B8 Esports CS2 captain Andrij "npl" Kukharsjkyj, in an interview with Bo3.gg, talked about his transfer from Natus Vincere to B8, the team's prospects of qualifying for a major, commented on the state of CS2, and his time at NAVI. The conversation took place during the summer break in the professional scene.
Transfer and successes with B8
You spent just a week on the bench at NAVI and then almost immediately transferred on loan to B8. How did that happen?
It wasn't just B8 that approached me with an offer. There were a few other organizations as well. But B8 was more persistent than the others. They really wanted me to join them. The CEO [Ivan Mamchur] and the coach contacted me. We had a conversation about how everything would look, the structure, the roles, and a few other questions that were important to me. I had a choice, and I ultimately chose B8.
Which other organizations contacted you?
I can't disclose that.
As soon as you joined B8, your individual performance significantly improved, as reflected in the statistics. Do you feel more at ease at B8? What's the reason?
I definitely feel more at ease, for sure. Additionally, the level of the teams and players is lower than in tier-1, so it's easier to play. But overall, I feel that I'm playing more confidently, and it's definitely not just because we are playing at a lower level.
At the time of your transfer to B8, amster was the team captain, and the results, to put it mildly, were not great. How did you come to the decision that you should take on the IGL duties?
The whole team decided that it would be better if I became the captain. I already have some experience at tier-1, and I understand how to build the structure during a round, how to coordinate the players, which made it easier for us to play.
Do you feel confident in the role of captain?
Yes. The coach and I talked about it and agreed that if the IGL duties affected my individual play, we would look for another solution. But overall, it hasn't affected me much, and I continue to be the captain.
Do you look up to any tier-1 captains?
No, I don't follow anyone. Everything is based on my own experience.
How did you and the team react to r1nkle's departure to NiP?
I don't know how the team reacted, but I was a bit upset. On the other hand, I understood that it was a step forward for him, and in his place, I might have done the same. We had to find a replacement for him, and it so happened that NiP agreed to exchange players. It turned out that both r1nkle and we benefited from this, as our results improved. He also helped NiP become a better team.
He was replaced by headtr1ck. Is this an upgrade or an equivalent replacement?
At the moment, it was an upgrade because he has a lot of tier-1 experience. He added more stability to us. It also made it easier for me to fulfill the captain's role, as he often helps with coordination during the round. It's easier for the whole team to play when there's another experienced player who can make team decisions and isn't afraid to do so. But that doesn't mean r1nkle is a bad player. Headtr1ck just added more stability.
They are somewhat different. r1nkle has a more aggressive style, while headtr1ck is calmer. Did this affect your overall play style?
No. I wouldn't say that our play style changed significantly because we got a different sniper. Personally, I didn't feel any difference in the style of these two players. To me, they seem like two identical players.
The changes immediately worked in your favor. You seemed to play with new energy: you won two CCT tournaments and the Elisa Invitational Spring 2024. Is this the so-called "honeymoon" of the new roster, or have you finally found the right players?
I think it's a combination of both. We found the necessary players and synergy. We played a lot of tournaments and practiced. With each match, we played better and better. In three months, we played about 150 official maps. That's a lot. When you play so many official matches together, it's easier to fix mistakes. Over time, it became easier and easier to play.
You seem to be following in Monte's footsteps. Last year, they also started by grinding the tier-2 scene. Then they made it to the major and reached the playoffs. Do you think you can achieve something similar?
I don't know, it's hard to say right now. But I would like it to turn out the same. For this, we need to put in maximum effort and not relax. I think we can do it.
What are B8's goals for the second half of 2024?
When headtr1ck and alex666 joined us, the team's goal was to reach the top 30 in the HLTV rankings, get to a LAN event, and qualify for a major. We've already made it to a LAN, and we are a few places away from the top 30. For now, these remain our goals. We'll see what happens next.
Training Process and Preparation for the Major
How do you find the B8 organization overall? What are the differences from NAVI?
The difference is quite significant. NAVI is a large international club with extensive infrastructure and staff. They've been around for over ten years. B8 is a young club with a smaller staff and infrastructure.
How is your training process organized?
In general, it varies. We don't have a stable schedule because we've had many official matches in the past two months. Before that, we would gather at 12:00, play up to four practice games, have some analysis, and finish around 7 PM. That's our default schedule.
