“We’re not b—es!”: YEKINDAR on Liquid’s IEM Katowice run –

Following his standout performance at IEM Katowice 2023, Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis provides exclusive insights into Team Liquid’s development and the subtle cultural adjustments required when transitioning from CIS to North American team structures.

Team Liquid secured a respectable third-place finish at the prestigious event, earning $80,000 while sharing the podium position with Natus Vincere. The Latvian rifler delivered impressive statistics with 78.9 damage per round and a 1.18 HLTV impact rating, demonstrating his crucial role in the squad’s playoff campaign.

WIN.gg: Having spent several months with the organization, how has your adaptation to Team Liquid’s system progressed compared to your Virtus.pro experience?

YEKINDAR: The transition has been remarkably smooth from the beginning. What immediately stood out was the collective commitment to excellence – every member demonstrates genuine dedication to personal and team improvement. We achieved solid results early, though we encountered specific challenges that required attention. These ranged from psychological barriers to tactical in-game issues. The team’s progression has been encouraging, and our Katowice performance validated our developmental trajectory.

This tournament particularly highlighted our individual capabilities more effectively than any previous competition. Each player delivered standout moments – multiple aces, crucial clutches, and consistent performances across the board, with myself being the exception in terms of personal satisfaction. This collective excellence revealed substantial insights about our team’s character and technical abilities.

The most significant adjustment involved cultural communication norms. When competing with Virtus.pro alongside CIS teammates, I could express thoughts with complete transparency and directness. Within the North American context, delivering constructive criticism requires more measured phrasing and careful timing when addressing concerns. I’ve adapted to this communication style, and overall, our tournament results reflect positive development.

FaZe Clan entered as tournament favorites, yet your team eliminated them during group stages. Describe the emotional intensity during those critical final rounds on Mirage.

We established dominant control on Mirage’s terrorist side, securing a 10-5 half. Our defensive side began encountering difficulties, but we quickly identified the specific gaps in our positioning and decision-making during those challenging rounds. Our team’s psychological resilience proved exceptional – despite surrendering seven consecutive rounds in high-pressure playoff qualification circumstances, we developed effective counter-strategies against FaZe’s system. Overcoming such an elite opponent requires substantial strategic adaptation.

I was particularly impressed by our ability to maintain composure and eventually secure the victory. The emotional release culminated in my exclamation “We’re not bitches!” (laughs)

Surrendering a 10-5 CT side advantage would have severely impacted our confidence moving forward. Successfully closing that match provided crucial momentum that directly benefited subsequent performances, particularly our Overpass encounter against Team Vitality. This mental toughness represents a cornerstone of our competitive identity.

Your 2-1 victory against Team Vitality featured an incredible comeback. How did the team process that 2-13 deficit turnaround?

That comeback victory substantially boosted our confidence and reinforced belief in our capacity to overcome any match situation. Competitive success fundamentally resides in mental fortitude – when executing proper strategies complemented by individual excellence, we can triumph regardless of scoreline circumstances. We nearly replicated this against G2 Esports, though additional mistakes occurred in that series.

During our Overpass match against Vitality, something fundamentally shifted in our collective mindset. This psychological breakthrough represents an invaluable team characteristic for sustained competitive success.

Does competing in CSGO’s spiritual home, Katowice, generate distinctive excitement?

Performing in the esports capital consistently ranks among my premier tournament experiences. This marks my third consecutive onsite appearance, extending to four including online editions. The city’s compact nature creates familiar surroundings that feel instantly recognizable each visit.

You recall everything as though you were here just yesterday, correct? Annual consistency characterizes the experience – identical dining establishments, familiar staff members, and consistent environments. This historical tournament maintains significant importance within the competitive landscape. The familiar setting provides comforting stability for all participants. I perceive the competitive standard at Katowice as unparalleled globally.

What are your thoughts regarding the current M4A4 and M4A1-S usage distribution?

I experimented with returning to the M4A4, but concluded its spray control demands greater technical proficiency. Substantial dedicated practice becomes necessary to achieve consistent mastery. Weapon selection also depends heavily on individual aiming technique and firing style preferences.

Consequently, I favor the M4A1-S, having maintained this preference even during periods of widespread A4 adoption. I’ll likely continue with the silenced variant, while Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski utilizes the A4. The current equilibrium appears well-balanced at approximately 50/50 usage distribution.

Valve successfully established effective equilibrium between these primary rifle options. For players considering weapon selection, the A1-S offers superior spray control for aggressive playstyles, while the A4 provides higher damage output potential for precision-focused gamers. Understanding your weapon characteristics proves crucial for optimal performance.

How has your perspective on Anubis evolved following substantial competitive experience?

I appreciate the map’s inclusion. It introduces refreshing diversity to the competitive pool, though the B bombsite presents defensive challenges due to rapid split opportunities for attackers.

Consequently, CT side execution proves particularly demanding. I consider Anubis the most terrorist-favored map currently available. While fundamentally strong, the layout requires additional refinement or potential meta evolution.

Our squad has accumulated more Anubis experience than any other team, resulting in significant strategic development. We’ve contested eight matches on this battleground, with each engagement yielding incremental improvements.

Strategic adjustments occur continuously – identifying effective positions, recognizing tactical errors, and implementing improvements. As a recent addition, some inconsistency persists, though the developmental direction remains positive. Comparatively, I evaluate Anubis as superior to Vertigo in terms of competitive viability and spectator experience. Teams seeking comprehensive strategic approaches should prioritize mid-control and aggressive A-site executions.

How did your Counter-Strike journey begin?

My uncle gifted me Counter-Strike 1.6 installation media when I was six years old. Since my father owned a computer, I began playing the classic version casually. The transition from 1.6 to Global Offensive’s release initially met resistance – the original represented the definitive experience for me.

Eventually transitioning to CSGO, that marked the beginning of my competitive path. While experimenting with various gaming titles, Counter-Strike consistently maintained special significance throughout my development.

When did you recognize professional gaming as a viable career path?

Approximately age 15 represented the turning point. I participated in regional competitions, achieving success in local 1v1, 2v2, and full team tournaments. By sixteen, I secured my initial professional contract. Receiving that first contract solidified my determination – “I will pursue this professionally, continuously striving for improvement and global dominance.”

What inspired your distinctive gamertag?

I created a League of Legends account, closed my eyes, and randomly keyboard input generated the identifier.

Do you engage with gaming titles beyond Counter-Strike?

Personally, I play Dota 2 and Heroes of Might and Magic 3. Heroes represents a timeless classic that provides excellent cognitive warm-up exercises. The strategic depth remains exceptional – I’ve enjoyed this title throughout my youth and continue deriving satisfaction. Dota 2 offers more relaxed engagement. When experiencing Counter-Strike mental fatigue, I transition to Dota ranked matches. This diversity proves beneficial by introducing varied strategic perspectives.

The macro-level gameplay similarities enable drawing parallels between CS and Dota strategic concepts. Certain tactical implementations I’ve incorporated into Counter-Strike originated from Dota gameplay observations. Specifically, The International tournaments and competitive mental frameworks. The strategic correlations between CSGO and Dota 2 provide valuable competitive insights for professional players considering class specialization and team composition strategies.

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