Astralis lost 1–2 to Vitality in the IEM Chengdu 2025 quarterfinals and were eliminated from the tournament. After the match, kayo spoke with team captain Rasmus HooXi Nielsen about Astralis’ goals during a difficult period for the organization, the decision to bring Magisk back, and his expectations for the upcoming Major.
You put up a strong fight against Vitality and showed some good Counter-Strike. Does the team have any long-term goals after this tournament exit?
It is hard to have long-term goals with the situation we currently find ourselves in at Astralis.
— HooXi
So no, not really. Our short-term goal is simply to do the best we can at the Major.
How did Magisk return to Astralis? Who was the main person behind bringing him back?
You could say the main initiator was stavn, because he left.
— HooXi
But seriously, there was no single person driving the move. Magisk was simply the obvious and best choice for us at that moment.
I am not sure I can pinpoint one specific person.
What result at the Major would you consider successful for Astralis?
I have a hard time putting a specific placement on it because a lot depends on who we face.
— HooXi
I will honestly be happy if we can look at ourselves in the mirror afterward and say that we did everything we could, played good Counter-Strike, and did not lose to ourselves.
Result-based expectations are not really my thing.
