Helvijs “broky” Saukants has achieved great success in Counter-Strike, despite being only 23 years old. With a decorated trophy collection and nearly five years on the FaZe Clan roster, broky is a seasoned veteran in the scene. As he prepares for ESL Pro League Season 19, we had the opportunity to sit down with him and discuss his thoughts on the upcoming tournament.
Daniel Morris: First of all, congratulations on your victory at IEM Chengdu 2024.
How did it feel to finally win a Grand Final after experiencing several losses in previous attempts?
broky: It was a great feeling to be back in the Final, especially after coming in second place so many times before. It was a new experience for me, as I hadn’t faced many second-place finishes in the past. I was truly happy that we were able to secure the win this time.
Credit: Adela Sznajder | © ESL
Daniel Morris: Your team has made it to the final of every CS2 tournament you’ve participated in so far.
What do you think contributes to this remarkable level of consistency?
broky: I believe our team excels by sticking to our game plan. There’s no secret formula, just a matter of playing to our strengths. CS2 seems to suit our team well, giving us an edge over our opponents. Hopefully, we can maintain our winning streak.
Why do you think CS2 is particularly advantageous for your team compared to others?
broky: We have players like ropz who are detail-oriented and constantly discover new strategies. Having dedicated individuals who work hard is crucial for our success.
Daniel Morris: We’ve heard karrigan express concerns about fatigue due to the team’s deep tournament runs lately.
Do you feel that fatigue has affected you, and if so, how?
broky: I personally don’t feel burnt out. We had a substantial break after Chengdu, so I’m feeling fresh and excited for the upcoming tournament.
How do you think the team dynamics have changed with frozen in the lineup instead of Twistzz?
broky: It’s a bit early to tell, as I had been playing with Twistzz for a long time and we knew each other inside out. With frozen, we are still in the early stages of building chemistry after five months. It’s a refreshing experience to play alongside a new teammate.
Credit: Joao Ferreira | © PGL
Daniel Morris: Heading into ESL Pro League Season 19, many consider your team the favorites in Group A.
Do you approach matches differently when you are perceived as the favorites?
broky: It’s important to recognize when you are the favorites in a match. However, in the current competitive landscape, any team can potentially beat another. Each team is skilled, so we must stay focused and not underestimate our opponents.
Are there any specific teams you are looking forward to competing against?
broky: We don’t have any specific targets, but I anticipate a challenging match against Astralis. They will be eager to seek revenge after our previous encounters. We’ll be prepared if we face them in the tournament.
Credit: Joao Ferreira | © PGL
Daniel Morris: If FaZe advances to the Playoffs, there will be a one-week break from official matches.
Do you think this break is beneficial despite potentially coming into the Playoffs cold?
broky: The importance of the break depends on the team. For less experienced teams, continuous play is essential. However, with our experience, a break doesn’t significantly impact us. We are well-prepared regardless of the timing.
Daniel Morris: Lastly, you have achieved numerous victories in recent years.
Looking beyond ESL Pro League, what are your aspirations for FaZe in 2024?
broky: In 2024, our goal is to secure the Major title that eluded us this year. We are aiming to reach the Finals and emerge victorious in Shanghai. That’s our big focus for the year.
