By now, probably every CS:GO-fan in the world knows what’s coming up.
On Thursday, the best teams in the world begin to fight for the 250 000 dollar prizepool and the prestige that follow a major win.
One who happen to know a little about CS:GO and the scene overall is former major winner, turned colorcaster, Robin ”Fifflaren” Johansson.
– I was so nervous the first time I was going to commentate, but these days I feel a lot more comfortable, he says to Aftonbladet Esport ahead of his second major behind the desk.

ESL One in Cologne will commence on Thursday afternoon, local time. The best teams in the world have gathered in Germany to battle it out for the 250 000 dollar prizepoll.

Last year, Robin ”Fifflaren” Johansson, was a part of Ninjas in Pyjamas who went on to win the major that was played at Gamescom. This year however, the tournament have moved to a bigger stage, and Fifflaren have relinquished his seat behind the screen and is now guiding the viewers in the biggest FPS on the gaming hemisphere.
– I’m no longer nervous when I do a broadcast, instead I’m trying to have fun with it which makes it a lot more relaxed. At the end of the day, I’m here to analyze the game and not try and hype what is going on. That’s not really not the kind of person I am so I let people who are better at that make the games more thrilling. I only tell what the teams did good, and not so good, the former ninja says to Aftonbladet Esport.

”A lot of teams can pull an upset”

In an interview with Aftonbladet Esport, Patrik ”f0rest” Lindberg, said that Ninjas in Pyjamas ambition is to defend their title in Cologne from 2o14. A task f0rests old team mate doesn’t see happening, instead there’s an other Swedish team that could pull through.
– There are so many good teams in this tournament. A lot of teams can pull an upset, but at the end of the day I believe it will be two of the favorites converging in the finals and I have a really strong feeling that Fnatic will be there, and probably win the entire thing.

Who will be the MVP of the tournament?
– Olof ”olofmeister” Kajbjer.

Controversial pick?
– Not really, Fifflaren says with laughter and continues:
– Olofmeister is the best player in the world. He’s hands down the best. During the entire year he have been extremely good and I’m certain that form won’t evaporate all of a sudden. I think he will play as good as he always plays.

With his unique insight to the professional CS:GO-scene, Fifflaren delivers his analysis to the audience, guiding us through each match he commentates. Even though the time is limited, the former pro try to educate not only the beginners, but also the seasoned Match Making wonderkid.
– As an analysist, you have to spread the knowledge you have. We have a lot of new players watching our broadcast, especially during the majors, and I’m trying to explain everything that is going on in the game so even they can understand.
– When I started to do commentaries, many people were worried that I would be biased towards Ninjas in Pyjamas. But in reality, I might be their biggest critic since I know how good those players can be and how they should be able to play better in certain situations.

”Individual skill determines the games”

As only one day remain before the first day of ESL One, Fifflaren explains that most teams have not cared about the tournaments played the last month. The goal for the teams, according to Johansson, have been to not disclose any new tactics or positions.
– At the same time CS:GO have become a game where individual skill determines the outcome more and more. You can have the best strategies in the world, but if you don’t nail the shots, your misstakes will cost you dearly.