zakk qualifies for Major with Brazilian squad for the first time in 7 years: "Feels great"

Off of an incredible run at the PGL Copenhagen Major Americas RMR, with Imperial qualifying with an incredible average of just 3.5 rounds lost per map, Rafael "zakk" Fernandes, the team's coach, was feeling elated.

He talked with Dust2.us' Jeffrey "Mnmzzz" Moore about going back to the Major stage behind a full Brazilian squad, something that hasn't happened for seven years, the team's performance in Monterrey, and how fear helped the team prepare better for their opponents, ultimately propelling them to convincing wins.

Please note that the full interview can be found below on YouTube, while the transcript has some key snippets from their conversation.

Coming off of a win, and being the first American team to qualify for the PGL Copenhagen Major. How are you feeling right now?

Dude, I'm feeling incredible. We heard a lot of hate before coming to this tournament because we lost a tournament in Brazil, we didn't pay attention to the hate, just to the love and it feels great.

We saw what's probably the most dominant performance ever in an Americas RMR event. Were you guys expecting to come into the RMR with such dominant performances?

To be honest, no, because I know there are a lot of good teams here, I was afraid to play everyone, NRG, M80, but I think that fear also gave us strength because we prepared a lot for every match and we knew everything the opponent was doing. I think the fear helped us.

Making the Major now with Imperial, it's been seven years since your last Major as the coach of a Brazilian team. What is your feeling about leading a Brazilian team back to the Major?

Feels great. It feels great especially because of the newcomers, decenty, noway. [Sending] new players to the Major is hard to explain the feeling. I know it's their dream, I remember when I was their age playing tournaments like that and it's hard to put into words.