Few feelings eclipse that of a reverse sweep - not least when it's off the back of the opposite occurrence last time out.
GamerLegion fell from 2-0 to 2-3 in Rio, and that heartbreak stuck with them. It was quickly dissipated here in Paris, though, as they pulled off the comeback to progress into the Legends Stage.
Michal Konkol"It feels incredible, definitely. On the first day when we were 0-2 it was not a good feeling, so being right now where we are here, it’s so rewarding" said a visibly relieved Isak. "We basically came in with solid game plans on how we wanted to approach them and how we should think when we play them and stuff like this, and I think it worked really well."
Progression, both literally and figuratively
GamerLegion were largely comfortable in the decider game - somewhat atypical of a team who'd never been to the Legends Stage. The pressure seemed to stick more to FORZE, who could only muster six CT rounds on Overpass.
Isak was a little surprised, responding "no, definitely not" when asked if he expected it to be as comfortable as it turned out. "FORZE are an extremely dangerous LAN team I would say, because they mix it up so much, they’re not afraid to mix it up, so they’re always a hard opponent."
Though both maps came relatively close - 16-12 and 16-13 respectively - it felt like GL would get it over the line on both. Overpass was a tad cleaner, but a 30-bomb from the wunderkind leader siuhy took them over the line on Inferno.
Stephanie Lindgren"He’s been feeling a little bit under the weather since day one, but you cannot feel it when you play with him because he’s just providing everything you ask from him."
What we wouldn't give to be half as good as an under-the-weather siuhy, while healthy.
On siuhy, Isak had some very kind words to say about his leader, explaining that he "could definitely lead a tier one team" and calling him a "very good leader".
"He’s a very structured, good leader who hypes everyone up, but everyone still has like a free role but still very structured."
The final nail in the FORZE coffin, and indeed the lynchpin moment for GamerLegion, was a huge half-buy ace from the interviewee, Isak, who agreed with us that it was the moment in which they knew they'd won the game.
Michal Konkol"We just retook banana on a low buy and we just rushed into B, and then I think it was a 1v3? I don’t know, i just tried to trade my teammate and I got two kills there in ruins, and then for the last one he gave away his position so I just played to like, surprise him and surprise peek him."
Humble, as ever.
GamerLegion were a huge surprise package last time out in Rio, but by now everyone knew who they were; they had to go one further to really surprise anyone, which is exactly what they did.
GL will be in the Legends Stage for the first time, beginning on Saturday (13th May).
"We’re all really excited. It's going to be an, obviously new, experience for some of us - I think acoR has played in one before - but it’s going to be a really fun one and we’re going to take every game one step at a time and just enjoy our time here."