Foto: Adela Sznajder, Dreamhack.

Few could have missed the new Swedish squad of GODSENT. They had their big tourney-debute at Dreamhack Masters in Malmö, where they delivered a result far beyond what experts had anticipated.

With veterans, newcomers and fan favorites it’s no wonder the team have quickly gained a large following.

– We’ve received so many new fans in no time, they’re all wonderful, Alexander ”rdl” Redl, coach and manager in GODSENT, tells Aftonbladet Esport.

Alexander ”rdl” Redl is a former professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player, competing side by side with current GODSENT star, Markus ”pronax” Wallsten, back in the n!faculty days of 2013. As with a lot of esports stars, Alexander was also affected by a hand injury.

– It didn’t happen over time. One day I woke up and my hand stung. Ten minutes later I couldn’t even grab a mouse because of the strong contractions. You see yourself getting worse and worse in game, and it’s so frustrating. Because you really want to play more – but you can’t.

In Alexander’s case, the pain meant he could not longer reach the heights he was hoping for. A comeback seemed possible as he once again tried his luck in a team, this time with British FM eSports. Soon however, he realized it wasn’t possible.

– Leaving the scene for only six months gives you so much to catch up on. So if you can’t play due to an injury there’s just no point in trying. As coaching became more popular I tried being the coach in FM eSports. Later Pronax asked me and I was just so happy.

On the subject, Alexander wants to warn other gamers:

– If you can do anything about it, you definitely should. Even though your hand might not be hurting now, you should make sure you’re doing everything right. Because it’s such a bummer.

A new dream from above

The new project was underway. Along with Pronax, Mathias ”pauf” Köhler, Andreas ”znajder” Lindberg, Jonas ”Lekr0” Olofsson and Simon ”twist” Eliasson, the organisation GODSENT was formed. Not just any organisation, but their own organisation.

– They already had the idea as I joined the team, and I thought the plan was amazing considering the momentum Pronax had from Fnatic, Znajder already have a large fan base, Twist has always received a lot of attention. We have famous players who I know will get so many more fans, perhaps Lekr0 especially now after Dreamhack Malmö.

– I just think it’s the perfect thing to do right now. If you can create something of your own, you should. I’ve been in so many organisations where you don’t even have a say in anything.

– It’s different for us. Even if we were to pick up another team in another game we’d still know what’s needed. We want everyone to feel welcome and to help make this organisation bigger. By the players, for the players – I guess.

Entering new games in the future, is that something you’ve talked about and want to do?

– Absolutely. When creating an organization it’s always discussed. When it might happened is a completely different story, but we definitely want to do it considering how much the scene is growing. I enjoy watching and playing all kinds of games myself, regardless if it’s Dota2 or LoL. And now Overwatch is about to be released. We’re keeping our eyes open and we’ll see what the future has to offer.

”I’m a mini-dad”

Alexander have taken on the role as manager and coach. However, when using his own words he describes himself as something of a father in the team.

– I do a little bit of everything. Outside of the game I’m the manager. I do the traveling arrangements, I make sure everyone are happy and have everything they need, and I make sure people wake up on time, he says laughing.

– I’m a mini-dad, that’s just the way it is and I it’s great.

The Swede explains that inside the game, Pronax is their main in-game leader. However, all the players bring forth their own ideas on how to defeat opponents. Alexander mostly focuses on finding mistakes, both among team mates and enemies.

– At the end of the day I think that’s what makes our game so dynamic and will help us improve in the future.

As Dreamhack Masters in Malmö ventured into the semi final matches, GODSENT came just a few rounds away from beating the Swedish giants, NiP. Following their amazing run in Malmö we’re likely to see more from the up-and-comers.

– We focus a lot on letting the players develop their own brands, personal sponsors etcetera. While it’ll make the organization bigger, it’ll also spur the players to do more interviews and mingle with fans and such. The fans love that, and we love them. We’ve received so many new fans in no time. They’re all wonderful, Alexander ends.