[VOD] Pro League backlash, 2020 circuit changes, and BLAST Premier on HLTV Confirmed tonight with guests Carmac, apEX

HLTV Confirmed goes live on Twitch today at 20:00 , starting with a guest appearance from ESL's Michal "Carmac" Blicharz, followed by Dan "⁠apEX⁠" Madesclaire joining the show.

Timestamps:

0:18 - Introducing apEX
1:00 - Was removal of NBK tough decision to make?
2:20 - What was the biggest takeaway for apEX about 2019?
3:25 - Was there a clash in Vitality about a loss on the last Major?
4:56 - apEX talks about the motivation behind running own YouTube channel
6:10 - How important personal brand should be for young players?
7:47 - The goals of Vitality for the first months of 2020
10:15 - Who has the most potential to improve as fire power in the team?
11:30 - apEX on Dignitas being inspired by Vitality
12:22 - Why it's not possible to play a single role in CS:GO anymore?
15:38 - apEX's thoughts on the Major changes

Recent news
17:57 - apEX shares his opinion on the map update
19:40 - Are the changes positive?
21:50 - "From my personal view, at least, it's not changing much" - apEX on practicing on the updated maps
22:30 - "I'm confused why Valve are giving T's more things to do" - Striker
25:30 - "I think for me Mirage is T-sided map" - apEX
27:50 - apEX's view on Krieg and the overall gun situation in the game
29:18 - apEX on the economy changes

30:57 - Heretics invited to EU Minor Closed Qualifier
33:40 - Discussing the participants of EU Minor Closed Qualifier
36:02 - BIG, Dignitas run the Open Qualifier gauntlet

41:50 - ENCE's failure at ICE Challenge 2020
46:20 - "Objectively, [ENCE] were already on the downturn" - Professeur
49:55 - Reviewing Sergej's stats
53:37 - NBK-'s debut with OG
56:43 - NBK- calling the CT sides - can it be the issue?
59:33 - What is the highest peak of OG we will see?

1:04:01 - Is FaZe a contender at BLAST Premier?
1:07:47 - Vitality's group of death at BLAST
1:11:00 - Is it important to have a lot of official matches before going to bigger tournaments?
1:12:00 - Is apEX going to lose a single map in his group?
1:12:37 - Closing thoughts

The first hour of the podcast will focus on changes to ESL Pro League for this season and the backlash that came as a result of it, with ESL VP of Pro Gaming Michal "Carmac" Blicharz answering questions about profitability, Member Teams, and the relegation and qualification process.

In the second half of the show, our guest will be apEX and the discussion will shift to more in-depth talk about Counter-Strike, such as the map changes, ENCE's struggles, and Vitality's first tournament of 2020 - BLAST Premier.

Aside from the two alternating guests, HLTV Confirmed S4E9 will feature the standard trio of panelists: Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, and Milan "Striker" Švejda.

You can find the whole topic list below (pending changes):

Addressing EPL changes with Carmac (40 min)
- What caused the changes?
- Talking finances
- Advantages of "Member Team" status
- Relegation and (MDL) qualification to EPL
ESL's 2020 plans (20 min)
- Introduction of Major ranking events vs. Pro Tour
- Is the schedule overbooked again?
- ESL One Rio Major plans?
Hotseat with apEX (15 min)
- Reviewing 2019
- Growing a personal brand
- Goals for the year
- Thoughts on leagues and Major changes
Recent news (15 min)
- Dust2, Mirage, Train changes
- Heretics invited to EU Minor Closed Qualifier
- BIG, Dignitas run the Open Qualifier gauntlet
- Envy unveil lineup
ENCE ICE'd (15 min)
- What should ENCE do?
- Impressions of NBK-'s OG
BLAST Premier (15 min)
- Is FaZe a contender?
- Vitality's group of death

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