The inaugural season of the BeNeLux League recently concluded its online stage, and the top four teams are now preparing for their LAN finals this weekend. We sat down with the captains of Team Demise, Big Guns, Flash Point and Thrust Gaming to see how they feel going into the LAN event.
How do you and the team feel going into the LAN finals?
Theo: Team Demise
We feel amazing and privileged to be able to attend the LAN finals. We couldn't be more ecstatic about the fact that we made it at the last possible moment.
Staed: Team Demise
I think that our hard work during the league has payed off, everyone has put in a lot of dedication into strats, scrimming and counter stratting. Were all extremely happy to represent Team Demise at the BeNeLux LAN.
Craxan: Trust Gaming
We're very excited to play at LAN with this new team, since we're all from different teams (Snuf from initio, Avaiche used to be in a team with Sejinex, and I played for FP). But since we all have LAN experience, I feel very confident about my team and I know they do too!
Ma3lish: Big Guns
We didn't expect to go to the finals, because we didn't scrim and do not play as much as the other teams in the league did. So for us it's a big enjoyment to be a part of the 4 teams going to LAN.
Deox: Flash Point
I think we feel pretty confident going into the event, we are working pretty hard together to get to the point where we wanna be as a team and as individuals. Since this game is all about team play we focus a lot on getting that sorted out.
What does this opportunity mean for your team?
Theo: Team Demise
For the team this means that we can prove to ourselves and the audience that we deserve to be on the stage next to other amazing teams.
Staed: Team Demise
It would help us getting to know each other more, and thus increasing our performance.
Craxan: Trust Gaming
We want to prove that we have what it takes the best, by winning this LAN we'll be the best in the BeNeLux region. After that we will take our next step by taking on the CL qualifiers and hopefully be the 1st BeNeLux team in Challenger League!
Ma3lish: Big Guns
For us the most important thing was if we had a team chemistry in PC as well, because we played 3 or 4 years long together on PS4 and we won many leagues there as well, [including] 1 Major League [on the] PS4.
From the LAN we will see where we are headed because we still need a org or a sponsor to continue our growth.
Deox: Flash Point
It's hard to say since this is pretty much the first big BeNeLux league, and how people see it. It's just a regional thing nothing major.
Do any of the members have previous experience at LAN?
Theo: Team Demise
Kabouter has been to lan once coming second in the first season of the Benelux finals last year. Staed has also attended LAN once, also in BeNeLux.
I have gone to LAN 2 times now. The first time was with Maestro Esports alongside Kabouter and came second in the first season of the BeNelux finals. The second time was with Deus Esports, where I became a BeNeLux champion in the second BeNeLux finals.
Craxan: Trust Gaming
Yes, Snuf has played at every BeNeLux LAN (3 times, won twice and came 3-4th once). Avaiche has played the BeNeLux LAN twice and got runner up once and placed 3-4 the last time. I have played at the BeNeLux LAN twice too and came in place 3-4 twice. Leonski has played once at the BeNeLux LAN and came 3-4th place. Leonski and I played at that LAN together under Triple Play. Aizy will be substituted by Santos due to personal issues, though Aizy will come to LAN. Santos played for Auxilium previously and has attended the last LAN where he came in place 3-4. (Note that Every LAN till this one had 8 teams). So everyone had at least one LAN experience. Snuf, Aviache and I have also played some showcase matches.
Ma3lish: Big Guns
Nobody has LAN experiences because we all switched from PS4 to pc 6 months ago, so this is gonna be everybody's first LAN but everybody is excited about it!
Deox: Flash Point
Yes matter a fact we do, as a team. I personally [have] previous LAN experience in CS (Counter Strike) as well as in Rainbow together with FML played first 2 seasons of BeNeLux which we both won. For Maunikrip he was with us at the previous event, (but) when it comes to Deapek and President this will probably be their first LAN event.
Image provided by @Hap_R6
What do you think will be different from playing at home to playing on LAN?
Theo: Team Demise
The only thing different will be the pressure from the audience that are watching live on the stream. Also we will be a lot more hyped.
Staed: Team Demise
On LAN there will be alot more pressure, the earbuds and the noise canceling headset putting pressure on your head. These circumstances make performing on LAN a lot harder.
Craxan: Trust Gaming
The number one thing is the pressure, it's one of the hardest things to train and work with. But since we all have experience at LAN we won't choke as hard as first timers. Plus the crowd that will be there will give even more pressure. And of course we won't have the pleasure of playing with our own pc's and monitors. Since I play at 240hz and at LAN its 144hz it'll be a slight downgrade for me. For me personally I need a few rounds to get rolling with the pressure because of my IGL role, but once I get into game it's GAME TIME.
Ma3lish: Big Guns
Don't really know what the difference is gonna be but we are very glad to make it to LAN. I think the biggest difference is that at lan there are a lot of people around you watching the game but it also will give us extra motivation to play even better!
Deox: Flash Point
Biggest difference is the atmosphere when you at home you more comfortable if that makes sense and at LAN you are pretty much in a unknown environment.
How are you preparing for it?
Theo: Team Demise
We are preparing by playing with earplugs daily since they are mandatory. We are also preparing by playing a lot of scrims.
Staed: Team Demise
Were starting by practicing the new format and using earbuds at home.
Craxan: Trust Gaming
We're scrimming, practicing, evaluating almost everyday. Scrimming Tier 1 (Millenium) and 2 teams for the best possible practice. Our 2 coaches are working their asses off to get us dialed in for the big day. And of course they'll be standing behind us at LAN (both are still to be announced).
Ma3lish: Big Guns
To be honest our team didn't prepare for anything, even with the league starting until the end, we never scrimmed we never played together, only on Wednesday when the league match would start and we ended as the second team of the league so I think that says more than enough for the potential of our team. If we really would focus and train we could go far in Europe as well! Before this LAN we are not going to do anything special; the only thing is at the LAN we will go to the new format so we will train a little bit to get used to the new format.
Deox: Flash Point
Well to keep it simple we pretty practice a lot against other teams and we rewatch our vods and write stuff down so we can improve even more. When it comes to the other 3 teams that are competing we watch all there matches and wrote down step by step how they play and what there way of thinking is according to gameplay that is of course.
How do you feel about your opponents skill?
Theo: Team Demise
We feel privileged to play alongside many good players and friends we have met during our time in the BeNeLux league.
Staed: Team Demise
Our first match versus Big Guns will be hard, but we have beaten them before (week 7 to be exact). So we can do it again. Now we know how they play and how we can counter them. The match GTX vs Flashpoint will most likely see GXT winning the match. Even though I would love for FP to win, GXT is just a lot better than then. GXT will be our main opponent, the final will be hard. But I think we can beat them.
Craxan: Trust Gaming
We never underestimate anyone, we'll go with a clear mind into every match. But of course we will come prepared and have counter strats at the ready. In my opinion Big Guns is the team to beat, because they play very ranked like and unpredictable which is always hard to beat.
Ma3lish: Big Guns
We don't really look to the opponents skill everyone has is own special skill in this game buth the most important thing in siege is teamwork if there is no teamwork you can't get anywhere, so for us we don't really care about other people's skill.
Deox: Flash Point
Personally I think all the teams going to the event can take it home skillswise everyone pretty close to each other so will all depend on who is gonna show up that day.
Catch the LAN finals live on Twitch here on Saturday 30th June at 14:30 CEST.
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