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REZ, GamerLegion end FaZe’s Aussie title defence with astonishing double comeback

BBG News

Two remarkable comebacks see REZ and GamerLegion through to Rod Laver Arena.

FaZe Clan will not retain their title as IEM Sydney champions from 2023, having lost a tight 2-0 (19-16, 13-11) match against GamerLegion in the final Group A game at IEM Melbourne. Despite missing out on qualifying for the top event at the Austin Major, GamerLegion is determined to make up for it and are off to a strong start.

In a nail-biting turn of events, the series was virtually decided, as GamerLegion was forced to mount not one, but two comebacks. Remarkably, they managed this on Nuke, stringing together nine consecutive rounds. The star performer in this epic battle was Fredrik “REZ” Sterner, who dominated the server with an impressive 46 kills, claiming the top spot.

Indeed, following their victory, he attributed his impressive performance, especially on Map 2 of Nuke, to the strategic guidance provided by the dynamic duo of leaders – Ashley “ashhh” Battye and in-game leader Erik “ztr” Gustafsson.

REZ: “I just feel super comfortable right now with this roster”

Could you walk me through the thrilling match against FaZe that saw ztr delivering an impressive one-versus-three clutch in the final nine rounds, ultimately securing your spot in the playoffs? That was quite a remarkable game!

Indeed, our battle seemed relentless until the very end, as it’s evident from our performance. In each round, I believed we would take the lead, but despite our advantage, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that we were grappling with difficulties in the initial stages of both our comebacks.

In our games, we were confident we’d emerge victorious, and it was evident on FaZe as well when we began taking rounds, causing them to falter slightly and commit errors, which we effectively exploited, greatly benefiting from ashhh’s contributions too.

ZTR demonstrated remarkable skills during the game, securing victory in crucial moments through his impressive clutch plays. He significantly contributed to our success by winning several key rounds for us. Without his performance, we might not have emerged victorious, so I’m overjoyed and thrilled about it.

Have you been here since the memorable NiP versus Fnatic clash at IEM Sydney 2019, but this visit also falls right amidst numerous international competitions? I’m curious to know how you’ve juggled fatigue and travel for this year’s schedule.

Over the past few days, we’ve had a grueling schedule. First, we played in Bucharest, then we jet-setted to Berlin for the MRQ match, and now we’ve traveled here without pause. The team is feeling drained, fatigued, and even exhausted. However, this doesn’t deter us from pouring our heart and soul into every game.

We’re experiencing a slight impact, yes, but it’s nothing insurmountable. At least for a few days, we get to rest at home before PGL Astana comes up next. To be honest, we seem to be doing well in the game, but there are moments when fatigue becomes palpable.

Towards the finale of your tenure with NiP, you were achieving impressive individual performances. This year, however, it seems you’ve maintained this high standard but with a greater consistency. Could you share what factors have contributed to this consistency in your performance since joining GamerLegion?

It’s an interesting query, but I must admit, I’m somewhat uncertain about it. However, I feel incredibly at ease with this team setup and my coach, wow! He’s truly excelling in ensuring my comfort and encouraging me to do things that I enjoy. Erik [ztr] is also contributing significantly to my performance.

He consistently equips me with AKs and M4s on maps, making me feel extremely comfortable. Not only does he do this frequently, but he also supports my gameplay by setting up opportunities for me to excel. In essence, he often positions me to succeed, which in turn makes me feel more confident in my performance here than anywhere else before.

You brought up Coach Ashhh. Many people have been praising him consistently for successfully launching the GamerLegion project, even with inexperienced players on board. Can you explain what makes his coaching approach distinct from any you’ve encountered previously?

Once more, you ask a thoughtful question. He consistently maintains order while allowing each individual to showcase their talents to the fullest extent possible.

It appears he places great emphasis on maximizing an individual’s potential. He has been particularly attentive to enhancing my performance in these games, as well as improving the PR aspect for his games. In terms of team dynamics, I believe he excels in maintaining unity and fostering excellent team play among us, which is one of his key strengths.

Previously in an interview, ashhh stated that there was still a significant amount of growth required for your team, not so much related to the game or technical skills, but rather focusing on mental aspects. Since then, how have you been addressing this mental transformation and what strategies or adjustments have been implemented?

Currently, we’re collaborating daily with an unseen mentor, specifically focusing on mental strategies. This event, in particular, has seen us placing great emphasis on these methods to manage pressure and improve our performance on the field.

In situations where we find ourselves facing a 11-4 deficit or challenging predicaments, we’ve developed strategies to manage them effectively. However, these methods aren’t always successful, so yes, I believe we’ve significantly improved our ability to cope with psychological stress.

Occasionally, our inexperience might show due to being a relatively new team with youthful players who haven’t had extensive game time under their belts. Consequently, you may notice instances where they exhibit a touch of overconfidence.

We’re working on relaxing, and that comes with experience and time, so we’ll see.

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2025-04-23 13:11

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