dRiim: "I hope there will be upsets"

HLTV.org has conducted an interview with Playzone member Miikka "dRiim" Toroi in which he comments on their group and expectations prior to the Electronic Sports World Cup 2010.

The Electronic Sports World Cup will be Playzone's second international event, following their stint at The Gathering in Norway. Although the squad does not hold much international experience, Toroi is looking optimistic at the tournament.

Playzone also won the first Finnish World Cyber Games qualifier, but their contenders at ESWC will be much harder. This does however not seem to affect the Finn.

In this exclusiveinterview, Toroi discusses his team's chances, possible outcomes and their goal for the tournament.  

You have been placed in Group H along with mousesports and the Danish mix OSLF.dk. What is your opinion about the group?Don't know much about OSLF.dk but they have some nice players, still as a mix i think they're the underdogs in the group and we fight with mouz about who will top the groupPlayers and spectators have high anticipations for the new edition of Electronic Sports World Cup. What are your expectations for the tournament and event?ESWC is one of the most prestigious events this year and I expect every team going allout, and ofcourse i wish there happens some upsets, just for making it more exciting. As for the tournament i'm guessing there will be no surprise winner, but not going to guess who will take the event. Hoping for us ofcourse;)Looking past the Finnish World Cyber Games qualifier, and The Gathering, you guys have not attended any major, international tournaments compared to other top teams. While teams have been able to study their opponents during these tournaments, few have a good read on Playzone. Do you see this as an advantage, and can it cause a possible upset?Well ofcourse it's an advantage that there are not many demos from us anywhere, but since they player and leader change we've changed our strats anyway so it doesn't have much effect. We've still practiced against the other teams and I think we all have some insight to every teams playing style.Looking back to the start of this month, you were welcomed back to Playzone on the behalf of losing VIDI. How has your team been working out so far? We've had to change some CT positions due to it, but i think it has only made our ct sides better. We've been praccing for some time now for ESWC and things are looking good for us. I myself got high expectasions for our success.xx anything missing, anything to improve ahead of ESWC?If you manage to place top two in your group, you will advance to a second group stage where the level of teams are eminent. Do you see Playzone going any further than the second group stage?Our goal is to get out of the second group stage. It's a placement we have all are pleased to finish with.How has your team been practicing for the grand tournament? We've been praccing every day for 2weeks for about 5hours per day.Have you set yourselves any goals, if so, what are they?Our goal is to get out of the second group stage.At the KODE5 Germany final, the Danish mix of OSLF.dk sent both mousesports and Alternate out of the tournament, the latter in the Grand Final. Do you see OSLF.dk as a greater contender than mousesports, even though they are only a mix team?Not really, they might have had a good day or so back then and caught mouz by surprise, but I don't think they're gonna beat mousesports again at ESWC. But ofcourse they are a mixteam and everything can happen, but with the preparation we've done for ESWC I really expect us and mousesports topping the group. 

You have been placed in Group H along with mousesports and the Danish mix OSLF.dk. What is your opinion about the group?

Don't know much about OSLF.dk, but they have some nice players. Still as a mix I think they're the underdogs in the group, and we will fight with mouz about who will top the group.

Players and spectators have high anticipations for the new edition of Electronic Sports World Cup. What are your expectations for the tournament and event?

ESWC is one of the most prestigious events this year and I expect every team going all out, and of course I hope there will be some upsets, just to make it more exciting. As for the tournament I'm guessing there will be no "surprise winner", but not going to guess who will take the event. Hoping for us of course ;)

Looking past the Finnish World Cyber Games qualifier, and The Gathering, you guys have not attended any major, international tournaments compared to other top teams. While teams have been able to study their opponents during these tournaments, few have a good read on Playzone. Do you see this as an advantage, and can it cause a possible upset?

Well of course it's an advantage that there are not many demos from us anywhere, but since the player and leader-change, we've changed our strats anyway, so it doesn't have much effect. We've still practiced against the other teams and I think we all have some insight to every teams playing style.

Looking back to the start of this month, you were reintroduced to Playzone on the behalf of losing VIDI. How has your team been working out so far? 

We've had to change some CT positions due to it, but I think it has only made our CT side better. We've been praccing for some time now, ahead of ESWC, and things are looking good for us. I myself got high expectations for our success.

If you manage to place top two in your group, you will advance to a second group stage where the level of teams are eminent. Do you see Playzone going any further than the second group stage?

Our goal is to get out of the second group stage. It's a placement we all are pleased to finish with.

How has your team been practicing for the grand tournament?

We've been praccing every day for 2 weeks for about 5 hours per day.

At the KODE5 Germany final, the Danish mix of OSLF.dk sent both mousesports and Alternate out of the tournament, the latter in the Grand Final. Do you look upon OSLF.dk as a greater contender than mousesports, even though they are only a mix team?

Not really, they might have had a good day or so back then and caught mouz by surprise, but I don't think they're gonna beat mousesports again at ESWC. But of course they are a mix-team and everything can happen, but with the preparations we've done for ESWC I really expect us and mousesports topping the group. 

Do you have any other events than ESWC planned this year?

WCG Nordic is the only event we've planned to attend so far. Have to see.

Playzone have been drawn in Group H alongside mousesports and OSLF.dk. Stay locked to HLTV.org for more ESWC 2010 pre-coverage, as well as on-site coverage from ESWC 2010 July 1-4.