Ivan "iM" Mihai shared his insights on the evolving tier-1 CS2 scene, emphasizing the narrow margins separating the top teams. In an exclusive interview with Bo3.gg, the NAVI player discussed the team's stability, their rivalry with Spirit, and the challenges posed by the MR12 format, shedding light on what it takes to stay ahead in the highly competitive landscape.

Your match against Team Spirit will determine a lot this season. Do you agree that there is a gap between your team, Spirit, and others in terms of game understanding and chemistry?

I think the main reason we are ahead is stability. We haven’t made any roster changes, while other top teams have had to reset and start from scratch after making one or more changes. Even a single change means spending time rebuilding and fixing mistakes.

What about Spirit? Do you see a difference in playstyle?

Obviously, we have different styles and approaches, but I wouldn’t say much beyond that.

Spirit has been a tough opponent for you. If you meet again at BLAST, do you think you can adapt like you did in Katowice?

If we meet them again in a final, it will be an incredible match. They are a tough team for us, but if we prepare well and play with the same confidence as before, we’ll make things easier for ourselves and put on a great show.

Do you feel like you've surpassed Spirit in any aspect, such as aim or clutch situations?

It’s not about aim or clutches; it’s about everything. Nowadays, matches are won by small details. The team that makes fewer mistakes will have the upper hand, so our focus is on minimizing errors and reading the game well.

When preparing for Spirit, is shutting down Donk enough, or do you have a more refined approach?

We always follow our own game plan, regardless of the opponent or individual players.

So you don’t specifically prepare for Donk?

No, we don’t single out individual players.

EliGE mentioned that MR12 needs more gun rounds. Do you agree? What changes would you suggest?

The only real solution would be bringing back the old format. With MR12, losing three consecutive rounds puts you in a tough spot, forcing eco rounds that quickly spiral into a huge deficit. Losing both pistols and subsequent force buys often results in an 8-0 situation, making comebacks extremely difficult.

Would you prefer MR15 or an economy rework for MR12?

I’d choose MR15.

During tournaments, who wins more in fist bumps between B1T and Aleksib? Do you have any unique celebratory techniques?

No special moves, just fist bumps. Sometimes, after a big clutch or key moment, we give high fives, but 95% of the time, it’s just fist bumps.

Your team is great at praising each other. Do you do it intentionally to keep the mood up? What's the best compliment you've received from a teammate?

I can’t remember the best one, but we always support each other when someone plays well. It’s important for motivation. If a team stays silent, the energy can drop, and you might lose the passion to play.

You didn’t change your roster, but did B1ad3 make any internal adjustments after the break?

We didn’t swap positions, but we changed the way we play certain maps as a team.

Last year, your results from autumn to December were inconsistent, but this year, you're doing great. Was it fatigue, too much travel, or something else?

We were burned out. Going from tournament to tournament without a break was tough. We played in six straight finals, which meant no rest days—one event ended, and we immediately traveled to the next. That schedule took a toll on us.

Does jet lag affect you much?

The only time I really felt jet lag was in Singapore for the BLAST World Finals. It was similar to China’s time zone, so when we later played in China, we were better prepared.

Your goal isn’t just to be a top team but the best. Compared to Spirit, FaZe, and others, do you feel you have what it takes this season?

Right now, the top five teams are very close, even the top ten. Anyone can beat anyone. With tools like Skybox, teams have more data than ever, making preparation easier. That’s why matches are so competitive—small mistakes make a huge difference.

NAVI have reached the semi-finals of IEM Katowice 2025, where they will eagerly await their opponent.They have directly qualified and remain one of the favorites of the tournament. Follow the news, schedule, and results of the tournament here.