miRACLE: 'We don't feel the pressure' - Part 1

TEK9 sits down with Johan "miRACLE" Gärtner of the Swedish H2k Gaming team.

In the interview, Johan talks about their move from Unique Esports to H2k, the team's third place in the recent European top 10 and gives his thoughts on the Crossfire Intel Challenge 7.

Thanks for joining me Johan. For starters, could you tell everyone a little about yourself and your history?

"My name is Johan Gärtner, im 18 years old and im currently playin for H2k! Other than that I'm studying "social science" and this year is the last year, and after that I'm unemployeed.. so hook me up! :D"

When leaving Unique Esports, you stated the team “could not wait any longer for something to happen in unique”. Could you go into detail on what the situation was like and was it threatening your Crossfire Intel Challenge 7 attendance?

"Well, we liked the org, and the managers for sure, we just couldn't wait for them to get the money to support us. Sounds a bit harsh maybe, but thats the truth. So, I started checkin out other options, and I'm really glad I did, cause I found H2k :) I hope unique can sponsor their current teams in the future :)"

Next to that, you said you were “a little suspicious in the beginning when we joined, but I was persuaded that they are not talking bullshit”. Could you shed some more light on this?

"Well, I know unique esports had some teams in past and stuff, and they they weren't a "big org". I was never the one in contact with unique, so I didn't really have the chance to see everything from my perspective of things. Things started out great, but in the end it just didnt work out as both parts hoped. I don't blame anyone, cause its not easy getting sponsors these days."

What do you mean with "things started out great"? You did get everything you were promised in the beginning?

"We just enjoyed our stay in unique so far, we felt like we had a connection with adz, which was great, and everything looked fine and all. But at this time there weren't any lans announced and so."

Besides the support you get from your new home, what do you feel are the benefits of your move to H2k?

"Well of course, H2k is bigger, more known and so. So ye of course :) H2k have been great to us and we really apreciate everything they do for us."

H2k were recently ranked third in Europe by Cadred, ahead of your fellow Swedes from fnatic. Your thoughts on your placing and the rankings in general?

"Haha, can't say I didnt like the rankings tbh :D, but we dont take it too serious, its fun of course. Gonna pick on kyo some ;) Nah but we dont care to much about the current rankings, except faeke, whose been a complete diva after the rankings!"

In your opinion, whats the main factor that has pushed H2k from being a sub top team to being a top 5 team? (question by wannabe)

"I think all 5 in our team are individually great players, we've just worked on the teamplay a lot and for me it was just a matter of time before we became top5 in europe. :) Teamplay is what you need in cod4."

What teams and players have impressed you the most in recent practise games?

"Reason Gaming have always been a great team in my eyes, awesome individuals aswell. Hope they can get enough practise for the lans. I'm also very impressed by YYT, they will be a danger to all teams at LAN. We've got Dignitas of course, with one of the best scopes in the scene, which will always bring some fear to their opponents. minibear will do some serious damage at cic!"

How has the team managed to stick together for so long despite the majority of the players seemingly receiving offers from top teams like fnatic and Team Dignitas? (question by wannabe)

"The offers were all around us really, we just had a talk about it and we decided to stay together. Some of the team members have been thinking about the offers we've had though, but we sticked together as you can see!"

Does the team feel any added pressure, now that you’re going into a tournament as one of the favorites instead of underdogs (The Experience 2009)?

"Well, it feels different, but we don't feel the pressure, atleast I don't. It will be a great event and I think there are 5-7 teams that will compete for first place."

What does the team’s practise schedule look like for the coming month?

"Nothing special, trying out new stuff, we've got visseh now instead of mys as our main 5th, so Mumma is goin to AK and visseh will SMG with me. So we've changed playstyle a little, which is kind of new for us, so we aren't too well prepared yet. However, that's what we're working on right now, so in 1 month I expect us to be 5 machines, which might be impossible, cause theres only one machine: the miRMACHINE".

“We will not be happy if we do not … at CIC7”?

"I'd be really happy with a top3 finish, but I wouldn't be sad if we came 7-10th, as long as we did our best."