HEROIC have struggled recently with the absence of degster, but now that the AWPer has been granted his visa he can return to the server to play with his teammates once more.

His first game back with them, a 2-1 win against 3DMAX, was probably tougher than many would have expected it to be, and after the game we spoke to a tired NertZ about the boost HEROIC will now have with the AWPer back in the team.

Interview was taken and written by Sam "AN1MO" McKenzie

Another full BO3 for you there, how are you feeling afterwards?

It was tough. We were shaky starting on Anubis, the communications were so intense. We had our thoughts about our start and coming into this game, for me, it was disappointing, but we listened after the first game.

We took control after the first map though and it was good from that point on.

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Do you think it was tough because of the absence of degster recently or was that a boost for you?

Of course, we didn't practice for a long time, maybe even for two weeks. You can see that when we are playing, we aren't connected.

Were 3DMAX also tougher than you expected?

Yeah, but we did know that they were great players and that it wouldn't be easy. We had to play well to beat them.

Now that degster is here, does that mean the stand-in and visa issues are done for good or could the same issue happen in your next tournament?

I'm 100% sure it won't happen again until next year, so I'm relaxed about it.

With the time with him that you have lost, how long will it take to get up to speed?

I think we will need a month, maybe. We'll figure out a lot of things we're missing then.

Even though we haven't had a lot of practice I still believe we can go far in this tournament.