BLAST Premier Spring Finals has been a whirlwind ride for a brand-new OG roster as they wildly surpassed expectations by making it all the way to top-four, despite playing with a stand-in. On the way, they beat the world #3 Natus Vincere and world #2 ENCE.
A rematch against Natus Vincere in the semi-finals would prove to be a step too far for a squad inexperienced on stage, but they acquitted themselves well by taking their map pick and being competitive throughout the series.
NEOFRAG had a strong showing here at BLAST
Fresh from the brave but unsuccessful fight against Natus Vincere, NEOFRAG gave HLTV some insight on OG‘s run, what it has been like playing for his new squad, and why he left his countrymen behind.
How are you feeling about your performance here in Lisbon? I know you are probably feeling disappointed after the loss, but you had a great tournament.
I wouldn’t say disappointed, because we lost against NAVI you know? We were coming into this tournament as real underdogs, I didn’t even know we were going to play on the stage. I was talking to the guys and I said we should just have fun and enjoy the moment, I wouldn’t say we are disappointed, I am happy.
What was it like playing your first game in front of a crowd like that?
It’s just amazing. I played in Czech LANs in front of a crowd and there was like 1-2k, but this was amazing, it was like another experience and I like it, the whole day I was only smiling because of this crowd, this is why we play CS.
I can feel that energy! Turning to the game, the whole team seemed to play aggressively, with no fear, and make a lot of individual plays. Was that part of the game plan coming into the series?
Yeah, I would say I just like to play aggressive against the best teams, because maybe they will not check it against us on LAN, they will think we are afraid, but I wouldn’t say we were afraid. We are just confident in these moves, and we are proving it.
So would you say it is your playstyle in general as a team?
Yeah.
I feel like this team is more experienced, I would say there is a better mood in the team…
The Inferno T-side was particularly impressive, getting you 10 rounds, and seemed to be what allowed you to take that map. What do you think enabled you to be so effective?
I don’t know… nexa was calling like a beast, I would say we had a good banana take, we had a lot of times control of car because of this, and we just knew what they were doing, so we were prepared.
You had beaten NAVI on Mirage earlier in the tournament, but they turned things around on you in this series. What changed?
Maybe they didn’t take the first match seriously, they thought maybe it’s going to be easy playing OG.
You think they underestimated you in the first game?
I would say so, yeah.
Turning to some more general questions, how different is it playing for a team like OG, compared to SINNERS?
I would say I am playing the same playstyle as in SINNERS, I have the same positions. I feel like this team is more experienced, I would say there is a better mood in the team and everything is going fine, we are helping eachother. I like playing in OG.
Would you say it’s a more upbeat and hype atmosphere?
Yeah for sure.
Sometimes nexa has to calm me down, sometimes I want to do a lot of crazy plays…
Was it tough to leave your countrymen behind? I know not all, but most players would prefer to play with players from their own country. Was it hard, or an easy decision for you?
I would say it was an easy decision, because the last six months I was thinking that maybe it’s time to go, and also beastik told me it’s time to go, and I was like “okay.” We don’t hate each other, they support me.
Was it time to step up, you had outgrown SINNERS?
Yeah for sure, I would say at the beginning of 2022 I was still a child, and in six months I grew and I have a better mindset, everything is better.
You can see it on the server, you are playing really well.
Thank you.
F1KU said you have been given a lot of freedom, on Vertigo for example, are you getting that freedom on every map?
Yeah, I would say yeah. Sometimes nexa has to calm me down (smiles), sometimes I want to do a lot of crazy plays, but yeah I have the freedom.
Did you have any other international offers before OG?
Yeah, at the start of 2022 I had ENCE, but it didn’t work out. I would say it was good to not go there, it worked out in the end. I wanted to go there, something happened, but everything bad is for something good, you know?
What are your goals with this team?
I want to be a stable top-10 team, playing these LANs, getting better, and enjoying CS!
