Team Liquid Receives Stellar Support at ESL One Belo Horizonte
The crowd at ESL One Belo Horizonte at the Mineirinho Arena showed unwavering support for Team Liquid, treating them like a Brazilian team. Even though Team Liquid primarily consists of North Americans, the presence of Brazilian player Epitácio “TACO” de Melo on the roster garnered tremendous fan support. Unfortunately, Team Liquid was eliminated by FaZe Clan in a 2-1 match, but their fans continued to cheer for them until the end.
TACO and NAF Reflect on Their Performance
TACO and Keith “NAF” Markovic, members of Team Liquid, spoke with about their experience at the championship following their elimination. TACO shared that he is adapting well to the roster, while NAF expressed his tiredness and the need for a break from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Preparation and Performance at ESL One Belo Horizonte
TACO: In terms of preparation, the limited time available is something I am accustomed to from my time in SK. We relied on conversations to adapt quickly, given that everyone in the team is a professional and possesses a good understanding of the game. Even without extensive practice on the server, we were able to address key details and adapt to different situations.
NAF: Our preparation for this event was solely based on our previous LAN experiences at ECS, StarLadder, and ESL Pro League Finals. We were unable to fix any issues prior to the event, so we made use of what we had. Despite not being able to secure victory, we did our best and managed to reach the semifinals.
Challenges on Nuke and Mirage
TACO: On Mirage, we struggled with mid control, but we made efforts to address this issue. Unfortunately, losing both pistol rounds greatly affected our performance throughout the championship. Winning pistol rounds is crucial for success, and we were not able to secure victory in the majority of these rounds. This played a significant role in our elimination from the semifinals.
NAF: Personally, the matches on Nuke and Mirage were tough. However, it wasn’t solely due to my individual performance. FaZe Clan outplayed us as a team, making it difficult for me to have an impact. Additionally, the demanding schedule of consecutive LAN events has left me feeling burned out.
Preparing for Future Championships
TACO: Before the upcoming Cologne tournament, Zews and I will need to renew our visas in Brazil. The rest of the team will have some time off to relax and recharge. We’ve been constantly traveling and competing for the past month and a half, so it’s important for everyone to take a few days off. Afterward, we will regroup and focus on practicing at our best for Liquid.
NAF: Given the extensive series of events we’ve participated in, I will be taking a break from Counter-Strike for a while. It’s crucial for me to rest before the upcoming Cologne tournament, where we will put in our best efforts.
Positive Feedback on Team Liquid
TACO expressed his admiration for Liquid as an organization, highlighting the excellent support from fans and the team. According to him, the only difficulty lies in adapting to the culture, language, and behavior. Nonetheless, his experience with Liquid has been wonderful, both in and out of the game.
Impression of TACO from NAF’s Perspective
In NAF’s opinion, TACO has been continuously improving as he gains more LAN experience with the team. Despite a rough start, he has been getting better and better. Furthermore, there is still ample room for growth and improvement between TACO and the rest of the team.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Related Team Liquid, TACO, NAF, ESL One Belo Horizonte, FaZe Clan, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, LAN events, Mirage, Nuke, culture adaptation, preparation for championships, Cologne tournament