Maniac: "ScreaM lacks many qualities"

Adil "⁠ScreaM⁠" Benrlitom is widely considered to be one of the best aimers in the game, even though that did not prevent him from being released by Titan in August, when the team underwent a triple roster change.

Following Hovik "⁠KQLY⁠" Tovmassian's VAC ban, many believed that the team would re-sign ScreaM, who admitted that he would jump at the chance to return to his former team.

But instead Titan decided to bring in former VeryGames member Cédric "⁠RpK⁠" Guipouy, who had been inactive for almost two years.

Questioned about ScreaM's snub, Mathieu "⁠Maniac⁠" Quiquerez acknowledged the Belgian star's talent but stated that the Epsilon member was simply not a viable candidate.

"We definitely have big respect for ScreaM," Quiquerez told Aftonbladet.se. "He is obviously a great player and a big time talent.

"But he lacks many qualities you need as a professional player for a team as a whole.

"My teammates have already played with him, and when KQLY was disqualified it was quite clear that ScreaM would not be the profile needed even though his firepower is unbelievable – everybody knows that.

"You have to think about the big picture, like the strategical point of view, psychological point of view, clutch situations, dedication and all that stuff.

"It was clear right from the start that we needed to take someone else.

"With that being said, it’s a shame what is happening to him right now with Epsilon because he would totally deserve a very good team.

"But it was never a discussion to bring him on the team."

And while EnVyUs are Titan's biggest domestic threat and the team to beat at IOS Pantamera on Saturday after winning DreamHack Winter and MLG X Games Aspen, Maniac still believes that his team's biggest rival is NiP.

"One would probably think that EnVyUs would be that, considering they are French," he noted.

"But I would say that our biggest rival is NiP. They have beaten me so many times in tournaments and it has always been awesome matches.

"To beat them in a grand final would be fantastic since they have this great past with so much success."