GamerLegion were one of the surprise teams of the IEM Rio Major. After eliminating G2 from the RMR, they would sadly fall 2-3 in the Challengers Stage in Brazil. In Paris, however, GamerLegion are looking to go one step further and make the Legends stage.
No longer a surprise package, IGL siuhy believes that the team has done enough to make teams concerned about facing them. “I think we've shown were capable of fighting against bigger teams,” siuhy told BLAST.tv.
Tier-one teams are shaky
Photo: Michal KonkolIt’s been a long time coming though that tier one teams have developed concerns when facing tier two. “Tier one teams are a lot more scared of the tier two scene,” siuhy said.
“Now that tier two teams have started performing, tier one are a bit more shaky, maybe they're scared someone will take their place.”
Whether that will work out in their favour is yet to be seen, although siuhy thinks it’s something that tier two can “definitely use to their advantage.”
Why does siuhy think this is? Generally, tier two has caught up in terms of “aim, confidence, and the tactical side of things.” Where that would previously have been the deciding factor in games between tier one and two, now it instead comes down to "little details; whether it's the money situation or the little extra experience tier one has, one little piece of information,” he said.
Focus is on the team
Photo: Michal KonkolSiuhy is a player who seems destined for tier one.
After rising to prominence in a dominant MOUZ NXT team, his move to GamerLegion was perhaps not what was expected for him. However, it is a move that has worked out, as he now plays his second successive Major under their banner. When asked whether tier one is his destiny, he had this to say:
“I never look at it that way. I don't look at the future, I don't really set goals like that. I just focus on myself and make sure I progress individually and for the team. The main goal is to develop how mature I am and how I help the team out, what I bring to the team and keep working on that.”
Many people would expect that being the IGL despite being so young is a disadvantage, but siuhy is keen to stress “that's not the case with this team” he’s well aware that in other teams, “maybe players wouldn’t trust you or show the respect needed,” but added “In this team my teammates trust me and they always support and trust in what I do, they give 100% no matter what I say,” he said.
acoR comes with confidence
Photo: Michal KonkolBLAST.tv also got to speak to the team’s AWPer, acoR. A Dane who is the only member of this team to have thus far gained experience in tier one, he says they come into the Major with “a lot of confidence," as he describes it. Part of that confidence comes from siuhy, an IGL he says is “very adaptive and always coming up with new things.”
One of the stars of the team, acoR was the key player when GamerLegion knocked out G2 in the Rio RMR. With G2 also being in the Challengers Stage, we asked acoR whether he would like the opportunity to play them again.
“Yeah, I don't think I would mind playing G2 again. I still think they have some kind of PTSD from meeting us last time and the game could still be in their mind so I definitely wouldn't mind playing G2 again,” acoR said.
Before they will have a potential chance of facing G2, however, they will first have to play Complexity in round one of the Challengers Stage swiss system. “It won't be easy.” siuhy says, adding “We’re expecting a tough game.” acoR, on the other hand, he offers a different perspective. With a swagger found only in Danish players, he says “I think it's a good matchup for us. We're expecting a win on this one.”
Catch all the action on BLAST.tv
Set to start at 1pm CEST, you can watch GamerLegion’s opening game against Complexity on BLAST.tv. That’s not all though, every game is available for free in 4K and you’ll also be able to find exclusive news and interviews covering the final Major of CS:GO.