s1mple: "I'm so thankful to FaZe Clan and all the players that they gave me this chance"

After a two-map series against The MongolZ, FaZe Clan have locked in playoffs! With this, NA fans will have the opportunity to see Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski in the arena while also having the honor of witnessing Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyljev in his first arena playoffs since IEM Rio 2023!

Following this historic achievement in s1mple's return to Counter-Strike, Dust2'us' Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey "Mnmzzz" Moore spoke to s1mple about the win, his form, and his gratefulness to FaZe for the opportunity to play the Major.

You can watch the full interview on YouTube below, or read the transcription underneath. All questions and answers have been slightly edited for clarity.

This is the first playoffs for you in a long time and the first arena secured for you in a long time, how are you feeling?

I'm feeling great, I'm feeling happy with this team and I feel really good that we managed to go through to the playoffs today and not play tomorrow. I'm just excited to see fans and play in front of them and excited for them to support us.

That was a great game from you against The MongolZ. Are you happy with your form heading into the playoffs?

Yes but it could be better. Everything depends on the team first of all, it's much easier for me when we are on the same page and we are keeping our good synergy and communication. I'm playing much better and feeling more confident.

Your FaZe teammates have been speaking glowingly about you in interviews. In terms of your choice to return to competitive play with, do you feel like you made the right choice with FaZe assuming any team would've wanted you?

No, I think I had no other options because I was sitting on the bench and rain wrote me and they decided to invite me. I'm so thankful to FaZe Clan and all the players that they gave me this chance and an opportunity to show myself.

Are you going to put on a great show for fans in the Moody Center when you head into the Major playoffs?

I will try and do my best.

s1mple and FaZe will now head to the Moody Center for the BLAST.tv Austin Major playoffs when they kick off next week.