While Monte secured a spot in the ESL Pro League Season 19 playoffs with an important win over FURIA, the team faces unique off-field challenges. Three key members of the team, including players Sergey "DemQQ" Demchenko, Vladimir "Woro2k" Veletnyuk, and coach Sergey "lmbt" Bezhanov, are under severe travel restrictions, due to the war.
Despite the upcoming important match against FaZe, the team members are forced to return to Ukraine due to the entry/exit policy of the country. As a result, they have to obtain special travel permits, which need to be regularly renewed by returning to Ukraine and registering at the border.
Monte Denys Yashniev, the organization's director of eSports, explained the complexity of these travel issues. DemQQ, Woro2k and lmbt's current permits expired today, and to renew them they need to return to Ukraine and re-cross the border, which they must do before the match with FaZe. Despite these difficulties, the team remains committed and the players are expected to arrive in Malta from Poland in time for the game.
This logistical hurdle illustrates the wider impact of geopolitical tensions on cybersport, where players must balance professional commitments with national obligations. Monte's situation emphasizes the resilience and dedication of team members who strive to compete at the highest level while adhering to their country's wartime rules.
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