This French superstar averaged a Rating as high as 2.03 on Cache, claiming yet another MVP along the way.
Vitality swept MOUZ in the ESL Pro League Season 24 grand final to lift their second straight trophy, bouncing back strongly after a slow start to the fall season and securing an important title before apEX temporarily steps away for PGL Bucharest due to the birth of his child. ZywOo's dominant display was enough to earn him the 34th MVP medal of his career. After the match, the French superstar came to the HLTV microphone all smiles to discuss his performance, including his outstanding showing on Cache.
“Even back in 2017, it was probably one of my favorite maps,” ZywOo said. “So to play it again and perform at this level, honestly I'm really happy. I've always loved this map. It's amazing. I know where to peek, I know how to swing, I know how to help my teammates on this map.”
ZywOo also talked about apEX's upcoming absence and how it affects the discussion about the Vitality era. He said that regardless of the situation, the team is focused on winning trophies.
“It doesn't matter whether he's here or not,” he said. “We will try to win the tournament. We will do our best because we need confidence; we need to build something around that, so we will keep giving our all for it.”
Q: Okay, ZywOo, congratulations on your 34th MVP. What's it like to be back in the arena and rediscover that winning feeling?
A: It feels amazing. Of course, after winning at the StarLadder studio, that was... not really difficult, but we wanted to play well on stage, and I think we did that at this tournament. So of course, being back on stage, back on the EPL stage, feels amazing too, and I'm really happy. I think the team played really well. I played well too, so it feels great.
Q: The Katowice curse must be broken now, right?
A: Yes, yes. We didn't really think about it, but of course, after six years of semifinals, it feels good to win at Spodek Arena and in Krakow. So yes, the curse is definitely broken.
Q: Tell me more about conserving energy for the playoffs, as all four of you had a Rating of around 1.30 in the group stage, but you won easily in the end.
A: I don't know what to say. Of course, when ropz and flameZ play well, it makes everyone play well, including me. And vice versa: when I play well, it makes them play well too. So it's like a team thing: when everyone is in sync, no matter what we do, when communication is smooth, individual form is good, and we know what each other is doing on the server, I think it makes everyone play well. I think that's why we have three players with a Rating over 1.25 or 1.30. So I think everyone deserves the Playoffs MVP.
Q: Tell me more about Cache. You had a 2.03 Rating on Cache at this event. Although it was only three maps, after Overpass was removed, it really helped you have a great map pool again, especially with you being so strong on Cache.
A: Yes, I've always loved this map. Even back in 2017, it was probably one of my favorite maps. So to play it again and perform at this level, honestly I'm really happy. I've always loved this map. It's amazing. I know where to peek, I know how to swing, I know how to help my teammates on this map. I'm an A player on Cache, it's a bit strange to say it like that, but yeah, I love this map so much.
Q: Do you like the current map pool? Do you like the balance of differences between maps?
A: We were a bit disappointed when Overpass was removed because it was also one of our best maps. But I think, in terms of the map pool, it's pretty stable. Maybe I'd say Anubis could really be better in this regard, but I think the rest of the map pool is great, so it's fine.
Q: Okay. Last question, about apEX now leaving Bucharest. Does that really matter for your era? Do you think your results with the full roster in the last two events have been enough to put that discussion to rest?
A: It doesn't matter whether he's here or not. For us, a win is a win, even if we have to play with jL. Just like at BLAST Porto, even with jL there, we were trying to win the event, so it will be the same in Bucharest with jL. We will try to win the event. We will do our best because we need confidence; we need to build something around that, so we will keep giving it our all. Also for mezii, he might try to step in as the in-game leader, and when apEX is absent, we will also have to take on more responsibility, we will try to communicate more and try to get our IGL in place, so we will work hard to make that happen.