MOUZ defeated paiN 2–1 at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade Season 2 and advanced to the upper-bracket final against Spirit. After the series, kyotostxr spoke with Ludvig Brollan Brolin about the upcoming marquee matchup, the transition from FACEIT to structured team Counter-Strike, the beginning of his professional career, and a possible Swedish national lineup.
As one of the tournament favorites, who do you consider your main rival? Is it Spirit, or are you focused entirely on your own game?
Spirit, of course.
— Brollan
It is probably one of the best matchups at this tournament, just as it was last season.
We can play our own style and impose our game on them, so I think tomorrow will be a good match.
You could face Spirit twice at this tournament—now and again in the grand final. How would the preparation and mindset differ between those two possible matches?
We are not really thinking about a second meeting with Spirit yet.
— Brollan
With this format, both teams have another chance.
The preparation is always the same, regardless of how important or personal the matchup may feel.
I enjoy watching your FACEIT games, especially when you face very strong aimers or players such as AIMGOD. Why have so many of them not broken through or at least reached tier three?
I used to be in that position myself.
— Brollan
There are many brainless players on FACEIT who simply hold W and run forward.
Of course, FACEIT will always be like that to some extent.
Some players can adapt to professional Counter-Strike, while others may never be able to do it.
I think many of them do not want to adapt to team play or learn structured team Counter-Strike.
They become comfortable with the pug style and stay there.
So does it mostly depend on the players themselves?
Yes.
— Brollan
There are, of course, players who keep trying to enter team Counter-Strike but cannot make it work.
It may be because of their playing style or something else—there are many possible reasons.
But I think the main issue is that they cannot put in the hard work required to reach the next level.
How old were you when you first earned money from Counter-Strike? When did you realize that you could become a professional player?
I was 14 when I won my first tournament, a small local LAN in Sweden.
— Brollan
That was when I realized that I was genuinely good at Counter-Strike and wanted to become a professional.
At 14, I was not that confident yet, and there was not much hype around me.
But I knew that if I kept improving and learned more about team play, I could become a professional player.
Who is the hardest-working player you know on the professional scene who deserves to win a tier-one trophy?
I do not know that many players closely enough, especially when it comes to how they work behind the scenes.
— Brollan
I would probably say Twistzz. I think he is a very hard-working player.
Even outside the server, he puts in an enormous amount of effort. He lives in Europe rather than Canada and sacrifices a lot for his career.
I believe a documentary about him came out before Cologne, and it was quite interesting.
When you look at everything Twistzz has gone through, you can confidently say that he works extremely hard.
If I remember correctly, an esports Olympics is expected to take place next year. What should the Swedish Counter-Strike national team look like?
I would include myself, of course.
— Brollan
I would also take hampus.
nawwk would be the AWPer, with isak and REZ taking the remaining spots.
Xizt would be the coach.
