“HooXi is having a really great event”

It appears that evidently G2 JKS and the remainder of the workforce are again on kind at IEM Cologne 2023. After a disappointing couple of months following their Worlds and IEM Rio wins, G2 Esports have landed themselves proper within the semi finals of the playoffs. We spoke with G2 JKS throughout the IEM media day concerning the IEM and taking down the Paris Main winners themselves, Staff Vitality.

Credit score: VaKarM / vakarm.internet

This isn’t your first time at IEM Cologne, how is it thus far?

It’s at all times very nice to be right here, it’s a special resort this time so it’s a little bit of a special vibe. It’s at all times actually good, the one draw back is the climate has been fairly sh*t. We’re in a special location which is good, we’re used to the identical spot again and again. It simply feels a bit bit completely different in that approach. The catering is fairly good, I’ve tried a bit little bit of it as a result of I normally simply order meals.

You had a powerful end to 2022 and a very good begin in 2023, however it has fallen off since then. Is Cologne serving to you get again on monitor?

Yeah, such as you stated, I believe we completed final 12 months and began this 12 months fairly effectively. Since then, it’s simply been within the center, nothing too unhealthy, nothing too loopy. At the least for now, making the semi finals is admittedly good for us and it’s a confidence increase. It’s good to get some momentum and a few outcomes taking place in comparison with the previous few months after we have been fairly flat. It’s good to beat massive groups at massive occasions so we’ve got had a confidence increase.

Talking of massive groups that you simply’ve overwhelmed, you lately beat Vitality. How did it really feel to take down the Paris Main winners?

After all, they only made a line up change so it’s at all times going to be a bit bit 50/50 however I believe we did rather well contemplating we threw away the primary map. I believe on the subsequent two maps, we confirmed actually good resilience to remain within the sport and produce it again. We additionally closed out the final map strongly. It’s good that we forgot concerning the first map and may nonetheless win the subsequent maps, I believe that’s the primary factor to remove from it. After all, it’s actually good to beat a workforce like Vitality as a result of they’ve been successful loads recently, they’re the #1 or quantity 2 workforce so for us to beat them was a reminder that we’re nonetheless a very good workforce.

Is there something particular you do as a workforce to make sure you preserve going after a primary map loss?

Not likely, I believe it’s nearly staying collectively as a workforce and never shedding focus or something like that. Everyone seems to be staying stage headed and never getting pissed off on the small issues. It’s a part of the expertise that we’ve got collectively as a result of we’ve been a workforce for nearly a 12 months now, which I believe is among the advantages.

How do you suppose your private efficiency has impacted the workforce?

At this occasion, I believe I’ve been fairly common. Nothing loopy, nothing unhealthy. I believe within the Vitality sport, I had a good collection and I believe if I simply preserve taking part in like that it helps with what I have to do within the sport. I believe it’s superb, after all it might be higher. It was higher than the primary day I performed and the second day was higher than the primary day. It’s getting higher total so so long as it retains enhancing then I’m proud of it. Everybody on my workforce is taking part in rather well as effectively. Hooxi is having a very nice occasion, he’s taking part in rather well and the opposite three are doing what you’d count on from them. So long as we preserve taking part in like that, we’re in a great spot to go additional.

You have been seeded straight into the group stage at IEM Cologne 2023 – would you slightly play from the start or watch from afar?

I believe there are benefits and drawbacks to each. I believe the disadvantages are that the opposite groups are already prepared for the atmosphere and stuff like that. They’re used to it so that they have that towards us. However for us, we will watch them play and see how they’re doing. Now we have extra materials to have a look at so it really works each methods. I suppose it simply is determined by the way you take a look at it.

Personally, I believe I’d slightly play the play ins simply so I’m used to every thing and I’m used to the atmosphere. However that’s my desire, I do know others wouldn’t like that. The longer you’re there as effectively, it’s extra draining. Having to play a further event is tiring.

Within the subsequent stage, you’re going to be going through both Heroic or Astralis. Who’re you wanting ahead to taking part in towards?

Truly, I don’t actually know to be trustworthy. I believe they’re each actually good groups. I believe Heroic are actually strong and Astralis are within the interval the place they’re a brand new workforce so that they’re actually having fun with taking part in with one another proper now. In the event you take a look at the rankings, it might be higher to play Astralis however they’re underrated for my part in comparison with how they rank. Both sport will probably be actually robust they usually’re each Danish groups so for Hooxi, I believe will probably be a very good match to play.

We’re simply specializing in one sport at a time. First we’ve got to play semis after which if we win, we will give attention to the finals.

Followers can see G2 JKS and the remainder of the workforce taking up both Heroic or Astralis within the semi finals of IEM Cologne 2023 on August fifth.

Learn additionally: Spinx at IEM Cologne 2023: "It will be hard but I think we can win"