magixx: "We have to be ready to face ZywOo because he's the GOAT"

Spirit started the year with a bang heard 'round the world, an absolute blockbuster of a performance at IEM Katowice 2024. But, since then have yet to secure another event victory despite continuing to look like a top team. IEM Dallas represents a chance for Spirit to put a jewel in a potential crown, a potential dynasty being built before our very eyes.

Ahead of Spirit's semifinal game against Vitality, Dust2.us' Daniel "Scoobster" Khurgin spoke with Boris "magixx" Vorobiev about the team's form, mental, and outlook.

Spirit had an incredible peak at IEM Katowice, but a little bit of trouble replicating that form in the tournaments since. Do you think there's any specific reason for that?

Well, it goes from game to game. We've only lost three series this year and every match was kind of different. The losses were on different things, but you can bring it all under one name: some mental issues. It's connected with not staying calm during the games because you need to be ready if the game doesn't go your way. You need to be ready to lose some rounds and not get affected by it. That was the biggest issue probably in all of our losses.

You talked about the mental issues before, how are you guys trying to fix that?

There's a few ways, if you're losing a round or on a losing streak or whatever, you just need to understand that it won't help you if emotions overwhelm you. You should just stay focused and calm. You just need to believe that you play your best game while you stay calm.

Because this is another big event, not too many since your run at Katowice, and you have this chance in playoffs, is this your chance to show the world that Spirit is still the best team in the world?

It's not really about calling ourselves the best team in the world because we can't call ourselves the best team if we aren't beating three teams, MOUZ, FaZe, and Vitality. We've beaten FaZe, but when it was more important at the Major, we lost to FaZe Clan. We've lost to MOUZ twice on LAN. So far they're the better team. Talking about Vitality, we haven't played them yet and they have ZywOo. We have to be ready to face ZywOo because he's the GOAT. If we can consistently win against those teams, especially in arenas, we can call ourselves the best team in the world. Until then, we can't.

Speaking about that Spirit FaZe matchup, everyone's looking at this bracket and seeing a Spirit FaZe a grand final. Are you looking forward to that game? Is it something you're excited for or scared about?

Talking about the other side of the bracket, it's pretty obvious FaZe is gonna make the grand finals because they are clearly a better team than the others. About us, I hope we can make it. I expect facing Vitality because Heroic have a stand-in. In some way, that helps them, they have no pressure or whatever. They're playing well, good for them, but Vitality have ZywOo. It's an exciting match to play against him.

So far at this event, you've topped the scoreboard for your team, not donk or sh1ro. Is that attributed to anything?

Nah. It was just five maps, on some of them I had some good moments. Good scenarios, good reactions or whatever. There's nothing that's really helping me because it's just a group stage game. Where it matters the most is on the stage. I hope I can maintain some level like this.

In a recent interview, you said a little bit of break between events hurt you guys. With the player break coming up, is that something you're concerned about?

Not really. With the player break, everybody is in the same condition after the break. Everybody is kinda not ready. It's Cologne or whatever after, some teams are not ready. They need time to used to official games. The issue is that we had a huge break between tournaments while the season is ongoing. If you're on a break, you're not used to official games while the other teams are playing matches on LAN. You're used to only practice, so you need some time to adapt to the official matches on LAN after you have a break. That's where the other teams have an advantage.

So it's an even playing field after the break?

Yeah, it's exactly that. An even situation because everyone was chilling or whatever and it's more of who gets their form faster right after the player break.