PashaBMW: "I still believe I can play at the top level"

Pavel "⁠PashaBMW⁠" Tishchenko has not played an official match since November 2024, but the seven-time MVP's name is back in the headlines this week. On Monday, HLTV reported that he was in talks with two organizations about a return, and this morning Volna confirmed that they are negotiating with their former star.

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Volna confirm talks with PashaBMW

We caught up with the 24-year-old to talk about the last two years, the talks with Volna, and why he believes he can still compete at the level he left.

It has been almost two years since your last official match. What has that time been like?

The first months were the most difficult. When you leave a team in December, you think that in one or two months you will find something, and then you understand that it doesn't work like this anymore. After that I changed my approach. I stopped waiting for calls and just worked on my game every day, like I was still in a team.

Volna confirmed this morning that you are in talks. What can you say about it?

Only that we are talking, and that I'm happy about it. I know the organization, I know the players, and we had our best moments together. But there are still things to agree on, so I don't want to say more before everything is clear.

Some people were surprised that Volna is an option, considering they let you go in 2024.

I understand why people think like this, but for me it was never personal. They wanted to try something with the young players, and it was their decision. We stayed in contact the whole time. If something is right for both sides, I don't see a problem to come back.

How have you kept yourself sharp?

FACEIT every day, a lot of demos, and in the last months I started to practice with a mix at a bootcamp, five players, a normal schedule. It's not the same as official matches, but it helps a lot with communication and with the rhythm. I think individually I am at the same level as in 2024, maybe even better in some situations.

PashaBMW has been practicing with a mix at a bootcamp in recent weeks (Photo credit: PashaBMW)

The game has changed a lot since November 2024. What is the biggest difference you notice?

The pace. Teams play much faster now, there are less default rounds and more coordinated executes. Utility is also used differently. When I watch matches, I see a lot of things that I would do differently from how I played two years ago, so I have to adapt as well.

HLTV introduced Rating 3.0 last year. Did you check your numbers?

Of course, I think every player did. It was interesting, because the new rating shows more what you do for the round, not only kills. My numbers stayed good, so I'm happy. But I don't think about rating too much, the important thing is if the team wins.

What would be a realistic goal for your first months back?

To play official matches again, first of all. I know that after two years the first tournaments will not be easy, and that the team will need time. But I don't want to come back only to play. I want to win tournaments, and I want to play on LAN again.

Last question. Do you still believe you can play at the top level?

Yes. I still believe I can play at the top level, otherwise I would not be doing this. I was close to it in 2020 with Virtus.pro and in 2024 with Volna, and I know what I need to do to get there. Now I just need the chance.