Swedish number #1, powerhouses and no strangers to victory, fnatic will be pushing for the top spot and will definitely be contenders. Finishing second at the ESWC Masters the team will no doubt have gone back to the drawing board looking to fix those minor errors which cost them the tournament. Fresh from an excellent practice at Games Convention, are the leaders of Swedish CS 1.6 ready?
HLTV.org spoke to Patrick "cArn" Sättermon to see what his views on the upcoming tournament are, and without further ado HLTV.org present’s to you the fnatic interview:
How have fnatic prepared for this year's ESWC Grand Finals?
We´ve been playing 3 weeks, and the last week from Archi´s place.
Who would you most like to play in the tournament and why?
I'm really looking forward playing intensive matches, I don’t really care who that opponent is. But realistically, if we want to be successful in the ESWC we´ll have to beat teams such as MTW, MYM and SK.
fnatic has remained amongst the top 3 CS1.6 teams for the last 2-3 years. How have you managed to be so stable?
We got loads of experience from practicing and competing together. We get along well together, which is very important.
After having played at the ESWC Masters do you think this will help you at the Grand Finals?
It doesn’t matter to be honest; this is a completely different story which yet is not written. We finished 2nd in Paris, hopefully we can play another final in San Jose and hope for some better luck. I want that gold medal so bad!
How does the team prepare for an event like this, especially since you have played at other major events recently, how do you keep your opponents guessing with your tactics?
Obviously other teams are more or less aware of our tactics, we have been that team that been placing in the top for the last 2.5 years. In that aspect it´s a bit harder for us, but we´re considering this and try to adapt as much as possible. The good news is that CS is alot about aim and team play, not only killer flashes and super fakes.
Who does the clan's tactics? What is it like to carry that sort of responsibility? If it all goes wrong do you feel guilty?
To create new tactics all players have to understand the psychology behind it, all players should know each and everyone’s role.
Usually it´s me and dsn who is coming up with new things, but everyone has to have their input and thoughts about it, before we decide anything new.
After having a great interview with US team x3o, it seems that the US CS1.6 scene is coming back in full swing. What do you think about this and do you think x3o have the capabilities that the infamous 3D and coL teams had back in the day?
I don’t know really, back in the days there was lots of skilled teams from USA. CGS and CSS might have taken some of the talents. But of course, there is always fresh teams and players coming up, and I guess we have to see what they are capable of at ESWC.
Having been in the business for a while now, are there any regrets to becoming a professional CS1.6 player?
I try to never regret my decisions in life, but sometimes you just think; is it worth it? You are practicing a lot to stay on this level, so of course you are forsaking other parts of a "normal life". But who can define a normal life? I think you should go your own way and don’t think too much about what you are "expected" to do. Finally, I´ve almost only good memories from my gaming career, I´ve had the opportunity to travel to places I´d never had the chance to go to, and met new friends I´d never met if I not putting my heart and soul into the game counter-strike.
Who do you think will finish in the top 3 and do you think this year's Grand Finals will be a close tournament?
Ourselves, MTW and MYM.
The fnatic representatives are:
Oscar "Archi" Torgersen
The team is active at Games Convention these days, playing ENC 2008 finals and KODE5 CM Storm.
Check back tomorrow to see who we have left for the final interview installment. The other interviews can be seen by following the links below:
HLTV.org ESWC Interviews
- MYM
- mibr
- roccat
- Team x3o
