gr1ks on BIG’s CS2 roster: “After the Major, everyone was in a tilt.”
Daria Ushakova
BIG sniper Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin and the team’s rifler, John “JDC” de Castro, in an interview with the XSE Pro League 2026, assessed their team’s current form, shared their expectations for the tournament’s playoffs, and discussed the team’s morale following the IEM Cologne Major 2026.
On their emotions after defeating B8 Esports
gr1ks: We weren’t thinking about the fact that we’d lost to them earlier at the Major; we just wanted to win. Maybe it was a bit of revenge. Of course, we’re happy to be here and advance to the playoffs—our fans are rooting for us.
On the secret to their success in the match against B8 Esports
JDC: To be honest, I think we made the right plays. Even when it was obvious we were going to win the round, we didn’t let up, so our execution was solid, as were the situations we found ourselves in. For us as a team, it was important to maintain the right mindset to keep going in the same vein.
On BIG’s form and morale
gr1ks: In my opinion, we’re playing better and better with every match. Of course, we’re not in our best form right now, but we have time to correct our mistakes. Yes, after the Major, everyone was tilted and down, and I didn’t play CS at all for a whole week. But now we have a chance to show good results in the tournament playoffs and earn a lot of VRS points.
Earlier today, BIG advanced to the playoffs of the XSE Pro League 2026, which is taking place in China from July 1 to 12. The German team swept B8 Esports: 16–13 on Inferno and 13–11 on Ancient. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian team finished the tournament in 9th–11th place, earning $27,500 in prize money.
Photo — Roman Imperium Cup.
Daria Ushakova
