Post CPH Games & Pro League Finals interview with dignitas/MSL

We had the opportunity to catch up with the teams newest member and ingame leader Mathias "MSL" Lauridsen after the outstanding performance at CPH games and a bumpy performance at the ESL Pro league Finals Lan. MSL has proved many wrong and has shown very impressive games both as an individual and ingame leader. 

First and foremost congratulations on the very solid performance leading to a 3rd place at CPH Games! Did you expect this kind of a performance? 

MSL: Thanks! I wouldn't say I expected it but to be fair, my personal goal was a top 3 placement even though we only had played together for 3 weeks. I knew we could beat all the teams there, but of course it would be really hard to beat VP and TSM, so basically we did what I hoped we would do and that was beating everyone except them. 

 

What do you think contributed most to such a succesful run?  

MSL: I think the fact that we know each other so well, and we all want to play the same way, was the reason that we played so well. Also the fact that all of our players are pretty damn good and if two play badly then two other will step their game up. But as I already said, I think it's all about that we want to play the same way and that we´re good at that as a team. 

 

What was the most memorable game during CPH Games? 

MSL: I think the most memorable game was the one against TSM in the consolidation final. Even though we lost, it was a good game, we played really well as T and should have closed the match, but we couldn't manage as CT. We learned a lot from that game I think and that's a game that will make us even stronger when we are in that kind of situation again. 

 

Who was your MVP from the squad as well as from the tournament? 

MSL: I must say Aizy was the best player, but we all had our games and were really even, but aizy was for sure our MVP.  For the whole tournament, I really don't know, because I only ”saw” our games and haven't had the time to see any of the other matches or players. 

 

How did you enjoy CPH Games overall? 

MSL: I enjoyed CPH Games a lot as usual, it's a great event because you get to play as much as you do. I really like their playoff format. Overall it was just a great event, first event together, we had fun, we won some great matches and we got a great placement! 

Team dignitas at Copenhagen Games

The only games dropped were against TSM, what do you think you could have done better? 

MSL: First time we played TSM we weren't ready at all and they were apparently fired up, we had no chance, they outplayed us. I don't even know if we did anything right, so I don't take much from that game.

The second game was a different story, I think we led 7-1 as T on inferno and ended up losing 9-16. We played our CT side horrible and they got to do everything they wanted, even though we had the map control. So I think we got a lot of experience from that and hopefully next time we're in that situation, we know how to close the game!  

 

After the CPH Games the team attended the ESL Cologne Pro League Finals. You started off with an outstanding 2-1 win against Na'vi and faced TSM, coming ever so close to beating them. What is it about TSM that prevents the team from beating them? 

MSL: I don't know what's about them. Again, I felt like we had the game, this time more than at Copenhagen Games. We lost atleast 5-6 clutch rounds we should have won, we had the upperhand in all of them, but we were too afraid and made a lot of mistakes. Everybody in the team knew what went wrong and I think that game took really harsh on us, because it would have secured us a semi-final spot and we would've been facing number two from the other group. Not taking anything away from TSM, they played good in the clutches, but they also knew that, that was our game and we shouldn't have lost it at any point. 

 

The second time around the team didn't perform as well against Na'vi. What was different the second time you faced them? 

MSL: They played really well, it was like they had stepped up 110 % and we weren't ready for that at all. We didn't play well together or hit our shots, so it was over really fast, when they are as good as they were.

Also we played the same maps, and they lost last time, so they had the upperhand in countering us on cbble, because they knew what went wrong for them. We didn't because we won last time and just played as we normally did. I made a fault there, I should have picked cache instead of cbble, but you can always be smart after the game! 

 

What kind of results are you expecting from the team this year? Do you believe you can qualify for the next Majors? 

MSL: I expect really great results from our team. I hope we can show the world, how good we can be. This is the team I want to fight for and I really hope we can keep improving, because we have great potential.

I of course believe that we can qualify for the next major, that is our ultimate goal. Right now it is about getting as ready as we can by playing LANs and getting experience as a team and just get better as a team for the major! We're coming for you! 

 

Conserning recent updates do you like the changes implemented on the AWP as well as the SMG's? 

MSL: I like the update a lot. The AWP was too overpowered, they could do anything they wanted. No matter how well you had countered the opponent, you could run into an awp taking 2-3-4 down without a problem. As for the SMGs, I like it very much. I don't think its too overpowered since people can sometimes buy up on the 3rd round and then you´re done for with the SMGs. So I think it is a great balance right now. I hope they will make the M4A4 better though! 

 

Do you have any personal goals you are trying to achieve, when it comes to CS:GO? 

MSL: My personal goal has always been to be on the best team in the world, I have been on the 2nd best team in the world, so personally its about that #1 and I will do everything I can to make that dream happen!

Any other shoutouts?

MSL: Thanks to all my teammates for giving me a shot in this team. I wanted to play with these guys again badly for a long time, so its really awesome to be back! Also thanks to Team Dignitas, it's sponsors and especially ODEE for making this happen! 

Thank you Mathias for your time. The staff and I wish you and the boys all the best for the rest of the year and hopefully you can fulfill your personal goals as well as the team's goals! 

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GL&HF!