apEX: “In a way, I never try to focus on the opponent.”
Team Vitality captain Dan “apEX” Madeskler, in an interview at BLAST Open Porto 2026, assessed the upcoming match against 9z Team and discussed the loss to Inner Circle.
On 9z Team
Right now, we’re in the same situation. I don’t think 9z Team played that well at the Esports World Cup 2026 for CS2—they lost their opening match. I think we’re in the same situation. And I don’t know—maybe they’ll play better than us; I don’t know. But in a way, I never try to focus on the opponent. Even when we played really well, we never focused on the opponent. We focused on ourselves. And that’s the most important thing. You just have to try to figure yourself out before looking at what’s happening with others.
On the loss to Inner Circle
I think this was the first time we lost and I ended up being the highest-rated player on the team. That’s why I realized something wasn’t right.
Earlier, Team Vitality lost to Inner Circle 0–2 in their debut match at BLAST Open Porto 2026. Right now, Dan “apEX” Madeskler’s team is battling 9z Team for the right to stay in the tournament.
Photo by Stephanie Lindgren, BLAST.
