Robin "ropz" Kool is finding his form again after a relatively quiet period, securing an EVP award at StarSeries Fall and posting an impressive 1.39 rating during ESL Pro League group stage. With four Vitality players boasting ratings at or above 1.29 after three matches, opponents heading into Katowice have every reason to be concerned.
The Estonian rifler recently broke a nearly year-long losing streak against Falcons, acknowledging that teams consistently elevate their performance when facing Vitality. "Everyone kind of steps up against us," ropz explained. "The level of teams against us is always higher."
Regarding his former teammate karrigan, ropz keeps things professional rather than personal. While he initially offered tactical insights about Falcons' calling tendencies, he's learned not to overthink the mental game to avoid disrupting his own performance.
Motivation has been challenging with temporary roster changes. Knowing well in advance about upcoming stand-ins for apEX and mezii's parental leave created periods without expectations. "It's hard as a player, and it's a bit demotivating," ropz admitted, though he emphasized the importance of supporting teammates during life's crucial moments.
The specter of Astralis' era-ending burnout isn't lost on Vitality. However, ropz draws a clear distinction: "We still feel like, as individuals at least, we have a lot more to give and we're not done with anything. We will do anything to be good again."
On the controversy surrounding downloadable practice demos through Skybox Edge, ropz revealed significant challenges. New strategies and unique utility spreads rapidly once used in practice, as teams share information. The shift from CSGO to CS2 made POV demos far more revealing, forcing teams to carefully consider what they expose during scrimmages. "Nothing is hidden nowadays," he concluded.
