“We can face anyone, we can beat anyone” – HeavyGod on G2’s IEM Cologne Major playoff chances

Bruno Sobieraj Published June 18, 2026

After falling short in the 2-2 game at the Major, G2 turned the tides this time around, beating NAVI and securing themselves a spot in the LANXESS Arena for the IEM Cologne 2026 Major playoffs.

Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko’s heroics were imperative to G2’s success in that match. We had the chance to speak to the anchor on media day before the playoffs.

Congratulations on making the playoffs. It seemed like you were powering up throughout the tournament and past Stage 3. Would you say that was the case in that you felt better with each game?

I think in general as a team we are improving each game, each round, each second of the round as well, because in the end it comes to communication, reactions as a team, trusting each other as well, trusting the setups we have, don’t over-move.

I really think from Stage 2 till the last game yesterday we improved a lot, in a lot of small aspects in the game, a lot of mini-details. We can see that we can win 3v5s, we can lose 5v3s, we can lose 4v1s, so this is the game. We just need to trust the round and build up on it.

In the last Major you lost the 2-2 game to Falcons. This time you were also against a tough opponent but came out on top. How did it feel?

I mean, obviously it’s a really good feeling. Of course we wanted to win, we wanted to qualify, we did it, but the job is not done. In general, I know [the] opponents are tough, it doesn’t matter who you play in Stage 3, because the pressure is on both sides. Everyone wants to win, so you just got [to] do your best and it doesn’t matter who you face.

Does this Major feel different to you because it’s Cologne?

For me personally, I don’t know, to be honest. I didn’t play so many Majors, maybe four or something like this, so I just treat Major as Major. I heard only good stuff about Cologne, LANXESS Arena obviously, and I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it.

HeavyGod is happy with huNter’s T-side calling. Image credit: © StarLadder

For G2, CT sides are your strong point, mainly. Do you think your T sides are at the level to challenge Spirit and Vitality in the playoffs?

I think both our sides are really good, sometimes you can see that we are missing smokes or something like this, or in the end it comes again, as everyone says, in the many details. So, you just got [to] fix the small details and follow the plan that you have, don’t do it in between. I think we can face anyone, we can beat anyone, we just need to do our best and give our best to beat them.

You were the best player yesterday in the game. Do you feel like you have to be the one stepping up to get the team over the line in these tough games?

In the end it’s a team game, it’s not an individual game, of course someone can be a bit better every day, but it doesn’t mean that they won the game only because of him, you need to step up as a team, because without a team you cannot win alone, you need the team to be around you.

I don’t feel like it, I feel like the team is just trusting me and giving the best to support me and I give the best to support them, so this is how I see it.

Are you excited for the quarter-final in-game trophy in your inventory?

Of course I’m excited, a lot of pro players are laughing at me that I don’t have it, so I finally have it and I’m happy, of course I’m happy, but I don’t think about it right now, the job is not done, I still want the gold one, for me it’s whatever.

Read also: “Yes, obviously” – Aurora Wicadia on if he’s happy with the IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoff bracket

Featured image credit: © PGL