Ahead of the VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff, we had the chance to speak with KOI Valorant player Grzegorz "GRUBINHO" Ryczko. He shared insights about the formation of the new roster, their preparation, and goals for the upcoming season. Read about this and more in the interview with Bo3.gg.

2024 was your first year performing on the VCT tier-one stage. What was the biggest challenge for you?

The biggest challenge for me was living away from home. Being in a different city, far from friends and family, was tough at first. Of course, you can call them, but it's not the same. I had to step out of my comfort zone, and while it was difficult initially, I got used to it over time.

Do you feel like being close to family is essential for you to perform consistently?

No, I don't think so.

So, being in a new city and environment was challenging for you. Was it the climate, the people, or something else that made it difficult?

The climate and weather are similar to Poland, so that wasn’t a big issue. It was more about being surrounded by different people and cultures, and not hearing my own language daily. That was the hardest part at first, but I’ve adjusted, and it doesn’t bother me as much now.

Your results last year seemed a bit underwhelming. I assume you had hoped for more?

It wasn’t a good start, I’d admit it. Everyone wanted more — players, coaches, everyone. Unfortunately, we didn’t achieve our goals or even get close to them. It was a tough year for all of us.

After a poor result and rumors of being replaced, did you feel stressed or anxious?

That’s a great question. I remember the first split last year was tough. There were rumors I’d be replaced, and playing on stage with that in mind was stressful. When I was briefly benched for a short event, it made me reflect. It became a lesson for me, and I came back with a changed mindset. I stopped overthinking about losing my job and started living more in the present. I realized that while I can do my best, some things are beyond my control, and that's okay.

That’s a very mature perspective. Did someone help you come to this realization, or was it your own thought process?

I remember when I got benched, I spoke with my agent, and he helped push me toward this way of thinking. Also, we had excellent performance coaches — Jake and Martina — who worked with us during the first split. They knew how to guide players and help shift our mindset. They taught me to focus on what I can control and not overthink things beyond my reach. It was a combination of their advice and my experiences that shaped this perspective

Sorry to interrupt, but could you share the names of your performance coach and agent so we can include them in the article?

Of course. Jake and Martina were our performance coaches, and my agent is Stan. I’d also like to mention our former coach, BARBARR. He gave me valuable advice, not just about the game but also about life. With his experience, he helped me realize that overthinking doesn’t help. You just have to focus on doing your best, even if you might fail sometimes. There’s no point in worrying about what might happen years from now.

That’s a great mindset. Let’s talk about the transfer you made in November. Could you explain how the decision process unfolded? Were you involved in selecting the new players?

Yes, when we started trials, Bogdan and I had a voice in choosing which players to trial. We shared our opinions on who we thought would fit and who might not. From the players we tested, we chose those who matched the team's needs and fit our style.

What key qualities were you looking for in the players? Not just technical skills like shooting or agent knowledge, but human qualities.

For us, it was all about the vibes — how it feels to be around someone.

Everyone defines "vibes" differently. Some teams prefer calm, passive energy, while others thrive in loud, high-energy environments. What’s the vibe of your current roster?

From the start, we’ve been open with each other. We’re not afraid to discuss mistakes or give feedback. If someone points out an error, no one takes it personally or gets upset. We don’t let small things cause frustration or tension. That openness and willingness to communicate are key to our team dynamic.

What do you enjoy the most about this new roster? What makes you happiest when playing with them?

I’d say it’s what happens outside the server. Even on bad days — because bad days happen to every player and team — we don’t leave the office like coworkers who just stop talking. We can switch off the frustration and still joke around, have small talks, and support each other. What happens on the server doesn’t affect the rest of our day. When we head home together, it feels the same — we’re still a team, still connected.

What can you tell me about flyuh in-game leadership style? What makes it work for you?

Xavier is great at adapting during the game. If something changes or we face something unexpected, he quickly finds solutions. His ability to adjust and respond to surprises makes him a strong leader in the server.

How prepared is this new KOI roster to compete with the region's top teams? What are your main strengths and, if you don’t mind, your weaknesses?

The main strength is how we are prepared for the best teams. But I also consider our strength to be our communication. It’s not just the IGL making calls — everyone on the team contributes when they notice something. This helps lighten the load for our IGL and makes us more adaptable. Also, we have strong shooters, which is always a plus.

