Ahead of Stage 1, FURIA koalanoob opened up about his international debut, silencing doubts, and the importance of family support.
GianFranco “koalanoob” Potestio joined FURIA for the 2026 season, and since then, the Brazilian side has rediscovered its confidence in VCT Americas 2026. After winning Kickoff, FURIA have gone from underdogs to one of the most feared teams in the region.
In an interview with esports.gg, koalanoob reflected on his international debut, evolving meta changes, proving himself to others, team synergy, and how family support has helped shape his mindset and bring out the best in him.
FURIA koalanoob on his international debut
The first international experience is always a special moment in the player’s career, and for koalanoob, it was insanely fun. However, it was still disappointing. “It was the best experience ever, playing on the stage and being in Chile, but it was disappointing,” he said. “I don’t care if we lose, but I didn’t like the way we lost. There are no excuses.“
The player pointed to several factors behind the disappointing results, including a 2–12 record in pistol rounds and having just four days of practice ahead of the A-limit. However, he believes the biggest issue was failing to carry over the energy and confidence from Kickoff to the international stage.
“In Santiago, I feel like we kind of became robots,” koalanoob said. “We focused more on covering their weaknesses than playing to our strengths, and that’s what helped us win Kickoff. We didn’t worry about who we were facing or anti-strats; we just played our game and adapted. That’s what makes us really good.”
As for the most recent meta changes, koalanoob does not see Miks as a viable option, but some teams could use him as a secondary controller. At the same time, the agent won’t be as impactful as other controllers such as Brimstone or Omen. “I think they should buff him a little bit and nerf on other agents,” he added.
Proving himself in Tier 1
For more than four years, koalanoob has tried to climb his way into Tier 1, and now that he is finally there, he believes he has proved his value during Kickoff. “It is just one tournament, I know, but I think I was able to play the game I wanted to, and I know what I’m capable of,” he commented. “I’ll be a beast of a player. I’m comfortable, I’m doing my thing, and I’ll always get value, even if it’s not from kills.“
As a player, koalanoob describes himself as consistent and reliable. He believes being in an environment where teammates fully trust him, giving him the freedom to showcase his talent while also supporting him, has been key to reaching the top.
“I get the same vibe on this team, where there’s a lot of trust in me, and I can just do my own thing,” he said. “I don’t really think about having to prove anything to people anymore. All I need to do is maintain the level I expect of myself and keep doing my best in my career.”
Where team chemistry meets strong leadership
As for synergy, this iteration has big personalities and different views, but for koalanoob, everyone is striving to be on the same page. “We’re figuring out how to put all of our strengths together, which is nice. I think we just need to figure out this meta and see what works for us. I think everything else should click in once we figure that out,” he added.
Under Ian “shaW” Jardim’s guidance, koalanoob praised his leadership and mentality, describing him as “a good coach, a very good person, and a good friend.” “He makes sure people are okay mentally,” he said. “He also gives us a lot of freedom to feel comfortable doing our stuff and build on top of that, which is great for a coach. I think that’s why everybody is pretty comfortable.”
Family first
Behind every successful player is a strong support system, and for koalanoob, that foundation is his family. During his time off, he makes it a priority to visit his wife and daughter, who have always supported his journey. “The first few days after Santiago weren’t great because I came home sick and ended up getting them sick too,” he said. “But aside from that, it’s always special to come back home after a tournament.”
With six scrims per day and eight more hours for practices, coming back home always feels good. “I’m grinding super hard, and sometimes it gets draining, especially when you play the matches, and you’re always stressed,” he explained. “Having a nice mental reset is very important, and my fiancé is the best at helping me calm down. Every time I come back, my daughter does crazy new stuff. It makes me so happy, and I return with a clearer mind.”
While the little one still does not understand her dad’s job, she always watches the matches. “Hopefully, they will be able to come for Split 1 because that would be awesome,” FURIA koalanoob commented with a big smile on his face.
FURIA returns to action in VCT Americas 2026: Stage 1 on April 12, where they are set to face NRG. Their schedule also features matchups against Evil Geniuses, KRÜ Esports, Sentinels, and 100 Thieves.