Team Liquid Dominating ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier
Team Liquid has been performing exceptionally well at the ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier tournament. Despite the strong performances from Natus Vincere, Team Liquid remains calm and focused. They are set to face Natus Vincere tomorrow at 4pm CT in the semifinals.
Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken has been the standout player for Team Liquid, helping them secure victory over MIBR in the group stage. However, Epitacio “TACO” de Melo, former MIBR player, struggled in matches against his old team.
Confident in Team Liquid’s Strength
had the opportunity to speak with Twistzz and TACO prior to their match against Na’Vi. They discussed previous matches, their upcoming game against Na’Vi, and Team Liquid’s position in the CS:GO competitive scene.
Twistzz and TACO Reflect on the Match against MIBR
In regards to their match against MIBR, Twistzz believes it was a combination of good practice and poor performance from MIBR. He also criticized MIBR’s flawed practice methodology. TACO expressed that Team Liquid’s extended time together as a team has allowed them to improve significantly. He also noted that MIBR did not perform at their best due to recent roster changes.
Liquid’s Dominance in the NA Scene
TACO shared his opinion that Liquid is currently the strongest American team in the North American competitive scene. He believes they have surpassed Cloud9 and are close to reaching the next level of success.
Confidence against Na’Vi
Having previously defeated Na’Vi in the EPL Finals, TACO expressed confidence in facing them again. He acknowledged Na’Vi’s strong performance but emphasized that Liquid is not afraid of playing against them. TACO believes they have a good chance of securing another victory.
The Challenge of Playing Against Astralis
Twistzz admitted that Liquid’s lack of preparation has been a hindrance in their matches against Astralis. He believes that playing against Astralis requires a different playstyle and that Liquid has been playing too similarly to them. However, Twistzz remains optimistic and believes they are getting closer to defeating Astralis.
Opinions on Stewie2K and tarik in MIBR
TACO believes that Stewie2K and tarik’s playstyle in MIBR is similar to their previous team, SK Gaming. He praised their passive playstyle but also expressed concern that they may have hindered their individual playstyles joining MIBR.
The Dominance of the Old SK Lineup
TACO credited the success of the old SK lineup to their dedication and hard work towards CS:GO. He believes their strong work ethic, talented players, and team chemistry allowed them to dominate for an extended period. He also noted that the level of competition has increased compared to the past.
Preparation for Upcoming Matches and Future Tournaments
Twistzz believes that there is still a lot of room for improvement and that they are currently playing at around 70% of their potential. However, he expressed confidence that after the player break and a bootcamp, they will excel and perform even better in the second season. TACO also agreed with Twistzz’s assessment of their current preparedness.
Positive Team Morale and Confidence
Twistzz shared that team morale is high, and their practice has been going well. The team is focused, having fun, and enjoying their time together. They are optimistic and in good spirits going into the tournament and upcoming player break.
Mentality against Na’Vi and Astralis
TACO emphasized that there is no doubt in their minds when it comes to facing Na’Vi or Astralis. While acknowledging their strong performances, TACO expressed confidence and highlighted the lack of pressure on Team Liquid. He hopes to win against Na’Vi and play in another grand final.
Challenges of Playing Against Astralis
Twistzz discussed the difficulties they face when playing against Astralis, citing lack of preparation as one factor. However, he believes that with practice and new strategies, they can overcome these challenges. He also shared that future matchups against Astralis may be less difficult compared to previous encounters.
TACO’s Performance Against MIBR
TACO admitted that his preparation for the matches against MIBR was lacking. He did not have enough practice due to recent events. While he performed poorly in the first match against MIBR, he improved in subsequent matches against Astralis and MIBR. TACO remained positive and focused on supporting his team, even in times of personal struggle.
Looking Ahead to the Major
Twistzz believes that the competition in the Major qualifier this time will be easier compared to the previous one. He considers Team Liquid to have a good chance of qualifying, especially considering the absence of other strong NA teams.
Dealing with Anti-stratting
Twistzz mentioned that it is easy to identify when a team is anti-stratting. However, he believes that with their diverse playstyle and individual skill, it will be difficult for opponents to successfully anti-strat Team Liquid.
Supporting the Fans
Twistzz addressed his fans who have been focused on his hair, expressing his desire for compliments regarding his CS:GO performance rather than his appearance.
Positive Outlook and Future Potential
Despite the challenges they have faced, both Twistzz and TACO remain positive and motivated. They are determined to continue working hard and improving their gameplay. They recognize the progress they have made and are confident in their ability to achieve success in future tournaments.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Team Liquid, ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier, Natus Vincere, Twistzz, TACO, MIBR, Na’Vi, CS:GO, Astralis, Major