The Slovakian rifler reveals how Apeks masterminded a exceptional return to the skilled CSGO scene following a brief hiatus
Apeks had introduced taking a break from CSGO final September in order that they might assess their state of affairs and give you a technique to enhance their performances. After a collection of disappointing performances, the Apeks hierarchy felt the necessity to press the reset button. 9 months afterward, the dangerous transfer has seemingly paid off because the Norwegians are about to take part within the Paris Main 2023 alongside the very best Counter-Strike groups on the planet. HLTV.org did a superb breakdown of the team’s resurgence, and so they interviewed Apeks rifler Martin “STYKO” Styk as a part of their characteristic.
𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐬
On account of our present state we have now determined to withdraw the primary CS workforce from all competitions.
Our outcomes have been removed from ok and we’d like time to mirror and consider till we really feel prepared.— Apeks (@apeksgg) September 26, 2022
STYKO joined Apeks months earlier than Apeks’ sudden intermission. The previous mousesports star had a front-row seat to Apeks’ rebuild. Apeks moved out Asger “AcilioN” Larsen and Hugo “chawzyyy” Günther after the workforce’s failed PGL Antwerp Main qualification marketing campaign. Justinas “jL” Lekavicius and Richard “shox” Papillon got here in as their replacements. STYKO talked in regards to the heightened expectations following the signing of the duo.
“Expectations have been excessive. The duo was properly balanced in a younger rifler and an skilled veteran. We thought it was a very good transfer. We initially had another gamers in thoughts, however some talks fell by and ultimately we went for shox and jL with none trial interval as we needed to signal a participant and begin the season with a full lineup.”
Issues, nonetheless, didn’t enhance instantly, and so they did not qualify for the IEM Rio. They then misplaced to BIG Academy within the Fragadelphia 17 Semi Finals, which rang the alarm bells and prompted Apeks to take a break from upcoming competitions.
“The withdrawal was purely the choice of the group. We, as gamers, had no say in it. Within the warmth of the second, we needed to maintain going and enjoying; we had a reasonably respectable likelihood to get deep into ESL Challenger League, I feel. However ultimately, the choice to withdraw was appropriate and we benefited as a workforce.”
STYKO revisited the times of uncertainty through the hiatus.
“We performed individually and rested, we tried to reset mentally from the difficult interval. We had frequent workforce talks about what will occur, what selections are being made by the group as a result of, at that time, we knew that sticking with the identical roster could be inconceivable.”
The veteran misplaced Apeks’ in-game management position to the workforce’s new recruit Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski. STYKO, nonetheless, feels the inclusion of the North Macedonian was the lacking piece of the puzzle. In line with him, Apeks have been in dire want of his wealthy Counter-Strike prowess and meta persona.
Apeks at the moment are set to make their Counter-Strike main debut, and STYKO says he and his teammates are able to tackle any problem that comes their means. Their present precedence, nonetheless, is their first match in opposition to Workforce Liquid.
“We’re prepared for no matter problem. However now the main focus is on our opening match-up versus Liquid. We are going to include the identical method as we did for the RMR. It labored and we give attention to one sport at a time.”
