Vitality star ZywOo shared his thoughts on the eve of BLAST Premier World Final 2024, where the team will have to defend the title without mezii - he will be replaced by JACKZ. ZywOo spoke to BLAST about new challenges, the importance of the tournament before the Major, and the team's state after the victory at IEM Cologne.
“Looking forward to Singapore”
“I feel good about BLAST Singapore. It will be a first for us, and it will be interesting not only to play but also to visit the city. It's always good to change locations, it gives you new energy,” ZywOo shared. Since this tournament is the last one before the Major, he believes that it will become a “checkpoint” that will show what level the team is at and what else needs to be improved.
JACKZ instead of mezii
This is not the first time Vitality will play with JACKZ. “We've already played with him at the Pro League, and he always brings great energy. His presence lifts the mood of the team,” says ZywOo. He added that it's not so much who plays for the team, but how they interact and play together as a unit.
Pressure of champions
Although Vitality is approaching the BLAST Premier World Final as the reigning champions, ZywOo noted that they do not feel too much pressure due to the player replacement. “Of course, we still have pressure, but the expectations are lower because of JACKZ. However, he is a great player and we can compete at a high level,” ZywOo emphasized.
Problems in crucial moments
Vitality faced problems in playoff matches after winning IEM Cologne. “We start the tournaments well, but when it comes to the playoffs and decisive matches, we make more mistakes. This is something we need to work on - maintaining communication, avoiding unnecessary risks,” ZywOo said.
Fighting against “inferior” teams
Amidst the defeats of HEROIC at IEM Rio and Eternal Fire at ESL Pro League, ZywOo admitted that the level of teams in CS2 has leveled up. “If you don't play 100%, you can lose to anyone. All teams have players who can shoot at the same level. We have to work on improving teamwork, and then we can compete with confidence,” he added.
New rules - new challenges
The rule changes for MR12 and the new economy in CS2 require additional attention. “MR12 may have changed the game a bit, but it is not the main problem. Now every round matters a lot, and one mistake can be decisive,” ZywOo summarized.
Vitality is approaching the BLAST Premier World Final with the goal of defending their title and continuing to work on their team play to avoid past mistakes and be ready for the upcoming Major.
Source: BLAST
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