Heroic's Jabbi happy with tough 1st matchup: "We have a good read on FaZe"
Heroic is one of the favourites to go all the way at the BLAST.tv Paris Major. But the road to the playoffs is starting hot, as Heroic is thrown straight into the fire in a debut match against FaZe.
However, Heroic's talented teenage rifler Jabbi thinks the team has a good read on the world's number #5.
"It's fine, we think we have a good read on them. They're a good team but so are we, it will most likely be a good match. FaZe haven't been looking so strong lately, they have probably been a bit burned out with the schedule and travelling everywhere," Jabbi told BLAST.tv ahead of the opening match of the Legends Stage.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenA tough start
Jabbi joined about a year ago, and things wasn't going as well for the team in the beginning, as "I had to get used to all the new things," Jabbi told BLAST.tv.
"There were a lot of things we had to find out and work out at the start, like there usually is when a roster adds a new player. I'd chalk any rough beginnings up to that," Jabbi said.
The team fell short at various tournaments, but eventually - in November, the team managed to lift the trophy at BLAST Premier: Fall Finals 2022.
Photo: Michal KonkolSince then the team has experienced an upwards trajectory and is now placed first on HLTV's World Ranking. The recipe? Adjusting and being first-movers:
"We keep adjusting to all the new things that are coming in game, we are moving first on a lot of things and keep grinding to be kept up with the meta, that's a really big thing. All the things we do outside the game as a team might also play a big part in why we're so consistent," Jabbi said.
Burnout & playing under cadiaN
But the many tournaments the team has played in the last year come with a price.
The team has been under the weather due to the tight schedule and therefore didn't bootcamp before the Paris Major.
Photo: Michal KonkolIs burnout something you're experiencing?
Jabbi: It is. We didn't do a bootcamp here before this Major, so we could chill a bit whilst we grind at home. Obviously, it's a really tough schedule for all players now.
What's it like playing under cadiaN as a leader since he brings such noise and energy?
Jabbi: I think he's a great captain, there are a lot of things you don't see inside the team where he does really well. He's great at taking care of everyone and he's just a really good person and leader, it's great to play with him.
A chance at lifting the trophy
Heroic ended second at the latest CSGO Major after a 0-2 loss in Rio. The road to the Grand Final in Paris is a long one, but Jabbi feels the team is "confident" and says "it's a good thing to get started with a tough matchup."
"It would mean a lot for us to win the Major. It's the last one in CS:GO, so it's history. I think we grinded to have a chance partly for that reason," Jabbi said.
