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xertioN: “There is no number one in the world right now, but I think it's the most exciting era”

MOUZ player Dorian xertioN Berman talked with Players reporter Sofiia Pikhalo before the start of the IEM Cologne 2024 playoffs.

You will play at LANXESS Arena for the first time in your career. What do you expect from the audience, given that MOUZ is the German organisation?

Well, I expect to have some nice support from the fans and to feel the excitement from everyone. I've heard only good stuff about this arena and I'm excited to represent a German organisation in the biggest arena probably in CS. So, yeah, I'm really excited and I expect to hear the crowd very loudly.

You had quite a long preparation for this tournament. You were at bootcamp. How did you go in general? Did you prepare anything in particular? And how many other activities were there during this bootcamp?

Yeah, we practiced everything, of course, every map. We focused on our map pool to make it better. So, it was nice to see that we got every map to a good level, I would say. And, yeah, I mean, we did some team activities together with our sports psychologist. We went outside for some good walks and we had good talks with each other about communication and stuff like this. I think that we're doing all the right things and I think it was a good bootcamp and I'm excited to show it in the playoffs as well.

I already saw your interview before where you said that you were preparing something special. What  kind of special thing will it be? 

Well, the special is a secret, as I said. I cannot share that, unfortunately, but I think that we're coming with some good stuff and I'm just hoping that we can actually show our true level because I think at the group stage it was only our base level, I would say.

The guys from SAW fight in this tournament. What can you say about fresh blood, about this opponent on the stage?

I think that they were always a good underdog team, I would call them. Like Tier 2, I think that they have some good ideas, they play good CS and they're also very confident. So, I think that they were always pretty good and I think this tournament it's nice to see a new team in the playoffs. I think that they will enjoy it a lot. I think it's their first stage game, most of them probably. And to do it in the Lanxess Arena, I think it's a big achievement for them. So, yeah I have some respect for them. I think that they're a good team and I'm just excited to see what they can do on the stage, actually, and play with no pressure. 

Were you surprised by their progress on this tournament? 

For sure, yes. I think that their win against G2 is very impressive, especially now that G2 is beating everyone, basically. And we're going to also face them and they're a very strong opponent. So, yeah, I mean, I think that they had some really good games. They also took a map from NAVI, which was really impressive. I think that they are on the right track and probably are doing some good stuff for that team. And they definitely are a decent team now that everyone should look out for.

Will you add SAW in your preparation list in future?

It’s tough to say. We always have an eye out for every team and every opponent we play. I think that we should never underestimate anyone. But, of course, it can happen that you have one good run and then you have some struggle for months. At the end of the day, they don't have the same opportunities as other teams with the invites and stuff. So, I think that it's tough to say, but definitely everyone should be on the outlook for them because I think that they are coming up. 

We have so many powerful teams in this tournament today. NAVI, Spirit, Vitality, G2, MOUZ, of course. Do you agree that competition during this season is one of the strongest between Tier 1 teams? 

Absolutely. I think that, especially the last two years since I've been in Tier 1, this is definitely the most competitive it's ever been. I think that there is no number one team in the world at this moment. And Spirit went out now, but they won Katowice, and they are always good, these guys. And then you have Vitality, who yesterday beat us convincingly. They played pretty well. They have their ups and downs. And FaZe have had two majors, they had the Major final, they had the Katowice final, and they didn't win anything this season yet, except the G2 last season.

So yeah, I think that there are so many teams that are really good at this moment. Also, G2 suddenly won Dallas with a stand-in, and then NAVI won Major and didn't do anything, and then they won the EWC. Every team has had their ups and downs. There is no number one in the world right now, but I think it's the most exciting era I've ever played in, in Tier 1, for sure. 

So you're happy to play at this moment at this level? 

Yeah, absolutely. It's a pleasure to face all the teams.

What are your expectations for the match against G2, considering that you lost last time match against them? 

The focus and expectation is going to be to win. We're going to do our best, round by round, step by step, map by map. And I just hope that we can show our true level. For me, that's the most important thing, to show our progress as a team, especially on stage, and to enjoy the moment. I'm just looking forward to a good battle, a very close game, and I think that they're on a really good path right now. They have been winning very easily versus most opponents, which is always good. I'm just excited to play against them. It's always nice to play against NiKo and m0nesy and these guys. 

And if you manage to go further, it will be NAVI vs EWC semi-finals? For sure, there is some revenge to take.

I also just like G2, but first we need to beat G2, and the focus is primarily on that. But when we get to NAVI, maybe it will start flowing in me more, the fire, but right now I'm just focused on G2. 

Do you enjoy when a crowd is cheering in one place in the arena? I mean watching them and seeing their support. 

Yeah, absolutely, I think that Vitality have their fans, that they are always on the same area, and in the Copenhagen Major it was really amazing to watch it, like them just jumping up and down in their own area, and it kind of felt like it was their stadium, so obviously this would be a dream come true, I think that we still have to do a lot as players, and also as a team to deserve it in a way. I think that Vitality have been much longer than us, as individuals at the top, so it's tough for me to expect it, but I also would really like to see a lot of support from the MOUZ fans.

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