Which tier-1 teams do you practice with? Are there any you play with more frequently?
We play with different teams. We practice with all the top-10 teams.
Currently, due to Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the power is cut off several times a day. How do you cope with this? How does the war affect your training?
The war doesn't affect our training process because we are all in Europe. Headtr1ck is in the Czech Republic, and the rest of the team is in Poland.
How do you feel about alex666 playing in teams with Russians before joining B8? In his last interview, r1nkle condemned him for this.
I share the same position as r1nkle. However, it's his decision. In his place, I wouldn't have done it because it jeopardizes his career, and it's generally inappropriate to play with Russians when they are waging war against Ukraine.
How did you feel about electroNic and Perfecto when you played in NAVI? Did you discuss this?
I treated them normally because they clearly stated their position on the war, and it was okay for me at the time.
Currently, it seems you will receive an invite to the closed qualifiers for the RMR. Do you plan to gather for a bootcamp? Have you discussed the preparation plan?
Most likely, we will receive an invite to the closed qualifiers for the RMR, but we need to keep winning matches. There won't be a bootcamp before the closed qualifiers. We will gather for a bootcamp before the LAN in Finland. If we successfully pass the closed qualifiers, it will turn out that the bootcamp will be before both the LAN and the RMR. We will play the closed qualifiers from home.
How do you assess your prospects? Will you make it to the RMR?
If we continue to play as we did before the summer break, we should easily make it to the RMR. And at the RMR, we will have good chances to fight for a spot at the major.
About Counter-Strike 2
How do you feel about CS2 at the moment?
Honestly, I don't get distracted by it at all. I just play the game and that's it. I take CS2 as it is.
What would you change?
The only thing I would change is the MR12 system to MR15.
What are your thoughts after the Vertigo map update?
The map was completely ruined. It was already very hard to play. It was very random before and remains so now, but with an even greater advantage for the defense side. I think when the map pool is updated next time, this map should be removed because no one will play it. I would replace it with Cache.
Are you looking forward to the operation? If it is added in the near future, what would you like to see in it?
I'm not waiting for the operation. But if it is added, I would like to see missions like in the old operations. When there were interactive and cool operations — that was interesting.
Period in NAVI
Let's go back to your time in NAVI. How did it feel to be promoted from the academy to the main roster?
I don't remember my emotions exactly, but I was definitely happy. I even called my mom and told her that I was offered to join the main roster. It was still unclear whether they would take me or not. I was called and told to come to the tournament, and maybe I would play a map there. Later, they said that we might play with a six-man roster, but it didn't work out. Then it happened that I just became the fifth player.
How do your parents feel about your passion for Counter-Strike?
They always treated it calmly. They just wanted me to do something else besides playing CS. But now they fully support me.
What went wrong? Why couldn't you secure a spot in NAVI?
At that time, I clearly didn't play as well as I do now. I think I wasn't ready to play in NAVI's main roster then. If I had been given more time, maybe things would have changed. I understand that I played poorly back then and sometimes got nervous. Maybe I lacked experience.
Did s1mple pressure you during your time in NAVI? During broadcasts, it was seen that he addressed you negatively several times.
At those moments, I understood him, and there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone wants to win, and everyone has different emotions during a match. It didn't affect me at all.
How do you feel about the new NAVI roster? They won the major quite quickly.
At first, I thought they got lucky. They had the two worst players of the tournament — Aleksib and iM, who played their best match in the final. But then I reconsidered and realized that they played well as a team, and everyone stepped up when needed. They won, and nothing else matters. Winners are not judged. They played very well as a team and fully deserved that victory.
Do they need s1mple? If so, who would he replace?
I think he wouldn't fit into this team anymore. They have a good roster now. Some players play better, some worse — that's normal. There's no perfect team. Personally, I don't see s1mple in this NAVI.
What about you? You are still under contract with NAVI. What are the chances of you returning to the home club? Maybe even as an IGL?
I haven't considered this option. But if there is such an opportunity, I definitely won't be an IGL. Being a captain in B8 and being a captain in NAVI are different things. Here, I am one of the most experienced players, but if I move to NAVI, I will hardly be the most experienced.
Finally, a few words to the fans before the official matches resume.
I want to thank everyone who follows us and supports us. Recently, there has been a lot of support towards us — it's very nice. We follow this closely and appreciate it. Thank you.
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