The start of the LEC Summer Split has been mixed for Ilias "nuc" Bizriken and Team BDS. In Week 1, the Swiss organization secured a win against SK Gaming but suffered a heavy defeat to Fnatic in Week 2. Two players made their debut: Shin "Rooster" Yun-hwan in the toplane and Mehdi "Boukada" Lahlou in the jungle. Sheep Esports spoke with nuc in an interview about the loss to Fnatic, in-game voice communication within the team, Yoon "Poby" Sung-won, and the contract extension of his head coach Yanis "Striker" Kella.

What did you think of the best-of series and your defeat against Fnatic?

Ilias "nuc" Bizriken: "They simply played the game better, in the sense that they seized the windows they needed to — windows to secure vision, to find fights, to create opportunities and to take risks. In contrast, we did not do that. We played passively and tried to avoid being proactive. As a result, they completely outperformed us in that regard.

You drafted more for the mid to late game, and the key was to hold the early game—but you struggled to do so. Do you think that was the main issue?

nuc: That sums it up well. Our drafts were built for teamfighting. In the second game, we went for a slightly more aggressive draft and botlane was still about scaling. They gained an advantage with a gank, then I died on a ward in the mid bush. The early game snowballed from there. In mid game, we had opportunities, the game wasn’t over, but we didn’t take them. So it just ended quickly because we kept playing defensively, losing tempo and map control. Eventually, playing like that means you lose.

Usually, we see more ROA builds on Viktor, but today you went for Blackfire Torch instead. What was the reason behind that choice?

nuc: I felt that in this game, I needed to deal damage and create plays. In my mind, the way I saw it was that Ryze would gain push after his first recall, and we’d lose the side lanes. The only way to prevent the game from exploding was if I kept fighting. That’s why I didn’t go for a health-focused build—otherwise, I couldn’t push the wave, and everything would just stall. Even so, in the early game they took control: they dove bot on the first pathing, then dove top when Xin Zhao was on the botside, and after that, the game just exploded.

Before the series, you and Poby traded some jabs on X. Does that motivate you or add pressure? Also, will you rename yourself in solo queue?

nuc: I have to rename—I keep my word. But yeah, it’s funny. I don’t think it changes anything about the match or what happens before or after, but it’s entertaining and builds hype. For Poby and his personality in the LEC, it’s really useful, so it’s all good.

Speaking of Poby, what did you think of him?

nuc: I think he’s very good. Even in scrims and lane, he’s probably stronger than Humanoid (Marek Brazda) during the laning phase. But when Humanoid was playing, they had "smarter" map movements. With this version of Fnatic, though, it feels like everyone gets along really well and is on the same page. So, respect.

What does BDS’s communication sound like now after the two topside changes?

nuc: It’s a bit... unclear. I’m not sure how to explain it. The most recent memory I have of the communication is from the game against Fnatic, and it was a disaster—we weren’t doing anything.

I guess things went a bit better against SK last week?

nuc: Even against SK, it was a similar feeling. We won, but I don’t think we won because of good communication or being on the same page. We had a big early lead, then did nothing for the rest of the game. Part of the problem is communication—we don’t know as a team of five how to properly progress the game or play correctly. It’s something we definitely need to work on, because if we don’t fix it, we won’t win games.

Do you think BDS can reach Worlds?

nuc: Honestly, KC and KOI are both very well established, especially given what we showed in recent series. As for us, the third spot is basically between G2 and Fnatic—though we got destroyed by Fnatic. We just need to transform because I hope that’s not our true level on stage. We all need to become a new team that moves as five and executes together.

Which champion do you feel most comfortable playing, or simply enjoy the most?

nuc: I’d say Sylas

There wasn’t a Sylas angle today?

nuc: No, I don’t think so. They had Yunara, Azir, and Poppy—so forget it, I couldn’t play Sylas. Well, in Game 1 there was an angle if I picked later, but we chose Viktor third.

Do you think G2 and KOI’s participation in MSI and the Esports World Cup gives them an advantage over the rest of the league, or does fatigue also come into play?

nuc: I think fatigue definitely plays a big role, but when you keep winning—as we did a lot in 2024—vacations and rest don’t really matter. You’re just in the zone, going from one match to the next. Winning brings enjoyment, so you don’t really think about resting. It’s only when things start to fall apart that you feel the need to take a break, but when you’re winning, that feeling doesn’t come.

What do you think of the format with four best-of-threes across two separate groups and playing one best-of-three per week?

nuc: I think it’s a good thing. Given that we’re a new team, having just one best-of-three to play each week works in our favor. It gives us more time to develop and grow as a team. As for the format itself, I don’t have a strong opinion—it’s new. In our situation, the split lasts as long as possible with only one BO per week, but overall, it’s fine.

Striker’s contract was extended until 2026, and you’re signed with BDS through then as well. Could it affect your off-season decisions if offers come?

nuc: Honestly, it didn’t really affect me. It’s just a contract signing, nothing positive or negative. It won't influence my decisions in that way. I’m more focused on the project with BDS, but we don’t know what will happen throughout the year. This season feels like a downward slope—we finished sixth in Winter, eighth in Spring—and I don’t want to place lower than eighth. I want to aim higher. It’s hard to plan ahead with the current situation.