The rookie-filled roster of MAD Lions KOI defied all odds to make it to the LEC Winter Split Final. However, the European powerhouse G2 Esports ultimately proved to be too formidable for the Spanish side, besting them 3-1 in the title-deciding series.
Following the loss, I had the opportunity to speak with MAD’s mid laner Bartłomiej “Fresskowy” Przewoźnik.
Credit: Flickr / LEC
Esports.net: What was it like participating in your first major final?
Fresskowy: It felt great, but it really stings to lose. I think I underperformed a lot, especially in the last games, and it really hurts to lose because I believe we could have won. I’m really disappointed in myself.
Lee Jones: You had a formidable opponent with Caps as the opposing mid laner.
How did you prepare to face him in the series?
Fresskowy: We didn’t have much time to prepare due to playing three best-of-fives in a row. So, we didn’t have a clear plan as we only had 24 hours to prepare. Playing against Caps was great because I think he’s the best, so I could challenge myself. I believe I played fine in one game, but overall, I think I underperformed heavily.
Lee Jones: You mention the short prep time – your side also ended up playing 14 matches in the last three days.
How do you think fatigue had an effect on today’s final?
Fresskowy: I’m not really sure, as I need to be more calm and rethink everything, but it probably had some effect. I feel really tired now, but for me, that’s not even an excuse because there are tournaments like Worlds that we want to qualify for, with even more intense schedules. In general, the LEC Schedule is tense, so I think we need to get used to that tempo. Feeling tired at that moment is not an excuse for me, as I think it means I did something wrong.
Credit: LEC / Flickr
Despite today’s defeat, are you able to take pride in what the team has accomplished this split despite the initial impressions from outsiders?
Fresskowy: I’m proud of some things, but at the moment, it’s difficult for me to feel that way because I go really hard on myself. My expectations and my goal was to win, and I believe we’re capable of that. So, I’m not satisfied or happy after today even though we reached the final. Winning is everything for me, and I do believe we’re capable of doing it, so I’m not satisfied with what happened today.
For me, winning is everything. I do believe we’re capable of doing it, so I’m not satisfied with what happened today.
What do you think you guys need to do to take that next step and put up more of a fight against G2?
I believe it’s just a matter of time. I think we just need to put in the hours.
They have played together for like two years now, so they have more synergy. Of course, we do have some synergy because we have three players that played together last year, but I think if we put more hours in our practice and take it in a better way, then we’re going to catch up to them and beat them easily.
Do you feel you’ve disproved the doubters who didn’t believe you belonged in the LEC?
Fresskowy: In a way, yes, but I still think I need to improve a lot and I still didn’t show up at my best level. So… yes, people underrated us, but as I said, I don’t think I showed up at my best level. I think I can be way better than that, and I know I will be way better than that in the future.
Lee Jones: I saw your interview with Sheep Esports where you talked about having a really good routine and taking care of yourself. Do you think that’s helped you keep grinding beyond the normal ‘rookie’ age until you got your LEC shot?
Fresskowy: Yes, for sure. I do believe we’re a bit lazy in Europe, so we are all kind of more disciplined people in our team. And especially me, I have very strict routines because I want to win and I want to be the best. I want to compete internationally, not only in Europe. I do believe it’s very important to disconnect as well and take care of yourselves. That’s why we have psychologists, that’s why we need to try to disconnect every day by doing something else. It’s very dangerous when you overwork.
Credit: LEC / Flickr
Credit: LEC / Flickr
I think people overuse the word ‘burnout’ in Europe, because I think people are not even close to working as hard as in Asia, and very often we are saying we are burnt out or whatever just to make an excuse.
Lee Jones: I saw that you’ve been learning Spanish as the only non-Spanish player on the roster. Is there a plan for the team’s communications to transition to Spanish?
Fresskowy: I’m learning Spanish because I want to know it at some point. It’s very hard because I need to spend a lot of time learning it, but it would be nice because I have so many people that I know in Spain. I don’t think the comms would make a big difference, since everyone speaks English fluently in our team, but it’s just a nice addition to maybe understand people better and be more committed to the Spanish communities.
