nqz: "I'm really hyped up to play against FURIA"

After paiN secured playoffs over Virtus.pro at the BLAST.tv Austin Major, the conversation quickly turned about the derby between them and FURIA in the quarterfinals.

Even though this will be paiN's first time in a Major playoffs, their AWPer Lucas "nqz" Soares is feeling confident to take on Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo, the very own Godfather of the Brazilian scene.

"I think that if you're in your day and you have the mood and hype, you can beat everyone any day," nqz told Dust2.us' Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey "Mnmzzz" Moore after paiN locked in playoffs.

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

So, first Major playoffs for you and a massive victory over Virtus.pro. How are you feeling over that amazing moment in your career?

I'm feeling great. [I'm] really proud of everyone on the team here today. Everyone gave all, and after a tough loss on Inferno, we managed to bounce back on Dust2, and after a comeback from them, we managed to close the game. So, I'm really proud of everyone and really happy.

It has been an event of comeback for you. You started Stage Three with a 0-2 record and had to rally and win three BO3s in a row to lock in top eight. How was the team able to survive that 0-2 start and come back to go 3-2?

After the first day, we talked a lot and discussed that we were not playing our best CS. We were not listening to each other, and playing the situations that we should play. So, starting on the 0-2, we had more gap to make mistakes and also more room to grow during the tournament. I think that whenever the days passed and all those matches were happening, we were growing and getting stronger.

This is the first time since PGL Kraków 2017 that we've had two Brazilian squads in the playoffs. Back then, we had Immortals and SK Gaming, and now we have FURIA and paiN. Being able to be one of those players that's making history for the Brazilian scene, how does that feel?

It feels amazing, we got so close so many times in Copenhagen and also Shanghai, so it feels amazing. There's not really much to say, I'm really happy [chuckles].

You're a relatively experienced player, but a lot of the guys on your team are younger, especially snow, who has come a long way in such a short time. What can you tell me about him and his journey as a player? Are you super proud of the youngster in your team?

Yeah, I'm really proud of him. His journey is completely amazing, back-to-back Majors. The first RMR that he played, he qualified for the Major, and now that he played another Major, he's going to the playoffs. He's a brilliant kid and also a really wise kid, really dedicated. I love playing with him, I love passing time with him, and also as a person, he's completely amazing. [I have] absolutely no words for him.

Looking towards playoffs in the Moody Center, you're going to be in front of 10,000 fans, and we've learned that paiN is going to be facing FURIA in the quarterfinals. What are your thoughts on that showdown against FalleN and his troops?

I'm really hyped up to play against FURIA. We played against them in Shanghai, and we lost really badly, and now we won against them on Stage Two. So, playing in front of a crowd and especially against FalleN, KSCERATO, and yuurih, all these players from Brazil, it's going to be a pleasure. I'm really excited to play, and we'll have to see how it goes.

Do you think you have what it takes to take down the legends of the Brazilian scene to bring in a new era?

Yes, I think that if you're in your day and you have the mood and hype, you can beat everyone any day. So, maximum respect for them, but I think we can do it. It's the same process for us, [to face] every team. [We are] not going to think too much about it, about FalleN, and stuff like that. We're going to play our best and try to win.