gla1ve: "Some players are considering leaving ENCE to join a new team, so their focus isn't entirely here
After the second day of BLAST World Finals, gla1ve's team ENCE lost 1-2 against Natus Vincere. Following the match, the Danish commander had an interview with HLTV.
Q: This was a fiercely contested match; you almost had the win but fell short in the end. How do you view this match?
Anubis was a tough one; we switched up some positions, but it didn't seem to work out well. Our attacking side was much improved compared to when we played against Apeks, but in this clash against NAVI, we lost some crucial endgames. Perhaps our current playstyle doesn't quite align with the current version.
Ancient saw us starting from a big deficit, but we managed to turn things around. I wasn't heavily involved in commanding the attack as we wanted to try a different approach, but unfortunately, with our limited training time, the new method didn't yield results. Fortunately, we held our ground on defense and managed to stage a comeback.
Q: The first half of Ancient seemed odd; we noticed minimal communication within the team during the game. Could you explain?
We tried to communicate, but I feel like no one truly grasped this map or had differing understandings. With limited training time, everyone wasn't on the same page. On the defensive side, everyone felt better suddenly; it was like we found a breakthrough, and simultaneously, we sensed that NAVI's tactics weren't particularly solid, which made it easier for us.
Q: Kuben mentioned that you perform well under pressure. Is that true? Or did you relax after being down 1-10?
Honestly, I'm not sure about the other players, but for me, pressure isn't a big deal. I just want to win and hate to lose—that's the reason. So overall, today wasn't a lucky day for us.
Q: How would you describe the team's current atmosphere?
We hope everyone in the team gives their best. Some members have great personalities, and we all enjoy being together, but uncertainty about the future from some individuals affects the team's atmosphere. Honestly, our training hours aren't extensive, but that's how it is towards the end of the season. Some train a lot, probably feeling a bit exhausted. I can relate because that's the life of a professional player. Let's see what the future holds.
Q: I'd like to ask about these rumors; when did these negotiations start? Did they affect your performance in the Elisa Masters Cup?
Certainly, they had an impact. We gave our best to perform well in the Elisa Masters Cup, but I know some players have started envisioning their future elsewhere. So, I'm not sure what's coming next. I can't say much, but I know some discussions are ongoing, and some players aren't sure about their future. Obviously, this affects the team's performance; we've tried our best, but evidently, it wasn't enough to win.
Q: From your perspective, as one of CS's most outstanding commanders, joining ENCE but facing personnel departures, how do you view this situation?
For me, it's definitely challenging. I really want to find a team composed of excellent players. I've talked with Snappi, and he gave high praise for the ENCE guys. Of course, it's saddening to see one or more of them leaving the team, but when I signed the contract, I knew there could be changes in the lineup. It's disheartening; I hope they can all stay, but the future is uncertain.
Q: If rebuilding is necessary, and you have to change one or more players, do you believe you can rebuild a competitive team?
Of course, it depends on which players we choose, but I believe Kuben and I have the capability to build a competitive and successful team. Many players currently have contracts, and the lineups for the Major and RMR will be locked in soon, so we need to speed things up. We'll do our best, and let's see how it goes.
