MDK Fresskowy: “It’s just a matter of time” until MAD reaches G2’s level

MAD Lions KOI and its rookie-filled roster defied all odds to make it to the LEC Winter Split Final. Ultimately, European powerhouse G2 Esports proved a step too far for the Spanish side as MDK were bested 3-1 in the title-deciding series.

Following the loss, I spoke with MAD’s mid laner Bartłomiej “Fresskowy” Przewoźnik.

Esports.net: How did you find your first major final?

Fresskowy: It felt great, but it really sucks to lose. I think I underperformed a lot, especially the last games, and it really sucks to lose because I think we could easily beat that team, so I’m really disappointed with myself.

Lee Jones: You had a formidable opponent with Caps as the opposing mid laner.

How did you prepare to face him in the series?

Fresskowy: We didn’t have much time to prepare obviously because we played three best-of-fives in a row, so we didn’t really have a real clear plan as we just had 24 hours to prepare.

For sure it was great to play against him because I think he’s by far the best, so I could challenge myself. I do believe I played fine maybe one game, but I still think I underperformed heavily.

Lee Jones: You mention the short prep time – your side also ended up playing 14 matches in the last three days.

How do you think fatigue had an effect on today’s final?

Fresskowy: I’m not really sure, because I would need to be more calm and rethink all of that, but for sure it probably had some effect. I feel really tired now but, for me, that’s not even an excuse because of course there’s going to be tournaments like Worlds that we want to qualify for that have even more intense schedules.

In general the LEC Schedule is kinda tense so I think we need to get used to that tempo. So for me it’s not even an excuse — feeling tired at that moment — because I think it means that I did something wrong.

Despite today’s defeat, are you able to take pride in what the team has accomplished this split despite the initial impressions from outsiders?

Fresskowy: Some things I’m proud of, but in that moment, for me, it’s very difficult to think that way since I’m a person that goes really hard on myself, and my expectations and my goal was to win. I do believe we’re capable of that, so for sure I’m not satisfied or happy after today even though we went to the final or whatever.

For me winning is everything. I do believe we’re capable of doing it, so I’m for sure not satisfied with what happened today.

What do you think you guys need to do to take that next step and put up more of a fight against G2?

I believe it’s just a matter of time. I think we just need to put the hours there.

They played together for like two years now, so they have more synergy already. Of course we do have some because we have three players that played together last year already, but I think if we just put more hours in our practice and we take it in a better way — because I don’t think we use all of our practice days as well as we could — then we’re gonna catch up to them and beat them easily I think.

Do you feel you’ve disproved the doubters who didn’t believe you belonged in the LEC?

Fresskowy: In a way yes, but I still think I need to improve a lot and I still didn’t show up at my best level. So… kinda yes, because people underrated us a lot, but, as I said, I don’t think I showed up at my best level. I think I can be way better than that, I know I will be way better than that in the future.

Lee Jones: I saw your interview with Sheep Esports where you talked about having a really good routine and taking care of yourself that way.

Do you think that’s helped you keep grinding beyond the normal ‘rookie’ age until you got your LEC shot?

Fresskowy: Yeah, for sure. I do believe we’re a bit lazy in Europe, so we are all kind of more disciplined people in our team. And especially me, I have very strict routines because I want to win and I want to be the best. I want to compete internationally, not only in Europe. I do believe it’s very important to disconnect as well and take care of yourselves. That’s why we have psychologists, that’s why we need to try to disconnect every day by doing something else because I think it’s very dangerous, of course, when you overwork.

I think people overuse the word ‘burnout’ in Europe, because I think people are not even close to working as hard as in Asia, and very often we are saying we are burnt out or whatever just to make an excuse.

Lee Jones: I saw that you’ve been grinding Duolingo as the only non-Spanish player on the roster.

Is there a plan for comms to transition to Spanish?

I don’t think so. I’m learning Spanish because I want to know it at some point. It’s very hard because I need to spend a lot of time learning it but it would be nice because I have so many people that I know in Spain.

I don’t think the comms would make a big difference since everyone speaks English fluently in our team, but it’s just a nice addition to maybe understand people better in a way or be committed to the Spanish communities because I’ve been there for three years.

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