XTQZZZ on if the Vitality era is over: "I don't care"
Vitality may have gone on another incredible winning streak to kick off 2026, but they’re far from that form after a string of disappointing results going all the way back to IEM Atlanta.
The path to get back to success won’t be easy either, with Vitality currently playing their first of two tournaments with jL as a stand-in and making it to the BLAST Open Porto playoffs after a solid lower bracket run that saw them beat 9z, Legacy, and FUT.
At the event, we sat down with XTQZZZ to discuss jL, the shape of the team when mezii returns, and the end of the Vitality era.
“jL is crazy”
Maybe after the first game, a lot of people didn't expect you to be here at the playoffs, but you are, so how are you feeling?
Of course, happy, especially after the first game. We made a lot of mistakes. We were not in shape as a team, individually, whatever you want. Then we had some talks.
We also had this, I think, for the first time this season, a good opportunity, because it was one day official, one day off. So we have time to practice more with jL, fixing our mistakes, improving our playbook and the map pool. Because, let's be honest, before the tournament we had, I think, three practices with him. So it was tough; I'm happy, because I think the lower bracket was good: playing 9z, Legacy and FUT. Yeah, happy.
With that limited practice time, did you have expectations to make playoffs at this event, or was it more relaxed than that?
No, no, no, not relaxed, because right now we are in trouble with the VRS, so we wanted playoffs at least. So I would say the first goal is done.
Now, do we have expectations? Even though we play with a stand-in, we still want to improve, at least as a team: how we play together, etc.
So far this season, either we play really well or really badly; we don't have a B game, a C game, etc. So that's the goal right now. We know we can still do some damage in the playoffs, and we will see game by game.
And having jL on the team, then: what has he brought into the unit that's different to mezii?
First of all, he's crazy. He's crazy. He's really a social guy. He has a really good mood. He wants to prove he can be a good player for any team. And I'm really proud of him, because I think we ask a lot, especially during practice. Of course, sometimes it's a bit lost in the game, even though we try to anticipate everything before the game. It's not a second voice, because mezii can bring many ideas or can help during the mid-round. He's different, he can understand what he has to do, but it's not like a co-caller or anything.
He was talking in an interview about all the nades he had to learn. Has he successfully learned them all now?
[laughs] Yes, I would say maybe 90%. He just forgot maybe one or two nades — it doesn't matter. I think he had a lot of expectations for Nuke, because he has to throw lots of smokes in different line-ups, etc. But he did a really good job.
You've got that other tournament with him in the next month. What's the practice schedule going to be like between now and then? You do have an event or two with both apEX and mezii, and then you've got that one with jL. How’s your schedule looking in terms of practice for that one?
We have one month left. So after EPL, we have 10 days, so we're going to practice one week with him. Before, we will have some talks about how we play positions, because he said that the apEX spot is not easy, and also it's not his main strength to be the main rotator.
So we're going to start probably after StarLadder, so in two weeks, to think about how we want to play on CT side. And on T side, of course, it's going to be more on Will, on the team, but Will, the team, and the staff behind. So it's not completely clear 100%. The only thing we are sure of: we will have more time this time to practice.
I assumed that when mezii came back, he would go into apEX's spots. Is that maybe not guaranteed?
No, no, no, because as I said, especially on T, you know, he's in the middle. On CT, he takes a lot of space, calls a lot mid-round: how we need to react as a team, etc. It's not, as I said, the biggest strength of jL. So for me, it's pretty clear we have to adapt. Probably not on every map, but we have to.
I interviewed flameZ last week; I spoke to him about all the fans saying the Vitality era is over. What’s your take on it?
I don't know, actually; it's a bit tough as a coach to say that. You know, I was never focused on the era or whatever, even when we won everything.
We don't have any discussion about our era being over; we are just thinking right now that we are in a tough situation.
We had some moments last year, twice. It's a bit different: it was still final, semi-final, etc. Now it's two or three quarter-finals in a row. So we are just focused on how we can improve, how we can bring the confidence back, because I think it's also the main issue. When you lose confidence, basically you think more about what you have to do individually and not as a team, you overthink everything. So for me, I don't have an answer about the era, maybe it's over or not. I don't care.
