Twistzz: "People are feeling good, people are happy"

They weren't even supposed to be here at IEM Chengdu. The failure at the Americas RMR was a blight on the Liquid squad who were tipped to be one of the most exciting squads in 2024. With no Major and losing to M80 in the North American qualifier for Chengdu, it was going to be a long month with no officials for the organization.

However, roster issues plagued M80 which ultimately resulted in the international squad becoming a last-minute replacement. Liquid have now surpassed most expectations set for them as they not only came away with a few wins on the first day of competition, but have qualified for playoffs. Victories over HEROIC and G2, the latter of which made it to the semifinals of the 2024 PGL Copenhagen Major, emphasized that the squad's struggles might finally be behind them.

Following the victory over Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov's squad, Russell "Twistzz" Van Dulken spoke to Anastasija "Heccu" Tolmačeva about the victory, the decision to start on CT-side of Anubis, and how people are feeling now that they got a second chance at this event.

It took three maps, but I want to address the situation on Anubis. You could have chosen the side, and you decided to let G2 start on T-side, why?

We talked about it, we thought maybe the momentum from Ancient could carry us on CT-side if we played good. Theoretically, six rounds on CT-side should close it out, so we're definitely going to go over our T-side. I think a bit of tiredness could have played a factor, but we woke up for the third map.

So you would say that is not what lost you the map.

No, I mean six rounds on CT-side is tremendous on Anubis. I think any team would take that. It is what it is.

At the end of the day, you did close the series. Some teams are being called "onliners" as an insult, but for you it seems to be the other way around. When it's online, you're not really there, but now you managed to qualify straight to the playoffs. Is it about the environment on LAN that is extra motivation?

I think so. We didn't qualify for this event in the beginning and then we got the invite and we take those second chances. Two weeks online practice for us at home, people are feeling good, people are happy in their lives. We came here ready to play good CS with a second opportunity and I think we are making the most of it right now.

Liquid, through to LAN playoffs for the first time with this roster, are scheduled to play a seeding match against the winner of FURIA v. MOUZ on Wednesday morning at 07:30AM.