Rue: "I’ve learned to stay calm and focused every second of the game"
Team Spirit have been in decent form recently, finishing second in the last three tournaments and showing steady growth amid player changes, albeit temporarily, and a new coach on the block.
We caught up with Aleksandr "rue" Filin for a quick interview as Team Spirit heads into BLAST SLAM VI Malta.
Team Spirit has finished second in the last few tournaments, especially against Team Yandex in the DreamLeague Season 27 finals. Did you expect to lose, considering your good form?
No, we didn’t expect to lose. We always go into a final aiming to win.
So what went wrong in that final against Team Yandex?
We made some bad decisions in the draft and didn’t play as per our game plan. Team Yandex played very well at the same time, so full credit to them.
Did you underestimate them or get overconfident?
No, I don’t think we were overconfident. Like us, they also reached the grand finals, so they’re obviously a strong team. We prepared seriously, but things just didn’t work out, and we lost.
What challenges do you think Team Spirit faced in that final?
We weren’t prepared enough, and our overall level of play wasn’t good enough. We could have drafted better and played the map better. We fell short of our own expectations.
How are you addressing those issues now, especially things like drafting and preparation?
We have a new player [Mirele] and a new coach [Korb3n], and that’s a refreshing change. It almost feels like a new lineup, and we’re trying to fix our problems with these changes.
How and why do you think changing a player or coach can help solve those issues?
It doesn’t magically fix everything, but it brings a fresh perspective to the game. It can also give us more motivation and new ideas. We will see how things go.
How have you grown as a player during your time with Team Spirit?
I’ve grown a lot this year. My teammates and management helped me improve in both the personal and professional spheres of the game. It’s a great organisation, and everyone really wants to help you succeed.
What have you learned about the game itself while playing alongside players like Yatoro, Miposhka, and Collapse?
I’ve learned to stay calm and focused every second of the game, and to always play until the very end, no matter the situation.
Finally, what are your expectations for BLAST Slam VI?
I don’t have huge expectations, but we want to win every tournament. We’ll prepare a lot and do our best.
BLAST SLAM VI begins on February 3rd, 2026. Stay tuned to our socials for more interviews and tournament updates in the coming days.
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Team Yandex
