BanKs on Team Vitality: “No one will ever forget this team’s achievements.”

Devilwalk: The only thing we can really criticize G2 Esports for is their inability to close out a series. Being in such favorable positions throughout the match, having a significant advantage, and numerous chances to win the map, yet still failing to capitalize on any of them—that’s what’s worth noting.

At the same time, however, I get the impression that the team is constantly playing against opponents who are better than them. I think this once again demonstrates just how much the “Samurai” have improved: they’re now capable of competing with the world’s top teams. This was clearly evident in their matches against Team Spirit and Team Falcons at the recent Major.

Looking at the match against the tournament winners, the European roster pushed Ancient to overtime and, overall, had a decent chance of winning. I’d even say that G2 played better CS in that series than the Falcons did. The problem is that at some point, the opponents have a player who, on his own, is stronger than G2. I really don’t think we can call the team’s play bad or weak—no, it’s just that in certain matches, the guys get overrun by a stronger lineup.

BanKs: apEX was here with us and said himself that, sure, they get their share of hate, and people say a lot of things about them, but no one will ever be able to forget this team’s achievements. And the result at the last Major won’t change that fact. However, as you mentioned earlier, after Team Vitality lost at IEM Atlanta, incidents like this show that this team is by no means invincible.

Devilwalk: Yes, and that’s a huge problem, because the club has spent an incredibly long time building its reputation. It’s one thing when everyone keeps talking about how the team dominates the rest, and quite another when the roster beats absolutely everyone time and time again, and no lineup changes or substitutions can help opponents handle them. And now these losses seem to be opening the eyes of many teams. Just think about it: Aurora Gaming finished higher than Team Vitality at the Major. And BetBoom Team was right up there with them.

BanKs: But the bracket was terrible there.

Devilwalk: But that doesn’t matter at all, you see? Ultimately, details like that won’t make a difference. You can just remind yourself of that fact, and that will be enough. If I were Aurora, I wouldn’t be afraid at all to play against the French club right now, because I finished higher than them at the championship. Even if it’s fake confidence, it’s still confidence, and it works.

BanKs: So, there’s a rumor that ashhh is going to join Aurora Gaming as head coach. He obviously doesn’t speak Turkish—he’s British—so the roster will have to become international. If management wants to keep the current points for this lineup, they need to keep three players. I want to ask, who should those three be? I’d definitely keep MAJ3R, because it’s hard to find an IGL, Wicadia, and woxic. Or maybe soulfly as the third?

Devilwalk: woxic. I’d pick him.

BanKs: Well, yeah, because it’s also really hard to find a sniper right now. It’s hard to imagine the team without XANTARES, but given the international direction, I can understand that outcome. After all, he’s had some emotional issues lately. Plus, I’m sure ashhh doesn’t care at all about XANTARES’s status in the history of this tag. The coach will be concerned with how the guys interact, what the team atmosphere is like, and things like that.