Europe has suffered its share from reverse sweeps at international events when Fnatic was taken down by TOP Esports in the Worlds 2020 quarterfinals. Now, with the first reverse sweep from a European team, BDS advanced to the Swiss stage by taking down PSG Talon.
We spoke with their coach, Adrien “GotoOne” Picard, about the emotions during the 5-game series, facing JDG in the first match of Swiss and drafting when there is an Adam on your team.
Aykut Sapaz, BLIX: Hello, GoToOne. Thank you so much for being here with me today after your reverse sweep victory against PSG Talon. I know emotions must be running high right now, but how were you guys feeling the moment before the third game? Can you describe it to me?
Adrien “GotoOne” Picard: I mean, it was really hard at the start. We weren’t sure of what was happening, but we came into game three with a really chill mindset, having fun, and just trying to enjoy the games and free ourselves to do more proactive stuff with another draft plan. So, we were okay. But during the game, it was a bit hard to know exactly which side it would go. Then, the players started to feel it. We could hear that they started to really enjoy it, be more expressive and play their style. I think when everyone got into this mood, that’s when we started to really believe, “Okay, if we win game three, we can win it all. So let’s go.”
BLIX: Yeah, in the comms, Adam said, “We need to win one, and they will lose the other two.” That was the best quote I’ve heard during this event so far. How was it at the end of game five when you’ve actually done it? How was that feeling?
GoToOne: I mean, it was crazy because I think it’s my first reverse sweep in my career. It was like crazy, and last year, when I was in LFL, I was already with Sheo and Crownie and we were losing game fives every time. So, this one is the first one that we actually won, and I mean, the adventure of coming here and doing it at Worlds stage, it’s just a crazy thing. It’s just crazy.
The BDS roster was euphoric after completing the reverse sweep (Image Credits: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)BLIX: I can’t even begin to guess how that must feel, but yeah, you guys just came out of an amazing series. Did you expect the series to start the way it did? Did you expect to go down two games, or were you expecting an easier challenge?
GoToOne: I mean, personally, I was not sure exactly because we were like spamming games for three days in a row, we were hitting our heads against different opponents every day, and we didn’t have time to completely scout and refresh between both matches. We were confident at the very start that we could beat them. But I think, once again, they were really, really good, and they came well-prepared for sure. They did a really good job in game one, and in game two as well. They read us perfectly, I would say. But after that, we bounced back with good adaptation, a good mindset, good mental. I think everyone didn’t want this year to finish just yet, so there we go.
Drafting GODS versus gods
BLIX: Absolutely, everyone wanted to stay on that stage. It’s just so good. Now, when people think of BDS, especially around this time, they think of Adam. I have to ask, as the coach, how does the draft process work? Does it revolve around him, or is he a wild card that you can play with any composition? How does that work?
GoToOne: I think it really depends on the opponent. For example, today, it’s not a secret that Adam’s champion pool is working well in the playing stage because those players are not ready to play against exotic champions, so they don’t know the matchups. You could see in game one and two that he knew the matchups, so we didn’t create any leads on top. Then, we started to build the drafts around Adam’s champion pool, and he started to struggle really hard.
But I don’t think this strategy works against LEC teams. No disrespect, but when you play the same teams throughout the year, they know his champion pool, so it’s a bit harder to pull it off. Even against JDG, it might not work as well as it did today. You need to use it for sure, but you also need to understand how and when to use it. Otherwise, you’ll trap yourself, and it cannot work every time or in any draft. You still need to think about it.
BLIX: Exactly, it’s like a surprise factor. If the opponent doesn’t know how to play against Garen, for example, and Garen is only an option because Adam is good on Garen.
GoToOne: Exactly, yeah.
The JDG roster is considered one of the favorites after their MSI 2023 championship (Image Credits: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)BLIX: That’s very interesting to see actually happening in pro play. And as you said, you’re going to be playing against JDG. What are your comments on that matchup because it’s going to be a very, very interesting match to see.
GoToOne: I mean, the funny part is, we studied a lot of concepts from them this year. So, you can’t tell your players to play like JDG when you’re playing against JDG, so that’s going to be like a really fun moment and a really interesting match.
I mean, for sure, we’re the underdogs. I will not be the cocky guy and say we’re going to smash them or whatever, but we can probably surprise them still and have a good showing. That’s what I’m looking for, obviously. I want to stay positive and say we can win, but it’s going to be really, really, really hard. So, we’re just going to do our best and fully enjoy the moment and go as far as possible.
If it was easy, it wouldn’t be as fun to see when it happens
BLIX: We will see if the students can beat the master. I’m excited about that, and it makes this matchup 100% more interesting. Yeah, we’ll see how JDG will respond to their own tactics. As for the other European teams, how do you think their drafts went for them?
GoToOne: So G2 got DK. Fnatic got LNG, and MAD got C9?
I think MAD will beat C9. I think Fnatic versus LNG, I think Fnatic can win. And G2 against DK’¦ I think G2 will win. I think EU teams will win. That’s my prediction. I think it’s a good draw for Europe. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I have faith in my counterparts from Europe. So, I think we’re fully behind them, and I believe everyone can win. We just need to put in the work. Let’s go!
BLIX: I love seeing region solidarity, and if it was easy, it wouldn’t be as fun to see when it happens. Hopefully, we’ll see how far European teams and BDS can go in the tournament. Was there a specific team that you wanted to face before the drawing, a team that you really wanted to play against?
GoToOne: I mean, from just a drawing perspective, NRG would have been the best team to draw, the weakest team on paper. So, we were hoping for this one. But after that, it’s only banger teams like JDG and Gen.G It’s all insane matches. I think we were looking for NRG for tournament purposes, but right now, we’re just like, “Okay, it’s fine.” We’re going to, as you said, try to beat our bigger brothers and try to do well. That’s it.
Adam “Adam” Maanane sends kisses to the crowd (Image Credits: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)BLIX: Yeah, we will see how that goes. I had more questions, but apparently, we’re running a bit short on time, so I’ll just ask a final question. Do you have anything to say to BDS fans who were very excited, as we’ve seen in Medic’s tweets this morning? Do you have a message for them?
GoToOne: Yeah, I think, like, just thank you, guys, for following us. I think it’s been crazy this year, and, like, right now at Worlds, I think, especially because we’re in Korea, and then we can see the favor’I mean, what do you say it like’um, whatever, like, just how excited people are for us and how strongly they are cheering for us.
I think it’s just insane to be here, so I’m really, really happy. And, yeah, like, I just thank you, guys, for keeping sending your strength and sending those good messages. And, yeah, I think, once again, we made it today because there are many people behind us, and we want to keep going because of you, I think.
BLIX: Thank you so much for your time, and good luck in your match against JDG.
GoToOne: Thank you very much!
