Grim on his time with Passion UA: “I had to get up at 5 a.m. for practice sessions with high ping from the U.S.”
Alexey Mikhailov
Esports player Michael “Grim” Vince appeared on the Half Time with K Bizzy podcast, where he compared the conditions at Passion UA and NRG, reflected on his personal approach to Counter-Strike, and outlined his team’s main goals for the upcoming season.
On the difference between NRG and Passion UA
The main difference with NRG is that the whole team spends less time in Europe. At first glance, this might seem like a downside, but when I was at Passion UA, we’d be away from home for eight weeks at a time and would only return to our families for four days, all while continuing to train. I remember having to get up at 5 a.m. for practice sessions with high ping from the U.S. It was impossible to sustain that schedule for long. NRG also holds boot camps, but only before major tournaments.
On my personal approach to Counter-Strike
I love competing. I’ve been playing Counter-Strike since I was 14, and I’ve always enjoyed it. I want to compete in major tournaments, be one of the best players in North America, and proudly represent my region. No matter what the results are at Majors or other events, I always come home, analyze the results, and try to improve.
On NRG’s goals for the next season
Our main goal is to make the playoffs of a major tournament early in the next season, and then build on that success to qualify for a Major. Of course, it won’t be easy, but we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.
Earlier in the podcast, Grim talked about his adjustment to NRG and the team’s challenges throughout the season, and also reflected on the American team’s loss to BIG in the Group Stage of the IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Photo by Stephanie Lindgren, BLAST.
Alexey Mikhailov
