Vsevolod “s-chilla” Shchurov has officially rejoined Passion UA at a pivotal moment for the team, just one day after the departure of Dmytro “jambo” Semera to fnatic. The Ukrainian squad, in need of maintaining their competitive foundation, welcomed back the 19-year-old to ensure stability within their core roster.
Shchurov had stepped away from professional play earlier this year, citing mental and physical exhaustion as reasons for his hiatus. His decision came as a surprise to many, especially given Passion UA’s strong performance at the Perfect World Shanghai Major. Despite the team’s momentum, s-chilla chose to prioritize his well-being and exited the competitive scene temporarily.
Now, with the team at a crossroads, his return offers both a morale boost and strategic necessity. Had Passion UA lost a third core player following the exit of jambo and the earlier transfer of in-game leader Rodion “fear” Smyk to fnatic, they would have risked a reset in their standing on Valve’s Regional Rankings. The loss of that three-man nucleus could have nullified the progress they made throughout the past competitive year.
This comeback is especially timely with only a little over two weeks remaining before crucial invitations are extended for the BLAST.tv Austin Major and its associated qualifiers. As it stands, Passion UA are ranked 30th in Europe — a position that puts them within reach of a coveted spot in the European Major Regional Qualifier. Preserving their standing through roster continuity is therefore vital if they are to remain in the Major conversation.
To secure that position, the team must now perform in two upcoming events: the Galaxy Battle STARTER playoffs and the closed qualifier for PGL Astana Europe. These tournaments represent their final opportunities to earn the ranking points needed before the Valve update on April 7, which will determine which teams receive invites.
However, their path forward is not without obstacles. With jambo’s exit, Passion UA are left without a dedicated AWPer. Filling this gap in their setup could present a tactical challenge, especially with high-stakes matches on the horizon.
The current lineup, following the reshuffle, consists entirely of Ukrainian players: Nikita “jackasmo” Skyba, Eduard “zeRRoFIX” Petrovskyi, Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol, Oleksii “Topa” Topchiienko, and the returning s-chilla. The team continues to operate under the guidance of coach Mikhaylo “Kane” Blagin.
s-chilla’s reappearance not only stabilizes the roster but also revives hope within the squad at a critical juncture. Whether this reunion can reignite Passion UA’s run toward the Major remains to be seen, but the stage is now set for a final push in their campaign.
