FL4MUS: "I plan to practice more to show that I'm a f*cking player"

The Russian rifler is chomping at the bit to get back on the server.

Timur "⁠FL4MUS⁠" Marev joined Virtus.pro after his performances in GamerLegion increased his stock immensely, but his stint in the storied organization didn't last long.

The 21-year-old was unable to replicate his form in his new team and found himself benched after just six months on the team, as a switch of positions greatly impacted his game.

He has now returned to the server at Majestic LanDaLan 3 with 9BOOMPRO, a mix comprised of benched players from the CIS region, and set his sights on showcasing his skill once again.

"I want to show that I'm not in a bad form individually, but I want to fucking note that I'm not in my peak form [laughs]," he said after the first day of action in Moscow.

Editor's note: This interview was conducted in Russian and translated by HLTV staff.

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FL4MUS, you were benched by VP after the Major. What was your reaction when it happened?

I expected that this could happen, because I wasn't showing my best game. I wasn't sure this would happen, but I was presuming that this was possible. So of course, I was sad, but not as much, because to a certain extent I was ready for this.

On that team, you were put in different positions that you were used to before. Was this a reason for your performance to not be as good?

There were many reasons, but I don't really want to go into this, so no comments.

Ever since you were moved to the bench, what have you been doing?

I was putting my life in place, all of its aspects. Now I'm back to intense practice, I'm trying to maintain my individual form. Also, since I'm not on a team currently, I want to work on my media side, so I plan to stream more after going back from this event. And also practice more to show that I'm a fucking player.

We're at LanDaLan, you're here with a mix 9BOOMPRO. How did it come together?

We were sitting with Sanya [shalfey], just invited the lads, everyone agreed, and that's it, that's how we came together. It was spontaneous, in a way. We looked up everyone who was benched, and this team has come together, nothing really to add.

What's the main thing for this event? It's a LAN and not a bad one.

I want to show that I'm in not a bad form individually, but I want to fucking note that I'm not in my peak form [laughs]! But this is my primary goal as a player. As a team, we of course want to win, show some good results, and enjoy the game. I want us to be playing and enjoying the game from our favorite job.

Yesterday you were able to win over Nemiga. Was this victory a pleasant surprise to you?

Not really. I knew that we could have won and we could have lost at such an event. There's no tier-one teams that consistently show their best game like Vitality, Spirit or Falcons. There are no unwinnable teams. We can win over anyone, although not with a 100% chance.

In that time period on the bench, did you receive any offers that you were considering?

There was interest from organizations.

Did you have interest in these offers?

No comment.

When VP picked up tO0RO from the academy, what was your reaction? If you were watching him, what impression did he leave on you?

Extremely positive one. I think he's got a big future, he's doing a good job. I liked how he has played, how he has found his place within the team and won them a few important games. If VP made the Major, then tO0RO's input would have been tremendous. He did a really good job in all these games where he put on all those highlights. He did a really nice job.

Did you think of his addition along the lines of "this could have been me"?

No, I don't have such thoughts at all, because what happened happened, and I try not to get hung up on things like that.

When do you count on getting back onto the scene?

As soon as I can. I would join someone even right now. A good team, on a good level. I'm confident that I have more to show, I want to play and I want to practice. This game makes my eyes light up. I really loved yesterday's atmosphere during the game. It's great, I like it.

But is there a realistic estimation, like "I need to wait until after the Major?"

No, I don't really know, to be honest. Can't say anything.

Your contract with VP is until 2029, and you're now benched. Does this term put any weight on you? Or does it not matter to you?

To me personally, not really. In any way, I signed the contract myself, I knew what I was going for, and it was fully my decision. I don't think it was a mistake, I don't think anything in the contract was bad. It doesn't put any weight on me, I will just keep moving as I know it. So it's streams and practices. I will be showing myself, and if I will be deserving of a chance, I will get it. And that's my attitude now.