FlyQuest’s Santorin says beating EG “feels like another day of scrims”

Despite battling illness during the semifinal match, FlyQuest’s jungler Lucas “Santorin” Kilmer Larsen delivered a commanding performance against Evil Geniuses. The team secured their LCS Spring Split finals berth with a decisive 3-1 victory that showcased their resilience under pressure.

In his post-match discussion, Santorin detailed the team’s preparation approach and championship mindset heading into their showdown with Cloud9. The interview covered strategic insights, roster dynamics, and international competition perspectives.

How did you manage competing while feeling unwell?

Santorin: Managing physical discomfort during professional play requires specific coping strategies. The critical factors affecting performance are severe headaches or dizziness that disrupt focus and coordination. Since gaming primarily involves computer interaction, other symptoms become manageable with proper mental discipline. My nutritional approach today wasn’t ideal, which may impact recovery later.

What was your emotional response to today’s victory?

The achievement feels significant, though the remote competition environment creates a different emotional experience. Traditional stage performances with live audiences generate substantially more excitement and energy. Competing from personal spaces creates a psychological similarity to practice sessions rather than high-stakes matches.

Reaching the top two positions exceeds our initial expectations for this split. The accomplishment represents meaningful progress in our competitive development.

What were your preseason expectations for the 2020 Spring Split?

Our 2018 Summer performance established competitive credibility, while 2019 presented significant developmental challenges. Entering 2020, I maintained strong confidence in our roster composition and individual capabilities. Solo’s integration demonstrated immediate positive impact through his consistent performance and strategic understanding.

During the offseason assessment, Team Liquid and Cloud9 appeared as dominant forces. The competitive landscape evolution revealed Cloud9 as the primary championship contender. While facing them presents substantial difficulty, we’ve identified exploitable weaknesses in their approach.

Which factors contributed most to your team’s competitive improvement?

Individual skill sets across our roster consistently demonstrate elite-level execution. Early season coordination required extensive work to establish unified strategic thinking and decision-making frameworks. Playoff competition provided the intensive experience needed to solidify our collaborative dynamics.

Regular season performance established our competitive foundation, but playoff evolution transformed us into championship contenders. The combination of accumulated match experience and Solo’s strategic contributions created our current cohesive identity.

What strategic adjustments reversed your previous performance against Evil Geniuses?

Our initial encounter with EG revealed coordination gaps and strategic inconsistencies. Through sustained competitive engagement, we systematically refined our drafting philosophy and champion selection methodology.

Our progression from top-four contenders to finals participants resulted from deliberate refinement processes. We identified optimal champion combinations that maximize our players’ strengths while minimizing execution risks.

Managing a six-player roster introduces dynamic complexity that requires careful navigation. Each substitution alters team chemistry and requires adjustment periods that impact immediate performance consistency.

What caused the momentum shift during the third game?

The critical turning point occurred during an early mid-lane engagement where we suffered significant strategic disadvantage. This created insurmountable recovery challenges that EG effectively capitalized on through snowballing advantages.

The game-three outcome resulted from execution errors rather than opponent superiority. This understanding maintained our confidence heading into the decisive fourth match, knowing we controlled the correction process.

What preparation approach will you implement for tomorrow’s finals?

Our preparation methodology addresses Cloud9’s distinctive competitive attributes. Previous opponents demonstrated predictable strategic patterns and champion preferences. Cloud9’s versatility requires comprehensive counter-strategy development and flexible draft preparation.

Consecutive best-of-five series create substantial physical and mental fatigue. Our preparation balance includes strategic meetings, technical review sessions, and necessary recovery periods. Video analysis will identify correctable mistakes while maintaining optimal competitive readiness.

Do you share IgNar’s confidence about defeating Cloud9?

I maintain realistic confidence about our competitive chances against Cloud9. Throughout our encounters, we’ve demonstrated capacity to outperform them during extended sequences. While external expectations favor Cloud9, championship pressure introduces variables that could impact their performance consistency.

How would FlyQuest perform internationally if you win the championship?

Current regional meta developments display significant strategic diversity across competitive landscapes. Some international matchups present favorable conditions, while others require significant adaptation. Victory against Cloud9 would demonstrate readiness for global competition challenges.

The Europe versus North America dynamic involves substantial meta divergence that complicates prediction. LCK’s methodical approach aligns well with our late-game execution strengths and carry potential.

What are your thoughts on MSI’s scheduling during Summer Split?

The mid-split international competition creates challenging preparation and recovery timelines. Limited offseason recovery increases burnout risks that require careful management. Coronavirus considerations introduce additional uncertainty about event feasibility.

My previous MSI experience involved performance challenges I’m motivated to overcome. The opportunity to compete internationally remains a significant competitive objective.

Which teams do you anticipate dominating the Summer Split?

Cloud9’s continued dominance appears inevitable given their current form. Team Liquid’s roster possesses exceptional individual talent that suggests strong rebound potential. Our continued development positions us as consistent championship contenders.

TSM’s inconsistency masks their peak performance capability when executing optimally. Their A-game demonstrates championship-level execution, though consistency remains their primary challenge.

Where might Doublelift land if he leaves Team Liquid?

Doublelift’s competitive standards consistently prioritize championship-contending organizations. A TSM reunion with Biofrost represents a logical competitive progression given their historical synergy and championship pedigree.

For players looking to improve their strategic understanding, our Complete Guide provides comprehensive strategic frameworks. Weapon selection and optimization are covered in our detailed Weapons Unlock resource, while class specialization guidance is available in the Class Guide that details advanced tactical approaches.

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