sjuush: “Walking out on stage and having everyone shout at you with love, it was incredible”

The IEM Rio Major was a roaring success for Heroic, the Danish squad succeeding where the favourites could not and making it all the way to the grand final. The final itself was a disappointment: Outsiders thoroughly outclassed Rasmus “⁠sjuush⁠” Beck and company, but nonetheless the Danes can be proud of their showing in Brazil.

BLAST Premier Fall Final represented a chance for Heroic to carry that momentum forward and they seized the chance with both hands, confirming their spot in the grand final and taking down the likes of G2, Liquid and Ninjas in Pyjamas along the way.

Fresh from victory over Liquid sjuush took some time out with HLTV to chat about Heroic‘s tournament run, how they have been so potent on their offensive halves, and whether they have a case for being the best team in the world.

How does it feel to make the grand final?

Oh it feels amazing, I feel like we really deserve it as well. I don’t know what to say, it’s incredible to finally have some results showing!

You went for Overpass in the veto instead of Ancient, why was that?

I mean I’m not really into the veto that much…

Just there to click heads?

Yeah (laughs), I just trust the process you know? Just in general we feel very comfortable on Overpass. We know that we’re really good on either side as we’ve seen in this tournament, our T side is really strong so there’s a lot of confidence in that side, especially during this CT meta.

Why do you think your T sides have been so good in general, especially during this tournament?

I think it’s because we are good at listening to Casper… it’s a mix between thinking yourself. If you see a smoke and there’s a gap in it, you use the gap to your advantage, all those small things. Being good at taking initiative.

Was it nice to have the crowd on your side? I know in previous years it’s not necessarily been that way.

Oh it felt amazing (smiles), walking out on stage and just having everyone shout at you with love, it was incredible.

If you win this tournament, do you have a serious case for being the best team in the world?

Yes, I believe so. If we win this tournament we want to do good in World Finals as well, so I think it depends on how good we do in the last two events of the year. I’m really excited for World Finals as well, but now it’s full focus on the Royal Arena.

Looking towards the final, you will face either FaZe or NIP. Do you care who you play, and how do you think you match up against those teams?

We’ve struggled against NIP a couple of times but we did beat them last time. With FaZe it’s 50/50 I feel like, I felt we were a little bit off when we played them last time, and we fixed that. I don’t really care who we play to be honest.