As mentioned so many times here on Fnatic.com the World Cyber Games Grand Final is about to kick off in a couple of days in Chengdu, China. Worldwide teams are taking part in the competition and emotions start running high as we get closer to its debut. The event is an important occasion of...

As mentioned so many times here on Fnatic.com the World Cyber Games Grand Final is about to kick off in a couple of days in Chengdu, China. Worldwide teams are taking part in the competition and emotions start running high as we get closer to its debut.

The event is an important occasion of affirmation for many teams which don't actually get the chance to attend other lans during the year due to one reason or another. Amongst them we number HellRaisers from Ukraine. Placed in group H, alongside North American side EG, HR have certainly got the necessary potential to create some damage. I mean after all, they've managed to overcome the likes of KerchNET or DTS in the run-up for a WCG qualifying spot.

On the microphone, we've got Ivan 'Johnta' Shevtsov, captain of HellRaisers to take us through their expectations for China. Amongst other things he also talks about the struggle of the Ukrainian scene to make itself noticed in Europe, as well as what hardships his team faces on their national scene. Keep reading below.



Without even realizing it, the Ukrainian scene has grown into one of the most powerful ones in Europe at the moment. Right now you've probably got quite a couple of names like yourself, DTS or KerchNET which are regularly featured in media highlights and important events. How did you come from nothing to become such a force to be reckoned with, scene-wise?

I think it's all about Ukrainian Internet. As soon as we got opportunity to practice with European teams we began to show some good results. Ukrainians always had gread desire to play and win. But conditions in Ukraine have never been good enough to allow us to grow up our skills.

Eastern European teams in general are renown for their huddles in finding stable and capable sponsors. This represents a big issue, as lots of times it stops the players from competing internationally although they have the necessary potential. What do you think about this issue, and how do you see your team in this scenario? What would be a problem-solving solution?

We have only 2 organisations in Ukraine which can send you to international events, namely DTS.chatrix and KerchNET. If you aren't playing for those names, it's really hard for you to get out there. Only with some kind of qualification, etc. This issue gives both DTS and kNET the opportunity to call any players they want. That's actually why Ukrainian teams mix their line-ups very often.

And it is very big problem for all Ukrainian top players. They can't keep together for a long time to step up onto a new level. Another big problem for Ukraine, as you've mentioned - lack of sponsors. Most companies don't know anything about the cybersports community as well as the market. That's why they just don't need to work out with that region. Even with all that given, our community is very big and it keeps on growing even more.

Most of the companies think about esports as just being a kids amusement. Related to that matter, our team, doesn't have any sponsors which can offer us a monthly budget or anything close to that. So everything depends on our results. For example, at the moment DTS.chatrix is waiting for a confirmation from our two players to get their line-up full. That means that if we would play bad our guys can choose better conditions (salary, internetional events, etc.) instead of good teammates.

This creates a rather vicious circle which can hardly be broken in order to bring Ukrainian teams on a new level.

The Internet represents a big problem for teams in the area, just as you mentioned. How do you manage to surpass such issues for online clashes such as the ones in EM IV?

We got 45-55 ping on german servers and it's the best we can have in Ukraine. Only if you live in Kiev it can be 33-38 on some german hostings. But even if you play with 55 agains 15 you can win just because you will play better and do less mistakes than your enemy. We're just trying to get used to it.

Getting to our main subject, the World Cyber Games Grand Final is set to kick off soon. How would you rate your chances? Considering all the attending teams, do you see HR as an underdog, or a possible contender for top5?

All i can say about it is that we're trying hard to grow up our level to this event. We aim for top3. Nobody knows what will be there, it's WCG - the tourney of surprises. So only time and the games will tell!

With so many though opponents on the national Ukrainian scene, what do you think boosted you towards winning the WCG qualifier and representing your country in China?

We were hungry for big wins. Since we were in DTS we won only two lan tournaments. Also we changed one player. This gave us great potential win.

You're placed in Group H against American side EG. How do you rate your chances in the group?

I think we will fight with EG for a 1st place. I never heard about the other teams we've got in our group. Of course there will be no underestimate of our opponents.

Do you think the fact that EG can't play with tactics caller, lurppis, brings in a big advantage for your direct clash against the Americans?

Yes, a little bit. As I know, lurppis is their coordinator or something like that. They have great players so the match will be tough anyway.

The recent shake-ups in the Ukrainian scene have spared HellRaisers any losses. How do you rate your team amongst the new line-ups?

If we will not change any players we would be fighting with KerchNET for a first place. It's just my vision of present team line-ups power.

Final additions?

Thanks to all our fans! Thanks to cyberarena.tv for a support in these hard times! And thanks to all people who love CS and cybersport! Peace!