9z’s run at IEM Dallas once looked like a fluke, but there is no doubting the South American team after they have kept up their strong results and have now advanced to the second stage of IEM Cologne 2024 after two confident wins.
With that win you are through to the next stage, how are you feeling?
I feel amazing, we're very proud of ourselves.
You weren't an unknown team at the start of the year but not many people would have had eyes on you, how did it all come together that you could come to these international events and consistently do damage?
We talk a lot with our psychologist, and that has really helped our mental to be able to prepare. Also, we just play really good CS.
So that psychologist gave you the extra thing you were lacking? What are the main things you have taken from them?
We talk a lot within our bubble as we call it, our emotions and that the things we can't control, can't affect us. This is the big thing.
In terms of the South American teams, it's a very competitive region but you have been performing better than any of the other teams, so where do you rank yourselves?
We've had a month in Spain so we haven't been practising a lot in South America, but I'd put us between the first and third somewhere.
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Who else would you say is in that top three?
The first and second is Liquid and FURIA, although I'm not sure which way round. After that, it's us.
People may have thought the Dallas run was a fluke but you are proving them otherwise, were you confident back then that you could turn your form there into something consistent?
For me, Dallas was the thing we needed to truly upgrade ourselves to tier one. Keeping with that level is now the key.
What are the hopes for the next stage? Do you think you can have a repeat of Dallas?
Yeah, of course. We want to play in the arena and nothing less.
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