huNter- on old G2 vs new G2: "When it comes to firepower, it's the same"
Although he's new to the IGL role, huNter- is already impressing as the captain of G2. His fragging has remained strong, and his calling is constantly improving. G2 are reaching new heights with him at the helm.
Following an impressive 2-0 against FaZe in the quarter-finals of BLAST Open Lisbon, we caught up with huNter- to discuss his growth as an IGL, maintaining composure in OT, and the firepower of the new G2 compared to the old G2.
"It's not easy to beat a team like FaZe and especially not on a stage"
A strong win for you against FaZe, how are you feeling?
I feel great, it's not easy to beat a team like FaZe and especially not on a stage. They're experienced, they've played together for a long time, so I'm happy with the way we played and that we pulled it off.
It takes a lot to keep composure in overtime, given that you're such a new team, how does it feel to pull that off?
It was a new experience for us as a team, for me as an IGL, too. I'm really happy with how we managed that pressure and the way we played.
Photo: Sophie BarrowcloughAs you said, you're a new IGL, how was it different up there on the stage compared to when you were just a player?
It's definitely different, and I'm trying to enjoy playing in front of the crowd as much as I have always done in my career. Now, though, I don't have too much time to look out at the crowd and enjoy what they are chanting, I have to focus more on myself and what I want to call. I'm happy with how I did, though, I'm looking forward to do it more.
How do you think you're adapting to the new role?
I'm adapting well, I'm really happy with my teammates and my coach. It's getting better every day, which is the most important thing for me. Seeing the progress every day and going step by step, to not be inconsistent, I can see it all so it's getting better.
MATYS has said in another interview that people might be underestimating you guys as a team, do you agree with that?
I don't think so. Maybe we're a new team, with new and inexperienced players, but we have a lot of experience playing the game so I don't think people are underestimating us. You can ask the other teams if they are, but definitely not in my opinion.
Maybe G2 no longer has the stars it used to, but do you feel like you have equivalent levels of firepower and therefore should expect the same level of success?
Yeah, we don't have NiKo or m0NESY, but when you compare the teams that we've had before and now that we have five guys that can all shoot well, it's similar.
Of course, m0NESY is something else and he always has been and will only get better because of his age, and playing with NiKo was also something else because of his firepower and how much he meant to the team, how he called rounds and how he would set an example outside of the server, but when it comes to firepower, it's the same.
You play FURIA in the semi-final, a team in great form at the moment, how are you feeling about it?
We played against them in Cologne twice, so there's nothing new other than the fact both teams have gotten better. They play amazing CS right now, and they showed that in the group stage. It will be a hard game, we've finished late tonight so we won't have much time to rest and prepare, but there's no excuses, we're happy we've made the semis and now we just need to give our best.
