rain: “The main problem we have is that we haven't been able to play enough”

Still on top of the rankings but far from being an undisputed best team following title-less runs at IEM Dallas, BLAST Premier Spring Final, and the Roobet Cup, FaZe head into IEM Cologne hoping to rediscover the level that saw them win three consecutive trophies including the PGL Major in Antwerp earlier in the season.

A common thread in their statements has been that the Finn “⁠karrigan⁠” Andersen-led squad hasn’t been able to refresh the playbook, and rain has echoed that sentiment in our interview with him in Cologne, where they have so far made it past 00NATION in the opening match.

The Norwegian said that not being able to put in the same hours as before the Major has been the main issue both for the team and for him, as he has dropped off from the MVP-winning form that saw him lead the team to the Antwerp title, now averaging a 1.01 rating at the past three tournaments.

“What works for me is if I play a lot, and during the Major I had 120-130 hours and I was grinding all the time, and I haven’t been able to reach those hours at all lately,” rain said on the topic of his individual level.

“It’s just been our individual form that hasn’t been good enough to have those clutch moments, and it’s what this team relies on,” he went on to say when talking about some of the uncharacteristic leads FaZe have given up in recent times, such as 14-6 and 11-6 leads in two separate meetings with BIG at the Roobet Cup.

The Norwegian also addressed karrigan‘s comments back in Lisbon, where the in-game leader claimed he would see the season as a disappointment if FaZe don’t reach the grand final in Cologne, and talked about the team’s confidence heading into the season finale in our video interview, which you can watch in full above or on our YouTube channel.