It could nonetheless be too early to name Liquid a prime contender for IEM Dallas or the BLAST Austin Main, however Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken believes the squad is nicely on it’s manner again after a tumultuous 2025 marketing campaign.
The arrival of Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek this month has reignited the Liquid spark, with the squad rebounding from an early exit at PGL Bucharest to make the primary stage at IEM Melbourne. They could have been downed by The MongolZ within the quarter-final, however wins over MIBR and NaVi—plus a aggressive map towards Vitality—has definitely turned heads.
Twistzz caught up with esports.gg in Melbourne to speak the staff’s hefty apply schedule, siuhy’s arrival to Liquid, and the way he’s settling again into his authentic roles in Liquid.
Liquid Twistzz: “We undoubtedly didn’t count on to be crowd favorites”
Was a little bit of a hostile crowd for you guys this time round however we did see you taking part in as much as it, particularly with the sick clutch on Inferno. Was it one thing you guys had been anticipating coming into the playoffs?
“Yeah, I believe it was one thing we did count on. For certain, we undoubtedly didn’t count on to be crowd favorites within the area. Though it’s my first time being booed in Australia, it’s high-quality. We’re professionals. We all know easy methods to play with it, we all know easy methods to play towards it. It’s all good.”
Discuss to me concerning the collection normally. The veto appeared clear on paper up till Inferno, had been you pleased with preparation for the match?
“The veto was anticipated, however form of reversed. I believed their choose was going to be Inferno, however both manner, they knew that they’d get Historical or Inferno within the collection. The veto was nicely ready by each groups and we anticipated it.”
We noticed you guys get in a few days earlier than the group stage kicked off, and also you’ve had just a little time between occasions to prep. Was it sufficient, you suppose?
“We had 5 – 6 apply days in between Bucharest and Melbourne and yeah, we felt it was sufficient. Clearly, there’s outside-of-the-game issues you can nonetheless do to arrange like getting right here early and getting used to the setting, the time zone… everybody did their job and was ready individually for the match.”
You’re three or so weeks and now two occasions into the siuhy period of Liquid. What’s it that he’s been selecting up actually shortly? What’s it that he’s nonetheless coming to phrases with within the Liquid system?
“Siuhy has a really robust understanding of the kind of gamers that he has on the staff. I believe now we have actually good chemistry out and in of the sport, everybody will get alongside rather well, however he is aware of easy methods to finest make the most of every of his gamers. He’s an awesome captain; I believe he and I’ve a very good relationship and everybody appears to be like ahead to persevering with what we’re constructing”
The expansion already has been fairly outstanding. From a person perspective, how has the transition again to your previous roles been for you mechanically and mentally? It’s not typically we see riflers take up the IGL position, then swap again.
“I believe it’s high-quality, all the things has been good. I get to work much more on my particular person facet, and it’s good to get to be a specialist in my areas once more.
“I’m nonetheless performing some mid-round calling, serving to in tech pauses, serving to with sport changes. That’s what I imply after I say Kamil (siuhy) and I’ve good synergy, a great relationship, and loads of mutual belief between one another. I believe it’s good for your complete staff.
“Mentally, it’s not an enormous distinction. I really feel like I simply have a greater perspective on the sport from the captain stint. If you naturally construct this overview for the sport and you retain observe of what’s occurring, it’s a helpful talent to study as a result of I might help Kamil micromanage folks. I do know his plan, I do know what he’s calling, and I assist everybody get on the identical web page.”
Other than siuhy, you guys have been on the street typically this 12 months. How has the busy schedule impacted you guys in terms of fatigue, and the way are you trying constructing into the most important in Austin?
“Every thing has been good, truly. I believe earlier than selecting up Kamil, we did a great job at securing the Legends stage and did a great job at securing extra future invitations. When he got here [to Liquid], there’s already loads for him to stay up for.
“We simply must take again the primary spot within the North America area and I believe we’re trying good for the remainder of the season. Kamil was out of the sport for a bit earlier than he joined whereas the remainder of us had been on the street and continuous practising.
“We get a pleasant three to 4 days off now to take pleasure in Melbourne and a break however then straight to some much-needed apply for Dallas and Austin.”
Liquid could have wrapped up their stint in Australia, however IEM Melbourne continues on, with the grand last between Vitality and Falcons kicking off at 4:30pm AEST later at the moment.
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