SumaiL: "It was fun to connect with the boys once again"

The group stages for PGL Wallachia Season 1 have concluded. The final day of the group stage features some upsets. The series between Shopify Rebellion and BOOM Esports was one of them. Shopify came to the tournament with two stand-ins. Both of them were TI champions, and the team displayed marvelous performance during the early stages of the tournament. 

Sumail and Artour at The International 2017, playing for Evil Geniuses. (Credits: Valve)

They even took a clean sweep against Team Liquid. Nevertheless, with elimination on the line, BOOM Esports defied the odds and sent SR packing. After their series, Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan, Artour "Arteezy" Babaev's former teammate, shared his overall experience.

Sumail: "Our low expectations went up a bit"

Playing with stand-ins often puts the team at a disadvantage. With a stand-in, teams re-strategize their game plan to benefit them and their stand-ins. However, with Shopify Rebellion, it was a little bit different.

Sumail was a 16-year-old prodigy at EG in 2015. (Credits: Valve)

Sumail and Arteezy had played together for four years. During that time, the players have established an incredible bond and synergy. Moreover, SumaiL had also worked with Shopify's coach, Kanishka "BuLba" Sosale, back in his Evil Geniuses days. He expressed the team had some low expectations going into the tournament with two stand-ins.

Nevertheless, when the stand-ins came, the team's expectations increased as one of the players was SumaiL, the player revealed. Unfortunately, Shopify Rebellion crumbled under the pressure and got eliminated.

" It was fun to connect with the boys once again, but I wouldn't say I already had low expectations. I think they did, but once we got here, it went up a bit, and it didn't turn out that way."

Sumail on Reuniting with RTZ

Arteezy at The International 2023. (Credits: Valve)

At the start of PGL Wallachia Season 1, Arteezy stated that SumaiL's skill level remains indistinguishable from when they played together. He also added that Sumail has grown as a player and has become more expressive. In his elimination interview, Sumail stated that he has a lot of fond memories with Artour from their days at EG.

" Old memories, playing together, talking together, good times in the practice room. A lot of old memories." 

Similarly, Sumail noted his former teammate has not changed much over the years. However, the player added that Arteezy tried to show he has changed more than he has in a good way.

" I think he has changed in some aspects, for sure, but not too much of a difference. I think he tried to show that he has changed more than he has, in a good way. I don't know how to explain it but in a good way"

Sumail on Nigma Galaxy Status

The elimination of Shopify Rebellion is also the end of the reunion of Sumail and Arteezy. Hence, Sumail will return to his current team, Nigma Galaxy. The player reveals that NGX is going through a rough phase, as the team is facing uncertainty with their players month every month. Sumail hopes they will find a suitable player before their next tournament. In the meantime, Sumail reveals that NGX will be boot camping.

"We're gonna go boot camp. We're going to boot camp in UAE. To be decided. I don't think we have a player. We are missing a player every month. So, we will have to figure something out."

Featured Image Source: Valve

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