Interview: Robin 'ropz' Kool's interview with 99Damage before the New Challengers-Stage 12.01.2018, 13:37

You finished second at ECS and gave FaZe a good run for their money. Was that a preview on what to expect from you guys at the Major?

Hopefully. We played a good event in Cancun and had really good results across the fall season starting with the win in Mykonos, and good placements in other events as well. If we can preserve that form for Atlanta, I think we can make the next step and become legends in Boston.

You also finished second at DreamHack Winter. Does the team have problems performing under pressure or were those teams just better on the day?

We lost two finals, one against Navi and one really close series against FaZe, when nobody expected us to be in those finals in the first place. I don't see how problems with pressure have anything to do with that. We maybe weren't that used to being in a Grand Final, but we took valuable experience from those games.

i just wanted a simple version of my signature and i'm glad valve finally updated it, go get it =D pic.twitter.com/TGZCfU35mk — ropz (@ropzicle) January 5, 2018

In an interview in November, Chris said the team and himself are lacking consistency, have you found that consistency in recent months?

Towards the end of the year, it felt like a lot worked much smoother and we knew how to react even in much more stressful situations. I feel like we should be much more consistent now but, as always, with consistency only time will tell.

How has chrisJ’s leadership style evolved from when he started until now?

I think we've all evolved in the past month. We always had really good individual skill but that won't cut it on the top level. We all try to chime in and support Chris.

What did your team's Major-preparation look like?

We didn't have much time to prepare for just the Major. We had two short bootcamps, one before Cancun and one right after the holidays, where we tried to get in some fine-tuning on certain maps and improve communications. I think both of these bootcamps helped us quite a bit going into Atlanta.

What are your expectations for the New Challengers-Stage and for the Major as a whole?

I think the Major as a whole is gonna be great. I really like the ELEAGUE events and I am looking forward to playing there again. The Challenger Stage immediately ahead of the Major is pretty good I think. It doesn't make much sense to travel to two different locations with two weeks in between for the old qualifier. As for our team, it's hard to say. For me, the goal is making it to Boston which would mean additional stage experience and, of course, making Legend status. I don't think there is one overwhelming favorite, so who knows what's possible.

this is an apology to my friends who are receiving insane amounts of snaps of traveling, sorry but i have to — ropz (@ropzicle) January 4, 2018

What are your thoughts on BIG and Sprout?

Tough to say. I think they both have the chance to make it to week 2, but the Challenger stage is already packed and it is for sure going to be hard. If BIG can get into a similar groove like at the last Major, everything is possible. I haven't seen Sprout play much at this point, so it's really hard to evaluate their chances. My guess is that at least one of them is making it to the second round.

Robin ' ropz ' Kool was one of the biggest discoveries of the past year. After an impressive run in 2017, establishing himself as a strong player, the Estonian is looking to take the next step in Boston: becoming a Major-Legend.