kuben: "Our main goal is to win competition, not being happy for getting out of group stage to playoffs"
Virtus.pro coach Jakub "kuben" Gurczyński on VP year and wishes for upcoming 2018.
This year was full of extremes for your team. Starting from great victories ending on big disappointments. What conclusions accompany you at the end of this season?
There is nothing to hide – this year was the hardest in long history of this team. After delightful begging we jumped into three loses in a row, where we even didn’t manage to get out of a group stage. We got confused in all of that. One thing is certain, we were not looking in place where we should. In new year we will back to a system that gave us worldwide top3 that we had during end of 2016 and beginning of 2017. Our main goal is to win competition, not being happy for getting out of group stage to playoffs.
Which tournament you suffered the most.
I know, that each of us suffers after dropping out of games in his own way. What hurt me the most was IEM Katowice and losing to Heroic in the last group stage match with score 14-16 . Because of that we couldn’t play in Spodek. Second harming tournament was PGL Major in Krakow. Second phase of group stage wasn’t as easy as in Atlanta’s Major, but the more we got the more we wanted. After winning such an amazing quater final with stunning polish crowd behind, we wanted to show ourselves even in better shape in next games. It turned out that wind that pushed us hours before didn’t help us to win in semis. We failed all of our fans.
Which tournament you will remember the most?
With no doubt it was tournament at Greece island – Mykonos. Full chillout, amazing weather, delicious Mediterranean food… We were only luck of advancing to finals.
In what direction you want to lead your team as a coach. What do you want to change, what do you want to work on?
In direction of tournament wins! I won’t share my plans publicly for upcoming period, but to be honest competition on the scene is getting higher. Couple teams from tier2 appeared and they have aspiration to get into top10. For sure it won’t be easy, but we like to work hard, and even more to bounce back to top!
Has playstyle of pro teams changed during last year?
Gamestyle hasn’t changed so much. We are still playing same maps, in which there are certain rules and schemes that are needed to be played. You can surprise opponent with new plays, but most of pros prepare their plan according to previous games of there rivals.
How do you think what were the best transfers and which were the most ineffective ones on pro scene.
For sure FaZe is the most interesting case. Still, I wonder how long it will last. Team that consists of stars is more likely to fall apart. I think that after couple loses, they will start looking for luck of skill at e.g. Karrigan plays.
You have no tournaments in December, such months are very rare for you. Is it hard to change mindset from often travelling to calm home life?
I have no problem with that. When you leave house twice a month you have to get used to such intensity. It is harder to get back to work after such a long break.
Do you have any unique Christmas tradition at your home, that without you can’t imagine Xmas?
I can’t imagine spending Christmas period without my home and family. I felt this once couple years ago and I never ever would want to repeat that.
Tell us what are your Christmas chorus at your house.
If we speak about cooking, I won’t hide that I am not a TopChief, so what can I do is to help my wife with shopping and I will take care of our daughter. My prime duty is to clean the plate from each small crumb after having all tasty goods on it.
Couple word for fans due to upcoming Christmas and New Year!
Simple Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Author: Asia Marks