Liquid.33: "We're probably in the best form"
Team Liquid was the runner-up in most LAN events they attended in the previous season. However, after a fifth-place finish at The International 2023, one of the players from Liquid retired. Fortunately, an opportunity arose when Tundra Esports' roster imploded after TI12. Team Liquid seized this chance and added a TI champion, Neta "33" Shapira to their roster.
33 joins Team Liquid. (Credits: Team Liquid)The addition of 33 also has its drawbacks for Team Liquid. Though they conquered their year-long nemesis, Gaimin Gladiators, the team faced new challenges. Their placements at LAN events declined compared to the previous season. In a recent interview at Riyadh Masters 2024, 33 reflected on what has changed and how Team Liquid tackled these issues.
33: "Everyone was super welcoming"
After joining Liquid, 33 had to sit out the first LAN event of the season, ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. As a result, Team Liquid had to play with a stand-in, Jonáš "SabeRLight-" Volek. The player expressed his feelings about it in his interview.
SabeRLight- standing in for Team Liquid at ESL One Kuala Lumpur. (Credits: ESLOne)" At the start, it was a little bit weird, mainly because the guys played a LAN without me in the KL because I couldn't go. So, we didn't get to play together on LAN for a while. I joined, we played in qualifiers, we had success, and then I joined for the boot camp, but I wasn't playing. So it was a little bit weird just because I'm not playing – not anything to with the guys. Everyone was super welcoming and made sure I fit right in. As soon as we started playing tournaments and being a team, everything fell into place for Liquid."
33: "Our boot camp was pretty successful"
While Team Liquid performed well at LAN events, their performance in online tournaments was lacking. They haven't left the group stage in their recent DreamLeague tournaments.
33 at a LAN event with Team Liquid. (Credits: ESL One)Fortunately, Riyadh Masters 2024 is a LAN event. The tournament is also played on a new patch 7.36c, which Valve recently released. When asked about the team's confidence, The player stated the team is in their peak form.
"We're probably in the best form we've been all year. I don't want to jinx us. I don't really come into tournament with expectations."
In his recent interview, Michał "Nisha" Jankowski, the midlaner of Team Liquid, admitted that they're saving many strats for the tournament.
33 also stated that before Riyadh Masters 2024, the team had a successful boot camp. Additionally, he revealed Team Liquid has been working their best, and they're looking forward to playing on the new patch.
" Our boot camp was pretty successful. Everyone has been working the hardest they have been all year; Everyone, I think, is really excited on play on the new patch. We had a good boot camp, and we're excited to see how it goes for us."
33: "Sometimes randomness just appears"
In his interview, 33 also discussed his evolution as a player. He revealed that he used to get stressed from tournaments and how changing perspectives helped him.
33 at PGL Wallachia Season 1, playing for Team Liquid. (Credits: PGL)" I remember I used to get stressed. But I guess you keep playing, and you played for so long; at some point, it just passes. Some tournaments are gonna go well, and some tournaments will go poorly, and that's just how it is. How much you stressed over and how much you really wanted to win, at the end of the day didn't end up making an impact on the result. It just comes with time. Sometimes, randomness just appears."
Recently, Liquid qualified for the playoffs at the Riyadh Masters 2024. In the previous season, the team finished as the runner-up at Riyadh Masters 2023. Hopefully, with the addition of 33, Team Liquid could secure their first trophy. Stay tuned to our website for the latest coverage of all the action unfolding at this year's iteration of Riyadh Masters.
Featured Image Source: Team Liquid
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