EPTLoda Interviewed by Drayich
Yesterday after their against MYInsanity, Swedish caster Kim 'Drayich' Larsson had a post-game interview with Jonathan 'Loda' Berg. The interview was conducated in Swedish, link below, but we have now translated the key parts of it.
During the interview Loda touched on things like in-game leadership in Alliance, his reflections on the last year as well as toilets in Malaysia. The interview has a very light undertone since Loda and Drayich are old friends and team-mates, so keep in mind that some of the answers might seem like attacks when they were really meant as jokes.
[Translation starts at 00:23 in the video]
Q: Well lets start off by saying congratulations, even if it feels a bit strange saying that after you've beaten mYi. But the general feeling I have is that you're improving?
A: I believe so. We're communicating a lot better and everything is working a lot better since we brought 7ckingmad on board. Part of the reason is also because me and Pajkatt talked and agreed to stick to one leader. It works better that way.
Q: I've always said that you and Pajkatt are very strong minded?
A: We are. But at the same time we haven't had any issues playing together. We've just had issues with getting the teamwork going. Pajkatt is a very good player who can win games on his own sometimes. But when we've lost its mostly been due to the fact that we haven't been able to figure out how to play together as cores. But we've adapted a lot better to that lately. An example would be when he plays sniper and I slardar. That usually works out pretty well since he's the one carrying. Another good example would be when I play Tiny and he plays something like QoP. We've just been playing together a lot. So now we have a plan
Q: Ok. Would you say the following statement is true: Both you and pajkatt have taken a step back when it comes to play calling and you've given that responsibility to the snail (editors note: 7ckingmad)?
A: Yes we have. But at the same time I see myself as the leader, so I take on the authoritarian role. If there's any issues I'm the one stepping up. But yes, we've taken a step back, both of us.
We both still have great ideas, but it has been easier taking a step back together with him.
Q: The question on everyones minds is "When are they going to stop playing without standins?" When will you decide on a final roster?
A: Well.... we're practically a team right now. It's just not official. We don't care much about what's in front of the players name right now, since we've had bad luck with that earlier. Everytime we've added someone as "Alliance" something has happened shortly afterwards so we had to replace them.
Q: Yes, you've had a lot of bad luck with players. What I don't understand is how you managed to keep on going through all the hardships you've been through?
A: It's been really rough. If Chessie hadn't gotten injured this year most likely would've gone by a lot smoother. But that's Dota. It was the same thing in Dota 1. Sometimes you just hit a string of bad luck. There's always that little thing missing in the end. You know you're not bad, you just fall short. And it gets worse and worse over time since it gets into your head. And when those things are going on there's either complete silence or complete chaos on skype.
Q: Well what do you prefer in that situation? Silence or chaos
A: I like people talking, as long as it is regarding the game we're playing. I think I prefer the chaos scenario.
Q: During this period of you not performing. Has it ever gotten to the point where even Akke is really upset?
A: Yeah he's been in a bad mood all year because of this.
Q: Oh he has?
A: Yes
Q: That feels kind of good to know.
A: Really? I'm kind of disappointed. I thought he knew better.
Q: *laughing* You expected him to stay stone-faced through all of this?
A: *laughing* Exactly. But if I'm to be serious, we've all had smaller breakdowns this year. But Akke has always tried to find the silver lining throughout this. He could just say "Ok, we can't swap any more players. These are the players we go with". Me on the other hand, I think we've spent too much time with certain players and maybe too little with a few others.
Q: So what language to you use in-game right now?
A: Well Niqua talks something that's supposed to be English, but I'm not sure. (big laughter from Drayich) I kid. He speaks English very well, but there's a lot of swenglish going on (editors note: Swedish term for when you mix Swedish words into your English). But I think that's kind of cute. He's gonna be so sad when he hears this. I was just kidding. His English is great. It's mostly English. Maybe a bit of Swedish here and there. Mostly English though.
Q: Mats (editors notes: co-caster) would you like to ask Loda any questions?
Q (Mats): How long have you been playing with 7ckingmad?
A: About a month now
Q(Mats): How do you feel you've progressed during this time?
A: We talk a lot. And I appreciate that he talks a lot. He's very calm and collected. Even if we do fall out from time to time we can both sit down and talk about it. It's nice being able to really talk about a game after it happened. Not just play scrim after scrim, but really discuss the games to figure out what was going on. It's nice to have someone like that on the team. He really loves the draft, as do I.
Q: Do you have any issues with the fact that he is very good looking?
A: No definitely not. It's like 50% of the criteria when we chose a stand-in!
Q: Cause I was thinking. You might have lost some skills when S4 and Bulldog left, but in terms of looks I think you've taken a big step forwards.
A: I feel exactly the same thing. Pajkatt is also very attractive.
Q: What's the odds of you doing a calendar with me and Mats? Pinup-style
A: Why do you think that you and Mats would fit into our handsome Alliance team?
Q: Me and Mats would make the calendar. We wouldn't be on the pictures. Calm down fucks sake!
A: Ah ok. You're a photographer. I forgot.
Q: Lets finish this off with some more serious questions: How often do you practice right now?
A: Every day. From 4PM to 11PM.
Q: There has been talk about your gaming house. Now when you have a finn and a french guy on the roster, is that still on the table?
A: Well... We switched gaming houses. The first place we had was subletted. I don't want to go in to details about that. But we've found a new one. In Gothenburg. We're planning a bootcamp there right now.
Q: With the others too?
A: No just me and Akke.
Q: Just you and Akke?
A: *laughter* of course with everyone. Just me and Akke? What kind of gaming house would that be?
Q: *laughs* Wow I just got owned by Loda!
A: A glass of red wine with just me and Akke.
Q: With this lineup. Do you think you can win TI5?
A: Yes, of course we can.
Q: Do you really think so?
A: I think all teams can win TI5. As long as you get a good, working, team together. But you never know. We might have to work our way through a qualifier. If we don't win something before the invites go out. But you never know. We can always hope that Valve will go "Everyone that's ever won a TI will get an automatic invite!" But it's not likely.
Q: I understand. because if you just look at your results during the last year or so, I'd say it would be un-fair to not invite you directly.
A: I agree. But again, we don't know what they base the invites on. But I'm not counting on getting an invite.
Q: Are you the best team in Sweden?
A: Soon. NiP is a really good team, and they won the last official game we had. So I guess they're the best right now. They're going to Malaysia, right? It's a very special country, so we'll see how they can deal with that.
Q: What do you mean with that?
A: It's another culture. The toilers are basically just a hole in the ground. Stuff like that.
