Following Vitality's loss to Spirit in the quarterfinals of EWC 2026, we spoke with the French team's player, Robin "ropz" Kool.
In a candid conversation, ropz talked about the first loss to Spirit since his transition to Vitality, the reasons for the unsuccessful performance on the maps, the growing competition in modern Counter-Strike, and the pressure the team feels while performing in front of French fans in Paris.
The player also commented on the temporary inclusion of jL in Vitality's roster and explained why this is not related to future changes in the main lineup.
The full interview with Robin "ropz" Kool after the loss to Spirit is already on YouTube!
For the first time since you joined Vitality, Spirit won a match against you. What are your thoughts why it happened?
You know, I think it's just a headline. I think in a match in a tournament way, like no one really cares, we don't care. Obviously they won a game, everyone wins games nowadays, everyone can beat each other, so yeah, I feel disappointed. I think, you know, not because we lost to Spirit, but because we wanted to reach, you know, the big arena in the final and be there for the French crowd. I think that's what's disappointing. Um, it wouldn't matter if it was Spirit or someone else we faced today, you know, they played well and we just couldn't find our way in the game.
If you look at the maps, first map was uh very close for you guys, and the second one was a bit on a bad side. Can you give me a bit more details why it happened from your point of view?
Well the first map we lost, yeah, we were just... it's Anubis and we're struggling on the map a bit. Um, I think we worked a lot on the map and, you know, there's definitely some improvement, but also other teams can improve. So it's not like, you know, we're instantly better. The thing we also quickly discussed is obviously it's, I feel like it's the first tournament for us in this season. We played an online game against Liquid and we lost it. Um, so it's like we haven't really got into the season yet, very few games played. So maybe like that match experience in the season is not there yet. But I feel like, you know, just today came down to some mistakes for sure, but I think Spirit played good as well and, you know, I haven't also had time to think about the game throughout because still need to go back and rewatch and see what conclusions we can make.
Do you agree that looking at Legacy, for example, that CS is getting more and more competitive right now? I mean even for, depending on the tier 1 teams and the lower teams, but they are sometimes like these guys that played amazingly. For example, do you agree it will get tougher in the future?
Of course, I think, you know, in any competition the competition will get tougher and tougher over time. I think the players nowadays, you know, every one of them can aim well and I think, you know, it's like everyone has kind of reached this level of where we are today and every new player that comes already has that level. So, you know, it is hard to compete against these people, but, you know, that's the game, you know, you have to kind of, yeah, go for it.
That's basically the question about pressure. Because Vitality is a big brand, has a big big fans and sponsors, whatever, the community looking at that and putting I think more pressure on you guys. Do you agree with this, how are you coping with the pressure personally and as a team as well?
I think pressure is always there. I think anyone who says there is no pressure is lying to himself. Um, I think for us, for me personally there was little pressure, I think for the French guys there was definitely more. That's just the nature of the game, you know, you're playing in Paris with a French crowd, so you want to be there for them. But yeah, I think, you know, there's gonna be pressure if you want to win, I think pressure is in a way a privilege. You know, if you're playing a high stakes game, that's where you want to be. That's where other players want to be, and you have to seize that opportunity and try your best and, you know, that's just how it goes.
And the final question about JL, who will be a substituted player for a bit. Can you tell me a bit more about this situation and is it just a fraction, so just for a small amount of time, or how it works for you guys?
Well, in a way it's, like in terms of tournaments it's a very small amount of time. Well, his, it's a thing already cleared that apEX and mezii will have children born in the upcoming weeks and months. So um they will take time off to be there for that, and JL will step in for I think two tournaments. And I think that's that's the end of the story, you know, in a way he he sometimes watches our practice games, sometimes maybe he can actually play a game in practice. Depends on actually what's happening in our real lives and what's everyone's schedule and stuff like that. So um yeah, now he's gonna play a few games with us and you know it's gonna be fun and it's just time to enjoy the moment and see how good we can do.
It's not the question of changing rosters at some point?
No. Definitely not.
Okay. Thank you so much.
No problem.
The loss to Spirit marked the end of Vitality's run at EWC 2026. Ahead for Vitality are new tournaments, and ropz and his teammates will have the opportunity to prove that this defeat was merely a small step back.
We thank Robin "ropz" Kool for the conversation and wish Vitality success in their upcoming tournaments!
As a reminder, "We believe we can become the #1 team" — dumau on Legacy's victories over NAVI and Falcons and the path to the top.