With Astralis failing to make IEM Rio 2022 in the wake of the controversy that saw Kristian “k0nfig” Wienecke depart the team, qualification for the BLAST.tv Paris Major means more than it ever has to the Danish team.
“The biggest tournament of the year is always important - and missing out on the last one just makes us more hungry to make it this time,” Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth said to BLAST.tv.
“Not making it to the last Major meant it was the first Major I missed out on,” he continued, emphasizing what a personal disappointment it must have been, made even worse by the fact that his one-time teammate Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen is likely to see out CS:GO as the only player to appear at every Major.
Still, disappointment often leads to the greatest triumphs.
Before their 2017 Major win in Atlanta, many fans of the game saw the team as one of the game’s biggest chokers, but what does Xyp9x think of the current lineups' chances at making Paris?
“We have a new and good lineup now, and if we manage to play our own game, that will be enough to qualify from the RMR. We can only lose to ourselves”.
In Counter-Strike, stability breeds confidence, and after a hectic second half of 2022, stability was of utmost importance to the Danes if they are to regain their spot as one of the world’s elite squadrons, “this time around we are way more prepared, structured and confident”
What then does Xyp9x think of the return of their talismanic AWPer Nicolai “device” Reedtz? Once in contention for the title of the best player in the world, device’s career took a nosedive since his initial departure from Astralis in 2021.
Now back in the server again, it’s clear his presence brings an element that was missing from the team last year,
“Adding device has been really great for our team. Not only for the teams performance inside the server, also the qualities he brings to the team dynamic outside the server.”
Of course, device isn’t the teams only star. He may have his detractors for his T side play style, but no one is capable of criticising Benjamin “blameF” Bremmer’s CT side ability. A monstrous force in defence, blameF is a rock for Denmark’s favorite Counter-Strike outfit.
However, it could easily be said that more responsibility to perform is now placed on the young shoulders of Christian “Buzz” Andersen.
While playing at an RMR in one of your first tier one events is nothing short of a baptism of fire, but it’s one Xyp9x thinks will aid the youngster
“Of course, playing in the biggest tournament of the year will always be good development for newer players.”
That’s not to say he doesn’t already have a lot of faith in his inexperienced teammate, he continued:
“I feel like Buzz already developed so much with his time in Astralis and keep on developing.”
With two of the biggest names in Danish Counter-Strike history in his corner, the future of Buzz seems promising.
With Astralis set to play in the European RMR B, stick around at BLAST.tv for all coverage and news surrounding the event.
RMR B will take place on the 11th of April.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Register your BLAST.tv account and join the BLAST community for Spring Groups and beyond
Play Counter-Strikle
Test your CS knowledge daily with the Counter-Strikle Quiz. See how well you really know the pro scene!
BLAST ApS., Hauser Plads 1, 3., 1127 Copenhagen