Note: This article is a text summary of the EDward Gaming vs. G2 Esports post-match press conference. The full video press conference can be found here.
How did it feel going against nobody today, seeing as he is the new IGL for EDward Gaming and has taken up the role quite recently? What do you make of his calling, and how was your experience going against him?
valyn: "I give a lot of props to him. I think since he picked up the IGL role, EDG has looked a lot better. I knew going into this match it was going to be very difficult. In previous events, they haven't had the best placements or the best macro, but after watching their games in China and their matches leading up to this one, I noticed a lot of improvement in their macro. So, props to him, he's good."
Analysts have joked that it takes you and your team kind of take one map to "download" your opponent and their gameplay before you adapt and adjust. Given some of the rocky map ones and consistent map three wins, do you think this metaphor is true? If so, what were some of the big takeaways about EDG that you used to turn the series around in maps two and three?
valyn: "I would definitely say it's true. If we end up winning a map, then I'm very confident that we're going to close the series. Going into map three when the pressure is highest, people start to make more mistakes, and that's when the best comes out of us. Sometimes map one, whether it's problems out of your control or maybe they have a better game plan, just puts you out of flow. We have to ease into the game, and we know each series is a long process. Just because we have a rough start doesn't mean the next two maps will be bad for us. That's when we shine the most, easing into the game and warming up into it."
Can you walk us through any key moments or plays that shifted the momentum of the match in your favor, especially on the defensive side on Bind?
JoshRT: "It's been a blur honestly, but I feel like that round where valyn went out of Hookah and was able to get that 3K kind of stopped our bleeding on defense and turned it in our favor. I don't remember the exact score, but I remember it being a crazy play. valyn's highlights and taking over the game proactively put a stop to what EDG was doing."
We know it was a very close game because EDG is a strong team. What aspect of EDG's gameplay did you find most difficult to counter, and how did you adjust your strategy to overcome this challenge?
JoshRT: "I thought their attack was excellent. The calling from nobody was really good in terms of putting us in difficult situations. They were able to do really strong executes and a lot of little fakes, ending in the late rounds similar to what we do. Having all those different styles put against us, especially on Bind, made it really tough for us, so we had to be a little more proactive to stop that."