CYPHER after qualifying for the Major: "I thought I was fucking doomed, having failed RMRs and everything"

If you followed Fragadelphia Blocktober, you noticed that the event turned into a mini EU RMR of some sort. And it was Fnatic who came out on top, as they defeated 9INE by 3-2 in a best-of-five that we aren't going to forget so soon.

We caught up with Cai "CYPHER" Watson right after the match, who was understandably over the moon. After all, not only did he help Fnatic return to the Major after missing Austin, but he'll also play at a Major again after his electric debut at Paris in 2023.

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

After an absolutely insane best of five, Fnatic and you are through to the Major. It came from nothing; you had a 2.4% chance of making the Major. You're back at the Major for the first time since Paris. What an insane day, what an insane result. How are you feeling after this monumental victory?

Words can't describe it, to be honest with you. There were like certain points where I thought I was fucking doomed, having failed RMRs and everything. But now, I've made it, and words can't put into how happy I am right now.

And we saw it on stage, that huddle after you guys won, all five of you and Samuelson and Independent getting into a circle, cheering, jumping, shouting. Could you ever have imagined this coming into FRAG Blocktober that you would be ending this $10,000 LAN in North America with a spot in the StarLadder Budapest Major?

Honestly, no. When we first said we're going to America, I didn't realize it was all or nothing. I didn't realize the Major was involved. I didn't realize anything until the day we got here. We were, like, 'Oh shit, then it's happening.' But yeah, no, I couldn't imagine it. But I'm just so happy to.

What an insane performance from you. Getting so many pivotal entry kills, winning so many duels, just a cinema from start to finish. Both teams played fantastically, but you were part of the difference in getting Fnatic back to the Major. How do you keep that energy up? How do you keep that performance up after five or six hours of best-of-five action?

I mean, I love the game. I love the game and I do it passionately, you know? It's my whole team as well. We hype each other up, and we love playing the game with each other. I think that's what you need to do as teammates. You need to hype each other. You need to show energy, and that's what I'm here for.

We saw, of course, KRIMZ couldn't attend because of the visa. You picked up jackasmo, last minute, and he helps you make it to the Major. What do you have to say to him about his contribution and getting you guys back to the Major?

Honestly, that fucking kid is one to look out for. He is so sharp, and he's not just sharp; his communication is so fucking good as well. He's a star, to be honest with you, and he just needs a team to show it.

You said you didn't know it would become all or nothing. That was something that happened, obviously, when SAW was knocked out. But as I said at the beginning of this interview, you had a 2.4% chance of making the Major, according to Mischief. You roll a die 100 times, and only two of them make it through. It's monumental what you did today. Were you aware of those chances?

As much as I love Mischief, fuck him [laughs]. I tried not to pay attention to it, but it's usually hard when it keeps coming up in the timeline. But yeah, I'm not actively looking for it or anything.

Overall, incredible run, taking home the Blocktober trophy and making it into the Major. Do you have anything to say to Fnatic fans who have stayed up? It's now 6 AM in Europe.

Thank you to each and every single one of you for your support. I mean, fnactic would be what it is without you guys. So, thank you very much, and one last shoutout: I want to say thank you to my girlfriend. I love you so much and thank you for always supporting me.

How are you going to celebrate? Because it's 1 AM here in Philly.

I think bed, to be honest with you [laughs]. It was funny, blameF was saying 'Let's go get some drinks if we win. If we qualify, let's go get some drinks.' It's definitely going to bed now.