TeSeS: "You feel invincible with karrigan in big arena games"

The Falcons run to the IEM Cologne Major championship stands as one of the most significant victories in the history of Counter-Strike 2. It was a full-circle moment that closed several narrative threads within the competitive scene. However, the team has faced difficulties translating that peak performance into sustained dominance over the broader CS landscape. With the squad now competing in their third event of the season, the focus shifts to turning the campaign around and securing a tangible result at BLAST Open Porto.

Speaking on the start of the current season, TeSeS acknowledged the mixed emotions surrounding the team’s recent form. "I wanted this season to go smoother and better, but this is the situation we're in; all of us on the team are ready to fight for what we believe is ours and what we want to achieve," he stated. The transition from the high of Cologne to the setbacks of the first two tournaments has been a difficult adjustment. "It's very annoying; you feel like the best team in the world, and then you lose to teams who, and I don't want to speak badly about them, but on paper, it is what it is," he admitted, noting that while opponents like Legacy have shown strong form, the Falcons are not satisfied with their current standing.

The loss at the Esports World Cup also carried significant weight for the organization, as the Falcons are one of the teams that received the most resources for the Club Championship. "There are big expectations for us there, yeah... they wanted to get the three-peat," TeSeS explained. Although the organization did not explicitly voice pressure, the ambition to succeed in one of the most competitive games in the EWC was palpable. "It wasn't meant to be this time, though, and we didn't help them in that area, which sucks because it was something we really wanted to do," he added. Despite the setback, TeSeS expressed appreciation for the EWC format, describing it as having an "Olympic feeling" that benefits the entire esports scene.

Comfort within the team’s tactical structure has been a recurring theme for TeSeS over the past few years. With the arrival of karrigan, the player has shifted positions again, a change that has required significant adaptation. "I definitely feel more comfortable than I did a few months ago," he noted. During the Major, he experienced some of the most uncomfortable map assignments in a long time, making the victory all the more remarkable. Currently, he feels more at ease, particularly in practice and on CT sides. "T sides are still up in the air a little bit because I have a mixed role where I need to go first sometimes and lurk at others, but I've got better at finding when to do what," he explained.

Reflecting on his career trajectory, TeSeS was candid about the impact of frequent role changes. "Of course it's prevented a peak; it would be irresponsible to say otherwise. If I were able to develop in the same position, I would be much better than changing everything," he said. However, he views his adaptability as a key asset that has allowed him to remain in the Falcons roster. "That's why I'm still here, and I'm here to adapt to any situation that might come," he emphasized. The presence of karrigan has provided a clear vision for how the team wants to execute, making it easier for TeSeS to follow and perform under the new system.

The narrative surrounding the Falcons often included questions about their ability to close out high-stakes matches. TeSeS described a stark difference in the Cologne environment with karrigan by his side. "You feel invincible when he's with you in those big arena games, and it was amazing. The whole tournament, I felt like we could never lose; it was like God was with us, and I almost turned religious at that point," he recalled with a laugh. When prompted about the intensity of that feeling, he simply replied, "Potentially, yes." As the Falcons prepare to face G2 in the quarter-finals, the team aims to replicate that sense of confidence and secure a victory that will define their second half of the season.