Astralis player Victor "Staehr" Staehr shared his thoughts on the team’s hard-fought victory, rating his own performance and highlighting the key moments that led to their comeback on Nuke. In an exclusive interview with Bo3.gg, he discussed FURIA’s unexpected plays, the strengths of an all-Danish roster, and the challenges of maintaining stability in Danish CS. Staehr also reflected on the current meta, including the power of the Tec-9, and shared his perspective on Astralis’ path back to the top.

That was a tough game, but you managed to win. How challenging was the match, and how would you rate your performance from 1 to 10?

It was a very tough game. They played really well, and it was challenging for us. Luckily, we made a great comeback on Nuke, which felt amazing. As for my performance, I’d rate it a 6 out of 10.

What were the key factors that led you to victory, especially on Nuke?

I think the late-round and mid-round scenarios were crucial. We executed good nades, traded efficiently, and played everything perfectly. Even when they were ahead by two or three rounds, we managed to outplay them and secure the win.

What is working best for your team right now? Is it chemistry, communication, or something else?

That’s a tough one. I’d say our energy and belief in ourselves, no matter how far behind we are. Staying confident is a strong factor for us.

Did FURIA do anything unexpected that forced you to adjust your strategy?

We knew they played well on the CT side, so we decided to rush A twice in a row, realizing they didn’t have good money. It was a way to shake them up and keep them from playing too safely. After that, we returned to our usual strategy but played a bit faster than normal.

Your next opponent is GamerLegion. How will you prepare for them?

They are still a Tier 2 team stepping into Tier 1, so we haven’t seen many of their games against top teams like FURIA. We’ll need to watch more of their matches and focus on understanding their playstyle.

You have five Danish players on your roster. How does that affect team chemistry and playstyle?

The atmosphere is different because we live in the same country and see each other often. That makes us closer as friends. Communication is also much deeper compared to international teams, which I think is a key advantage.

What is your main goal for this season?

I hope to win a tournament. It’s tough, with teams like Spirit and NAVI in great form, but we’ll do our best to make it happen.

Who supports you the most in this tournament? Do you feel the energy from the fans or your family?

Fans always support the underdogs, but I try not to focus too much on that. In an arena setting, their support is important, but online, there’s a lot of hate, so I don’t read everything. Still, it’s nice to see people cheering for us.

If a fan writes to you on social media, would you respond?

I probably wouldn’t reply, but I might see it. Notifications pop up, and sometimes I check them out of curiosity.

Let’s talk about Astralis’ past dominance. When do you think the team will return to the top, and what challenges must you overcome?

I don’t think any team will ever dominate like the old Astralis did. Winning that much again seems almost impossible. To get to the top, we need to play together consistently, avoid roster changes, and trust each other. Even if we lose a couple of tournaments, we have to believe in the process.

2024 was a rough year for Danish teams. What needs to change for Danish CS to regain its strength?

It’s hard to say, but I think a well-built Danish team with all the right pieces is key. We’ve tried to do that with our lineup, but it takes time. We need to practice and gain experience instead of changing players every six months.

What do you do together as a team when you’re not playing CS?

We do a lot of things. Last time, we went to a sauna together and chilled in Denmark. We’ve also been to the cinema and played padel. It’s just like being friends—we do all kinds of things, not just one specific activity.

What do you think about the Tec-9 meta? How do you feel about weapons like the Tec-9, MAC-10, and P90?

The Tec-9 feels a bit overpowered, especially since it costs only $500. But at the same time, it’s fair because everyone can buy it. It also makes half-buy rounds more competitive, which I think is a good thing.

Do you train with these cheaper weapons?

Not really. In practice, you use them occasionally, but it’s not something you can truly train for. It’s more about instinct and reacting in the moment.

If you could change something in CS, what would it be?

I’m not sure. I don’t have anything specific in mind right now.

Astralis secured a crucial victory over FURIA, eliminating the Brazilian team from the tournament and advancing to the lower bracket semifinals.. You can follow the news, schedule, and tournament results at the link.