Illidan on BLAST SLAM VIII: “We’re training with MiLAN, playing KV, and watching replays.”
Team Spirit’s new coach, Ilya “Illidan” Pivtsaev, spoke to Dota2.ru about preparations for BLAST SLAM VIII, working with Milan “MiLAN” Kozomara, and the main challenge of coaching the main roster.
Quotes are reproduced with the source’s spelling and punctuation intact
On which roster is easier to coach
It’s much harder to draw the right conclusions from a game when you’re coaching the main roster. Often, the key moments aren’t so obvious, since the game is played at the very highest level. It’s easier because you don’t have to explain a lot of the nuances of communication and discipline—the guys already have all that down.
On how experience helps you view the team from the outside
I think diverse experience generally helps you assess a team’s strengths and weaknesses much better.
On preparing for BLAST SLAM VIII
We’re training with MiLAN, playing quick matches, watching replays together, and talking with the players. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
On the main challenge of the first few weeks
The main challenge is to make our work as effective as possible, while not being afraid to bring something new to the table.
Team Spirit, featuring Illidan and new offlaner Bogdan “Batyuk” Batyuk, will make its debut at BLAST SLAM VIII, which will take place from September 29 to October 11. The “Dragons” have been placed in a group with 1w Team, Natus Vincere, and Team Nemesis.
Photo by Patrick Strack, ESL.
