Passion UA, a Ukrainian CS2 team founded by Oleksandr Zinchenko in August 2023, has experienced a meteoric rise in professional Counter-Strike. The team climbed from 195th place in October 2023 to 28th place in early 2024, showcasing remarkable progress in just a few months.

The roster features five Ukrainian players, with four members under 20 years old. The eldest, Rodyon "fear" Smyk (24), brings valuable experience from his time with NAVI Junior. This youth-driven lineup has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in their matches.

In 2024, Passion UA secured four C-tier tournament victories, including the European Pro League and Real Game Cup 2024. These achievements strengthened team morale and demonstrated their growing competitive potential.

The team's defining moment came during the Shanghai Major RMR qualifiers, where they faced elite competition:

• Defeated Virtus.pro 16-14
• Beat Team Spirit 13-11
• Lost to BIG 1-2
• Lost to HEROIC 1-2
• Defeated Astralis 2-0 (13-9 on Inferno, 13-11 on Ancient)

This qualification for the Shanghai Major marks Passion UA's first major tournament appearance, representing a significant milestone for the young organization. Their success demonstrates the emerging talent in the Ukrainian CS2 scene and the potential of youth-focused rosters in professional esports.

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