NiKo: "2023 was the best year of my career"

One of the greatest players of all time, NiKo experienced an incredible 2023 with wins at both IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne.

At World Final 2023, we sat down with NiKo to discuss his year, playing with nexa, and whether or not PGL Copenhagen will be his time to claim that elusive first Major win.

Interview with NiKo

We're now at the end of 2023, how are you looking back at the year?

It's been a long year, but I would say it's been a pretty successful one. Winning Katowice and Cologne was a huge thing for G2, for the players, so overall I would say it's been a satisfying year.

I think we could've done better at some events, especially the Major, we could've had a couple more deep runs but it is what it is. We are looking forward to doing better next year.

Would you say it's been the best year of your career?

If you look at the events we've won, then those are the two most significant events, so in that way, yes, but I have had years where I won more trophies within a year. But those two trophies, I would call it the best year.

You're now playing with nexa again, is it nice to have your old teammate back?

Yeah, it's cool. We know what he brings to the table and that's why we brought him in. There are some things that we were lacking that we can see he can help us with, that being communication and teamplay. It's nice to have him around, he's a super cool guy and I think he can also do much better when he's not an IGL, it'll be cool to see him develop as just a player, not an IGL.

Photo: Michal Konkol

When you say he can do much better without IGLing, does that mean you have no issue about a potential firepower issue?

No, I don't think so. I think nexa has pretty good firepower, he was always a guy that could pop off in games and win them by himself, but I think overall, if he doesn't have to IGL he can work even more on his individual level so that's something we are looking to help him with as well. We believe in him as a player, and maybe he isn't as flashy as jks, but he can still put up good numbers and I'm not worried.

You've had some experience IGLing in the past, what's it like doing the transition from IGL to player?

It's never easy to go from being an IGL to a player because you're used to talking all the time, you're used to thinking about what to call and what to do in the next round. I had a talk with him the other day where he said it's hard because he's thinking too much when HooXi calls something, he's not doubting it but he's thinking about the reason behind it and that can be very difficult, but it just takes time to remove the habit. You just have to wait and work it out. Overall, it shouldn't be too big of an issue, actually, I think it can help you that you've developed yourself as an IGL because you understand the game more and it can help you read the game even better.

You almost left the team recently, how close did you get to the move and why did you stay?

It was a pretty close call in the end. The biggest reason I decided to stay is because I wanted to win more and I see myself being more successful here in G2 than in Falcons and that is the biggest reason why I decided to stay.

Photo: Stephanie Lindgren

In terms of the other change that's happening in the team, how are you feeling about TaZ coming in?

I have a pretty good feeling about it, especially now we've already had him around the team a bit. I got to talk to him about how he sees the game and the first feeling is really good. There's no doubt that his game understanding is really good, he has been an IGL forever and he has huge experience. I think he just needs to work on developing himself as a coach, it's his first time so he just needs to work very hard and have the will, he has all the tools so it's up to him. It looks promising.

We spoke to m0NESY and he said his big goal is to win a Major specifically with you, how does it make you feel that he looks up to you in such a way?

That's our goal together, not just me and him, we want to win a Major with this team. It's super cool to have him around and he's been a cool kid ever since he joined, he shares a lot of good energy around him and I'm really happy to have him next to me when we play. He pushes me to work more, he plays a lot and that makes me want to play more as well. He's a super nice kid and he always puts the team first, he's always thinking about the others.

Do you think Copenhagen might finally be the time you get that Major?

I always try to not think about the specific Major, but every Major is always the same goal. We always try to work our ass off to be the best prepared for the Major and the same goes for the next one. At this moment I can't say that's the one, we aren't the best team in the world right now, but we just have to keep grinding and we have a lot of time now to develop the team and especially with TaZ, he will have enough time to find his place by then and we'll see. Time will tell, but we'll do our best in order to be ready to lift the trophy.