Xyp9x: "I love the Swiss format"

The countdown for the ELEAGUE Major is near the end as 2017's first Major kicks off on January 22nd. One of the favourites at the event is without doubt Astralis who currently hold a first place at the HLTV.org Ranking.

We have spoken to one of the players Andreas "⁠Xyp9x⁠" Højsleth who looks forward to play at the Major. He thinks it will be a tough first game versus GODSENT, but he expects Astralis to win the match.

The Danish player likes the addition of Lukas "⁠gla1ve⁠" Rossander who has brought leadership, calmness and structure to the team, and Xyp9x trusts his in-game leader 100%.

Besides that, he also says that he loves the Swiss format even though he never experienced it as a player. 

You are attending ELEAGUE Major as one of the favorites, but it is quite some time since you last were that. Does it feel different?

The last time we went to a Major as one of the favorites, was at Dreamhack Cluj - So yes, it has been a long time since we've been favorites at a Major. I feel more prepared about many things. At Cluj we were very confident, but as soon as we had a little bit of trouble, we had a hard time to get back up. This could be seen in the quarter-final against NiP in Cluj where we got crushed. This time, we have confidence and we know what to do if our game doesn’t play out as we want it to. We have worked with our sports psychologist for four months, and we've all learned a lot. We are much stronger now than ever before. Previously we lived in a house with moisture in the base but now we are building our own house with our own cement.

Your first match will be versus GODSENT who you crushed last time you faced them. Will the match end up the same way this time?

They certainly have their problems which they work on, but remember that they knocked us out of the WESG qualifier. The battle we won 16-3 online have nothing to say in relation to, that they beat us on LAN in Ukraine in a BO3. But yes, of course we expect to win the opening match against GODSENT.

What do you feel, that you especially have to be aware of when you face GODSENT?

There are a lot of things to be aware of, but the most important thing is, that we play our own game and make a few changes from what we’ve see them do. I put my trust 100% in Lukas and Danny, who have the plan in their head.

You have no idea who you will face besides GODSENT. Are you preparing differently for this Major compared to the other ones, where you at least know the three teams in your group?

We are preparing to meet the next opponent as soon as we know who it will be. It would be to shoot oneself in the foot, if we prepared for all the teams in the tournament. Well, some things you can prepare, such as the maps to play against different teams and stuff like that. But to watch demos of all the teams on the maps you think you will play is too difficult, and you lose the overview and the focus on the first match. Therefore, we’ll take it step by step.

What do you feel about the Swiss format, which will be used at this Major?

What do you feel about the Swiss format, which will be used at this Major?

I love the Swiss format. It's so exciting to see which teams will face each other, when they are turned into a lottery, and if one team loses, who do they come to face the next round and so on. However, I have only experienced it as a spectator, so I do not know how the Swiss format feels from a player’s perspective, but I am looking forward to try it. I think you will be able to feel the excitement when you are drawn versus your opponent.

gla1ve came into the team as ingame leader in the end of October. Do you feel that the team is ready to win a Major under his leadership?

We have made some goals about what we should come to fix before the Major, and we have achieved all these goals. Therefore, we stand really strong. I must admit, this is a weak answer to the question, but we have to wait and see what happens at the Major.

gla1ve has come up with new ideas and thoughts, but where can you especially feel those within your game?

Leadership, calmness and structure. These three things and more, is what he brings to the team. He is the perfect leader, and I have always admired him as a leader when he played in other teams before joining us. I will not go in depth with everything, but to have a leader who takes responsibility is important. Even if he "only" is the tactical leader. He has the respect of everyone in the team.

Which team will you prefer to face in the Grand Final if you make it there?

North. There is no doubt that we are archrivals, and there is no doubt that North is working hard to kick us down from the top 1 position we have right now. It's the perfect story line if you take in mind, what has happened in the Danish esport recently.

At the end; what are you looking forward to the most, at the upcoming Major?

I am excited to play and I am excited to see ELEAGUE run their first Major. They have undoubtedly been those, who have treated the players in the best way based on my own experiences from events. In addition, I am looking forward to see if we have as many fans present in Atlanta as we had in Oakland. The support was fantastic!

The ELEAGUE Major, which will take place from January 22-29, will hand out a total of $1,000,000.