Ceb: «For all qualified teams, the OG Era is over»

It has been, one even two complicated years... We at OG are players that perform better in a Lan environnement, who perform better under pressure. And that it's been two years without that... We've also went for a Lineup with an SEA and an NA players, MidOne and SumaiL, so COVID did complicate things even more, Ana is australian as well. Then having to play online tournaments without TI in sight was very difficult Motivationwise to find the right formula. All of these things put together made it so there has been High but mainly Lows. But We've managed to balance things back right when it matters the most: right before TI which is quite our Trademark. Of course I would have loved to have a direct invite, but we'll do everything we can to do a great job, qualify and go to wherever Valve wants us to go since there is that as well. but [Where TI will Take Place] is the last our worries for now since we have to play in about a week and that is the only goal for us

It has always been a debate with valve but i personally agree with valve's Position on this one : "We want the best 18 Teams at TI". And that is true that many things can happen in a year. We've had all the occasions to qualify the regular way and we missed them so we can only be angry at ourselves. But I understand the point of view that for the storylines, not having the reigning champion is regrettable.

Exactly, for all the teams we belong to in the past. for all the already qualified teams, the OG Era is over, to put it bluntly: OG are trash. And of course that upsets us, and motivates us to push our limits, to prove that we are not trash, that we did not win two TIs by coincidence and that we are capable to at least qualify and maybe create a surprise at TI. Mindset wise we are in the best conditions: we have nothing to lose, everything to win and that is a position we particularly like.

We are all together for a bootcamp in Copenhagen right now. Conditions are optimal and we really feel the difference. We are motivated, we feel like the tide is turning, will it turn enough to reverse the current trend, because the trend is really not favourable to us we'll see. But things are really positive at this moment.

Hard to say, since TI is unlike anything else, many teams overperform or choke at TI. But I would probably look at Chinese Teams especially PSG.LGD, They are incredibly experienced players, and in very good shape right now. I would also look out for Nigma if they pass and we don't. And if they don't qualify It's quite unfortunate since it would have been a battle that should have happened at TI, but that won't be the case. So yeah I would say PSG.LGD and Nigma are my top 2.