Author: Sam "AN1MO" McKenzie

In an interview with INSITE, ESIC Commissioner Ian Smith has stated that more bans for coaches will be on the way. Although he couldn’t give a specific timeframe as to when these bans will become active, he did say that some of these bans will effect coaches with the tier one and two ecosystems. “There are a few who you would describe as actively employed above sort tier three. There are guys who will be banned and similarly with the other two or three bugs that that have now been exposed, we’re going to do those in batches. The one…

Adam “torzsi” Torzsas was heavily criticised for his performances on MOUZ while playing under Christopher “dexter” Nong. Now reunited with his former MOUZ NXT captain Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek, the AWPer has impressed thus far with his performances at IEM Cologne 2023.After MOUZ were eliminated by Astralis, we got the chance to talk to torzsi about the new lineups first couple of weeks together, the difference between playing under siuhy and dexter, and the optimum playstyle for him.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: A tough loss with you guys being eliminated by Astralis, how are you feeling straight afterwards?torzsi: I’m really disappointed and…

With the disappointment of the BLAST.tv Paris Major, you would’™ve struggled to find many people who weren’™t calling for the head of Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen, but just as he did at IEM Katowice earlier on in the year, the Dane has proved all the doubters wrong by guiding his team to another huge trophy at IEM Cologne.After G2’™s 3-1 victory over ENCE in the final, we spoke to HooXi about bouncing back, the team’™s early form at BLAST Premier Fall Groups, and why the current meta suits him so well.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: You’ve now claimed both the IEM Katowice…

G2 were the dominant force at the beginning of 2023, and while they may not have continued that form through the first half of the year, they’™re back with a bang at IEM Cologne.Now set to face ENCE in the Gran Final, we got to speak with Jan “Swani” Mueller about the team’™s semi final against Astralis, Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen’s calling, and ENCE banning Inferno.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: You’re through to the final, how are you feeling?Swani: I’m over the moon, it’s a dream come true for me to be in front of the German crowd in a Grand Final.…

Since joining ENCE, Guy “NertZ” Iluz has been a revelation. One of the stars as the team won IEM Dallas, he has continued from where he left off after the player break at IEM Cologne.Now into the Grand Final, we spoke to NertZ about the game, his performance, and the Israeli scene.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: Congratulations, you’ve made it to the final, how are you feeling?NertZ: I feel great, I’m happy that my teammates carried me this whole best of three. I’m really excited for tomorrow.BLIX: Are you disappointed with your performances today?NertZ: I’m really disappointed because I didn’t show…

After announcing himself at the RMR for the IEM Rio Major last year, it always seemed inevitable that Victor “Staehr” Staehr would find himself on one of the world’™s best teams. Now a part of Astralis, the team has blitzed even their own expectations as they now find themselves in the semi finals of IEM Cologne following a 2-0 victory against Heroic.After the game, we spoke to Staehr about his first time on stage, beating Heroic, and the form of Christian “Buzz” Andersen.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: It’s your first experience of the LANXESS, you won the Danish Derby, how are…

Astralis look a completely different outfit since Benjamin “blameF” Bremer has taken over as IGL, and not just because they have two new players. The best team in the world on Ancient, they also looked comfortable on Inferno as they took down Heroic 2-0 thanks to an incredible showing from Christian “Buzz” Andersen.After their quarter-final victory against their Danish rivals, we spoke to blameF about readjusting to the IGL role, his playstyle, and the crowd being on Astralis’™ side.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: You’ve taken the reigns of IGL again very recently, what’s it been like? Has it taken some getting…

Despite being such a new team, Astralis are already impressing having qualified for BLAST Premier Fall Final and the Playoff stage at IEM Cologne 2023.Following an intense series against NAVI, we spoke to Astralis coach Peter “casle” Ardenskjold about the game, the team’™s development, and being in the LANXESS so early into their time together.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: A crazy series there, how you feeling straight afterwards?casle: Pretty good, of course [laughs]. It was a good series.BLIX: It’s the second event with the new team, the first real tournament environment, how it’s all coming together so far?casle: I think now…

A relatively unknown player when he was brought into the fold, Christian “Buzz” Andersen struggled during his first season with Astralis. Now playing under a new IGL and in different roles, the youngster is beginning to show why Astralis saw so much potential in him while on MASONIC.Following their advancement from the IEM Cologne Group Stage, we spoke to Buzz about his development in the team, those new roles, and playing in a Danish Derby for his first appearance in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: You’ve made it to the LANXESS, it’s your first time there, how are…

ENCE finished the first season of 2023 on a high as they claimed victory at IEM Dallas. With an extended break, it was understandable they were concerned it might affect any momentum they would have otherwise built up, but given their place in the IEM Cologne semi-final, it’™s safe to say those worries were unfounded.Following their game against Heroic, we sat down with Eetu “sAw” Saha to discuss maintaining momentum, beaten the world’™s number one team, and the success he and Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer have at bringing tier two talent up.Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: A huge win for the team…