And your weaknesses? Are there any you’ve already worked on?

Our main weakness used to be oversharing in communication, especially during the Madrid boot camp. It created some chaos in communication. We’ve worked on fixing it, and it has improved a lot, but it does resurface occasionally. I think it’s something that naturally gets better with time. We’re still a relatively new team, even though we’ve been playing together for a while. Compared to teams like Heretics, we haven’t had as much time to fully sync. As we play more together, we’ll continue to get used to how everyone communicates and plays, and it will become much smoother over time.

Let’s talk about the EMEA Kick-off. You only have a few days left. What are your expectations for the tournament? How do you assess your chances of qualifying for Masters Bangkok? Do you feel lucky with the seeding?

Our expectation, like everyone’s, is to qualify for Bangkok. As for the seeding, I wouldn’t say it’s about being lucky. Whether it’s Liquid or another team, you have to beat multiple strong teams to make it. It’s not just about who you play first — you need to reach the grand final, and there are two slots, so you can afford one loss.

Last year, you also started with a match against Liquid and lost. What will be different this time? How prepared are you for them now?

I’d say we’re prepared, but I’m sure they’ll say the same.

What do you think about Liquid new roster?

I think it’s good. We had the chance to scrim against them early on, before knowing we’d face each other. They played well — decent and solid. It’s hard to predict how the game will go, but we’re ready.

Your roster was finalized at the beginning of November, while Liquid completed theirs at the end of November. Do you feel that gives you an advantage in preparation?

Yes, having more time together is definitely an advantage. Starting earlier allows you to work on synergy and team play, so I’d agree there’s some benefit to that.

As someone who entered the top-tier scene last year, how difficult is it for Tier 2 players to break into Tier 1? What do you think helped you stand out?

The hardest part is the transition from online to offline play. In Tier 2, most games are online, with only a few LAN events. In Tier 1, you’re playing offline, living in a different city, and adjusting to a new environment. That’s the biggest challenge in my opinion.

During the season break, a new agent was introduced. What are your thoughts on them?

I’ve seen the agent, and I know some teams are already using them since they’ll be allowed in the first games. Honestly, the agent seems a bit overpowered. It feels strange that we’re playing a tournament next week with an agent introduced just a week ago. I think they’ll need nerfs soon.

As a primary smoker, can you explain why this agent, despite being strong in ranked games, might not be picked in professional play?

You can’t compare ranked games to pro matches, not even to scrims. The agent’s smokes are decent, but the rest of their utility isn’t as useful as other smokers’ tools. Teams tend to prefer smokers with better utility for team play. While you could build a comp around this agent, most teams stick to what’s proven effective.

The active map pool has also changed. Icebox and Ascent, which you played a lot in 2024, are no longer in the pool. Have you had enough time to adapt to the new maps and feel confident on them? Are you concerned your performance might drop on these maps?

Not really. The maps added to the pool are ones most players have already played before, even in Tier 2. You kind of know what to expect from them. I’m not worried about my performance on these maps. As for the map pool change, I think it’s a good thing. It keeps the game fresh and introduces something new.

Looking at the EMEA Kick-off, who do you think are the main contenders for the slots after the recent transfers?

After the changes, I’d say Heretics are strong contenders because they didn’t change their roster, which gives them an advantage. Another strong team is FUT, as they only made one change. I’d also include us in the mix. Teams with fewer changes tend to have a smoother transition, so Heretics and FUT look good in that regard.

We didn’t talk much about the coaching change during the November transfer period. How does Gorilla approach to team management differ from the previous coach’s?

Team management this year feels much smoother and more organized. The daily practice plans are better structured compared to last year. I’d also say last year, some things in-game felt a bit too strict. Now, we have more openness, and players are given more freedom to do their thing. Overall, it’s a much better environment.

Last year, you were new to the high-level scene and focused on proving yourself worthy of your spot. After a challenging but decent year, with good stats overall, how do you set your expectations for yourself now?

My goals are both individual and team-focused. Personally, I want to qualify for a Masters or Champions event to experience how it feels. It’s probably different from playing on a stage in the same place. That’s my main goal — to get to those events, feel the difference, and gain that experience.