With BLAST Premier World Final 2024 now right around the corner, Vitality will be looking to defend their crown with the assistance of JACKZ as mezii will be absent from the event.
In the run up to the event, we spoke to ZywOo to get his thoughts on playing with JACKZ, the importance of World Final ahead of the Major, and Vitality's form since their historic win at IEM Cologne 2024.
You'll be heading to Singapore shortly for BLAST Premier World Final, how are you feeling about the event?
I'm feeling good, especially about going to Singapore. It'll be the first time any of us and for pro players to go there, it'll be interesting to go there and see the city, but also to play there.
It's good to change a bit in terms of the areas we play in, not only Copenhagen or Malta but doing something else. It'll be a new energy, so it's exciting.
With it being the last event before the Major cycle begins, does that change how you're approaching it or the importance of winning it?
Obviously, playing this tournament before the RMRs means that we need to play our best already to see our maximum level and how we are.
We're going to go through the Major instantly after World Final, so it's going to be a checkpoint for us to see what we need to improve and what mistakes we are making. It's going to be make Singapore more important because of how quick the RMR is after it.
What's the plan for the time between World Final and the RMRs? Will you stay in Asia to reduce travel and get practice against European teams who may also be there?
We'll go back to Europe, we have a little bit of time to stay at home then and for the Major we'll already be spending one month in China so it'll be important to have some good rest before that with friends and family.
You'll be playing World Final with JACKZ instead of mezii, how does that change how you approach the event and how are you feeling about playing with him?
We've played with him already at a Pro League and it's always good to play with him. He brings a great energy to the team, his personality is very nice to play with.
But also, for us, it doesn't matter if it's JACKZ or mezii, it's more important that we play more together and play our best as a team.
We still need to improve playing more as a team than individually.
You're the reigning champions, does having the stand-in affect your expectations and hopes of retaining the crown?
I won't say we have less pressure, but we have less expectations to win the event. JACKZ is still a good player and we can still beat big teams. We're going to play our best regardless.
You're in the running to be named as the best player in the world for a fourth year, what would it mean to you to be awarded that title once again?
I'd be the first to have four awards, but at the same time, it doesn't really matter for me. I'm not playing to be top one again, it's a hard year for Vitality and we need to win some high notes in Singapore and the Major, so, before that I'm not focused on the individual side.
I'm just focused on what I need to bring to tournaments as a team, so although I would be happy to win it, I'm more focused on tournaments.
If you are to win your fourth, do you think you should be called the GOAT?
Maybe yes, maybe not. For me, if people call me that it means something, but it doesn't really matter. I'm in my bubble and I don't really listen to what other people say.
I'm just me, enjoying playing the game and enjoying the life, so GOAT or not, I will be the same.
Throughout the year we've asked players what they think about Majors now being at the end of seasons when players typically complain about burnout at those times, now that we're close to it, how are you feeling about it?
I actually think it's good. In Vitality we have a good schedule that gives us a lot of rest, and it's really important to have that in order to be consistent across the year and always keep your focus.
I don't think that we're tired or unfocused because it's near the end of the year. We have the same energy that we have had all year.
Let's talk about the teams form since Cologne, you've had some good placings but there's a couple of losses to underdogs, how are you feeling about your form as a team?
I think we can beat anyone if we're the Vitality in good form, we're not scared about anyone. But at the same time, we need to work more as a team and play more as a team.
Every time we start a tournament we're playing really well, but it's when we get to playoffs and the pressure games begin that we make more mistakes and where we aren't ready to fight together.
That's the issue, and that's what we need to improve.
Why do you think you're struggling in those types of games?
I think that sometimes it's just small issues and mistakes like overpeeking or not listening enough, maybe it's just the pressure, we just need to improve on those things. But that's also the most difficult part.
With those losses in mind, HEROIC at IEM Rio and Eternal Fire at ESL Pro League, they're teams that you'd consider to be a level below Vitality, but do you think the lines between those levels are blurred more than before?
It's really tough, if you're not playing 100% in every game you can lose to anyone. You can lose to Eternal Fire, HEROIC, M80, all the upcoming teams.
Whenever you make a small mistake, that what those teams take and that's where we lose important rounds and lose the games because of it.
On an individual basis, everyone can shoot, everyone is ready to fight. It doesn't matter if a team is S tier or A tier, everyone can shoot. There are a lot of good players.
We just need to improve the team part because that's what we're normally better at and then we can be more ready against these lower teams.
Is it also a case of CS2 and the economy and MR12?
It could be, but we also see a lot of comebacks in the game. I think there's a good balance.
I won't say that MR12 is easier for them, maybe it helps, but I don't really know if it changed that much. You need to be more focused because one important round can make you lose the game, so it's difficult.
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