Vladislav "nafany" Gorshkov has raised an intriguing question about the European Counter-Strike scene following 1win's impressive run at IEM Katowice. The team's captain wonders why more benched players across Europe don't take matters into their own hands.
After spending considerable time on the sidelines alongside Sergey "Ax1Le" Rykhtorov, nafany's squad has become the sensation of Katowice. The roster, which previously operated as TDK with inactive professionals funding their own competition entries, earned their Pro League spot through an ESL Challenger victory and are now capitalizing on the opportunity.
Their performance speaks volumes: victories over G2, Legacy, and notably Team Spirit, securing a playoff position and climbing to 11th in the live VRS rankings. The squad now holds an 89% probability of qualifying for the Major, remarkable considering their recent orgless status.
Reflecting on this success, nafany expressed confusion about why similar initiatives don't emerge from Europe. He points out the advantages European players have, including affordable travel and abundant LAN opportunities. According to him, the main requirement is investing in one's own future.
The skipper identifies what he sees as Europe's core issue: players seemingly unwilling to take independent action. He emphasized the sacrifices made by his team members, including groove, Ax1Le, and former TDK players Xant3r and sugaR, with the latter recently retiring.
Regarding Ax1Le's resurgent form, nafany credits the reunion with himself and groove, creating a familiar environment where they understand how to utilize the star player optimally. He believes Ax1Le hasn't even reached his peak yet.
As 1win prepares for playoffs, nafany admits he can't predict how returning to the big stage will feel, but the team is ready to shine after their strong Swiss stage performance.
