style to strengthen with experience.
Playing With Confidence in a New Meta
Karmine Corp has been known for embracing creative agent line-ups, and this season was no different. While the team has moved away from some previous strategies, it experimented with combinations such as Phoenix and Yoru in key maps like Haven and Breeze. SUYGETSU himself has been impactful on the controller agent Astra, a role he prepared for through extensive practice.
Early Challenges and Building Experience
At the VCT EMEA Kickoff 2026, Karmine Corp faced strong competition, including losses to established teams such as Natus Vincere and Team Liquid. However, the tournament’s triple-elimination format still offers the team a chance to advance via the Lower Bracket, where SUYGETSU views additional matches not as pressure, but as valuable experience for both new and returning players.
He highlighted that for newer members, gaining stage experience — particularly for someone like Sheydos navigating his first months as an IGL — can be crucial for long-term development.
Optimism for the Road Ahead
Despite a difficult start, SUYGETSU remains confident about Karmine Corp’s potential as the season unfolds. He emphasised that the team’s positive atmosphere, combined with solid individual skill and collective effort, offers a foundation for growth.
With further matches scheduled in the VCT EMEA Kickoff and opportunities to refine coordination and strategy, Karmine Corp aims to rise through the competition and make its mark as the season progresses.