Pre-KODE5 with cArn

A few weeks ago you returned from your Point Blank PR-trip in South Korea. Do you from time to time enjoy just doing something else other than just Counter-Strike?

Yes we went out a lot during nights and had delicious Korean food which I really like. We also did some shopping but nothing with cultural attribute, I guess we have to do all sights next time we go there!

You and your team succeeded in SEC at CeBIT. Did the break from Counter-Strike affect the preparations you should be having prior to KODE5?

It's really hard to predict our results, we tend to perform our best when we it´s really matters. We're having a lot of confident too but I would say it´s more about the team who are having a good day, they will win. Hopefully we can grab another (and third) title in Moscow, but as I said, it's hard to predict.

How will fnatic prepare for KODE5? Any special things you change prior to a big tournament like KODE5?

We are just playing from our homes, the team is spread out here, living in three different cities. On the other hand, it's nice to be home and having a social life after practice. Bootcamp can be good but I would say it's overrated.

fnatic is still ranked as the best team in the world. Do you personally feel you are the best out there right now?

As I said, we have a lot of confident and even that we have been ranked as the best team, which means that people try to adapt to us and copy our strategies we are still to be counted with. I’m really proud what we have achieved in the last 2.5 years. I'm aware of that everything has an end, hope we won't find it around the next corner!

You were the first team to qualify back in September, since then, many great teams have qualified. Will KODE5 be as exciting as e.g. ESWC and WCG, despite the lower prize-purse?

I don't really care of the prize money involved, it´s rather the teams attending, the better teams, the more pride and honor involved. However, I can agree that ESWC and WCG having more reputation but I really believe that Kode5 will be a name among these two giants in the future.

HellRaisers and a few more dark-horses have managed to qualify for KODE5 Global Finals. What are your thoughts about these teams, should they be feared or what's your general opinion?

HellRaisers who? Maybe I shouldn't say that, I might have to eat that up later. I don't really know much about these teams you are talking about. I guess I will build up my opinion about them in Moscow, and of course, it's fun to play new teams, it's good for the scene in general.

Do you think the vodka, caviar and the home-crowd rooting for the Russian teams; will help the team's cause upsets, as we saw at ESWC 2007 with GoodGame?

If they only manage to stay away from the vodka, at least Virtus.pro will be one of the team to be counted with, they are really good.