NAVI continues to dominate, securing a spot in the IEM Cologne semi-finals at LANXESS. We caught up with Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy before the playoffs.
Credit: ESL
Bruno: Congratulations on reaching the semi-finals. You only dropped one map to SAW along the way.
How do you assess your team’s performance up to this point?
b1t: I think we’ve been performing really well. Our individual and team play have been strong. We’ve been putting in a lot of work and it’s paying off.
Bruno: Mirage seems to be a strong map for your team. What makes your playstyle shine on Mirage?
b1t: We’ve played Mirage extensively and analyzed a lot of gameplay. Every game has helped us improve and refine our strategy on that map. There’s always room for growth, and it comes down to knowledge and learning.
Bruno: You’ve been excelling individually, especially after the summer break. Do you attribute this to personal improvement or the team’s synergy?
b1t: It’s hard to pinpoint. It’s a combination of factors and teamwork that’s contributing to our success.
Bruno: Winning this tournament would hold special significance for you. Why is that?
b1t: Every player values such events greatly. Winning would be a fantastic achievement and bring me immense joy.
I remember a particularly painful loss to FaZe Clan in a Grand Final that went down to the wire. Those moments make tournaments like this incredibly important.
Bruno: NAVI looks incredibly strong right now, reminiscent of the Major-winning team from 2021. How do you compare these teams?
b1t: Every team is unique because of the individuals that make it up. While there may be similarities, each team has its own identity.
Bruno: With the success after s1mple’s break and w0nderful joining the team, do you believe a similar outcome would have been possible with s1mple?
b1t: Speculating on alternate scenarios is not productive. I focus on the present and the team as it is now.
Bruno: Qualifying directly to the semi-finals can have its advantages. Do you see it as an advantage for you?
b1t: Starting in the semi-finals means fewer matches to win the tournament and allows us time to prepare for our opponents. It’s definitely a positive situation for us.
Bruno: On the opposite side of the bracket, there are Vitality, FaZe, and SAW. Which team would you prefer to face in the final?
b1t: Our focus is on qualifying for the final first. Facing Vitality would be interesting since we haven’t played them this year. As for FaZe, we’ve had some intense matches against them in 2024.
Lastly, what’s your favorite Cologne moment, either playing or watching?
b1t: Winning in 2021 holds a special place in my heart.
Bruno: Thank you and best of luck.
Vitality ZywOo at IEM Cologne: “I like to see other people grinding to be better than me”
