disco doplan: "We have what it takes"

Sitting in the mezzanine of the Fox Theater as a crew of workers set the stage for this weekend's ELEAGUE Major playoffs, Joakim "⁠disco doplan⁠" Gidetun gave us a rundown of fnatic's group stage play, and their feelings about drawing Gambit in the quarterfinals.

While looking down at the stage as it started to take shape, disco doplan also talked about his performances, which he hopes to improve in the playoffs, and what it feels like to play at a Major for the very first time.

To start out walk me through the feelings of the team in the group stages. It looked like you guys were in the 50/50 group of teams to make it through the group stage. How did you feel going into it?

We’ve been feeling really confident, although we had a rough start against G2. Our CT side wasn’t good at all and it made us lose the game, but when we came back the next day against North we were able to come back on T side despite another shaky CT. We felt really confident after that.

What changed between the first and second day? Are you relying on individualities and hitting shots?

I think we just hit our shots and played off of that and everything worked out. Teamplay and revenging fragging is one of the most important things. Of course, if one guy goes into a site and kills two people it’s great, but I think it’s mostly about getting the easy trades.

You guys are going to play against Gambit next. What were your feelings after the draw and are you preparing anything in particular?

The draw was one of the best we could have gotten and we’re just planning on playing like we have been during the last three matches of the group stage, which we won. We’ll try and veto correctly and try to hit our shots, and we’re pretty confident we can do it.

Do you think you have what it takes to go all the way?

Yes, I believe so.

You really think you have what it takes?

Yeah.

What will it take?

First of all, I have to step it up and play a bit better. If I can do that and the other guys play like they usually do it’s not going to be a problem.

And what do you think you need to improve, what will make you step it up?

I think I have to take more chances. Take more risks. I need to make sure I take the fight to them instead of letting them take the fight to me.

What about the tournament’s format, do you like the Swiss system?

Personally, I don’t really like it because you only play one best-of-one a day. I’d rather play best-of-threes because if you play poorly in a best-of-one you’ll probably lose while if you mess a map up in a best-of-three you can still show up on the next two maps.

What about the veto system? Do you think one team having the veto advantage is a good system?

I think it’s a little bit unfair because the team getting three bans basically chooses the map, and the side doesn’t really matter on most maps.

How has playing in your first Major felt so far?

Right now, it feels like the ELEAGUE season. But when we get on stage it’s going to feel like a Major. I’m not really sure how to describe it yet, it’s just so different from a Minor or a small tournament.

What has impressed you the most compared to other tournaments?

The biggest difference I’d say is the quality of the teams, because I was always used to tier two and tier three teams, and now it’s just a bunch of tier ones and tier twos. It’s a lot harder, but it’s also a lot more fun.

Now that your team has made it into the playoffs, I remember you saying you wanted to prove you belong at a Major (in reference to being a rookie in a Legend team instead of having qualified.) Do you think you’re getting there?

Not right now. I’ve been underperforming, but that’s going to change in the playoffs.