"I will be in the industry for a very long time."
While Team Du Sud has been through many struggles this season, the team has shown glimpses of its true potential, notably during the LFL Days 2024 in Nice. Following the team's win against Solary, we took some time to talk with FEBIVEN in an exclusive interview to discuss the mid laner's career and hopes for the ongoing competitive year.
| How are you doing after winning against Solary?
FEBIVEN: "Pretty good. I think we needed this win because we have been losing a lot, but in training we have been improving a lot and we know that we are way better than what we showed. I think we're kind of, you could say choking sometimes, but today we played, we made a lot of mistakes, but we still showed that we can play a clean mid game, not perfect, but I think the game was in our hands the whole time."
| This Split hasn't been the easiest for you guys. How are you feeling about the improvements of the team so far? Are you confident about its future?
FEBIVEN: "Yeah, for sure. I think the last week [week 3] hasn't been that good, but the week before that [week 2] was really great and I think we have been getting a lot of confidence from that week of training. I think that when you lose a lot, obviously you have to change stuff and my team, I think everyone understands better what his role is in the team."
"For me it also became really clear what I have to do and what I have to play. So I think naturally you just need time for things to click, and we have been showing in scrims that we have been getting better and better. So now it's just about showing it in the matches because that's what matters. You can win every scrim or you can win most scrims, if you don't win on stage, then it's like no one cares, right?
| You are one of the most storied players in the LFL. How do you feel about playing in this league? Is your goal still to return to the LEC eventually?
FEBIVEN: "I think that the LFL is obviously the best league outside of LEC and LCS and I think that it's where the most potential is. I'm really grateful that I got this opportunity because this is where I will be truly tested and I will be able to show myself that I'm still worthy of being a good player. If I am not able to perform in this league, then I feel like I shouldn't be playing, because there's so much talent and stuff, but I definitely have the confidence and that's why I'm playing."
"If the opportunity comes again to play in LEC or LCS, then of course I will have to consider it. Right? But right now, that's too far away. Also, if it doesn't happen, I'm also at peace with it because I've played for so long and I know that I've played for six years and that's already kind of crazy if you compare it to other players that maybe get a chance once and then all of a sudden they're just out. So I think I've been really lucky with that, and it's getting harder and harder as well to promote."
| The level of play rises every year and things change. Are you afraid that this team could very well be your last chance? Are you afraid that you could be eventually forced into retirement?
FEBIVEN: "I guess, yeah, no, for sure. If this year fails, then it's done. Also, I've kind of come to accept that in a sense, but it also gives me a lot of motivation. This is kind of the last chance and I don't expect other teams to pick me up if it goes really bad, but obviously that's not what I'm focusing on. I'm focusing on the good and we can do a lot of good stuff with this team and it's just the beginning right now."
"And I'm just really happy we took a win today because it will make the team atmosphere better and we will believe in each other more and yeah, this is kind of my last chance and I will make sure that it counts. "
| Do you like the TDS roster overall? Is it different from other teams you've been on before?
FEBIVEN: "For sure it's always difficult in a new team. I think you always need to find your identity and everyone needs to understand their role. I think I have to adapt a little bit or like a few weeks because I played in SK prime and it was a super roster, that's what people were saying, and we did very well in Prime League. But the way that I played in that team, it doesn't mean that it works in this team."
"So, yeah, you really have to find your place in your team and it's a mix of inexperience and experience. But I like it because I have a lot to share and I think that's kind of my duty as a player. I don't feel like I'm just a player, I also, in a sense, coach my team because I have so much knowledge and even compared to my coaches, like, I've been in the industry way longer than them, so I can help them a lot as well."
"And usually I try to be very confident about what I believe in and what I say and I can see that translates to the team and it helps them."
| How would you rate yourself compared to other mid laners in the league?
FEBIVEN: "If I didn't have that confidence I can be one of the best in the league, then I don't think I would be playing because I'm a player that from the start always had a lot of confidence and it's never been kind of gone. So I have that foundation that I'm confident no matter what and I can be the best player in the league on the right day, in the right circumstances."
| You've been through a lot of ups and downs in your career. How have you kept yourself motivated all these years? Have you ever felt the pressure of fan expectations and backlash? How do you deal with the mental hurdle of those?
FEBIVEN: "I think as a competitor, I started playing league twelve years ago. The only thing that matters is improving and beating your enemies. And it doesn't matter what people say at all because you're just focused on your team and you're focused on winning and whatever people say there's always going to be noise from the outside. You just focus on yourself and your team and in the end, that gives me the most happiness."
"And obviously the whole journey is always so exciting to be a part of a team that wants to get better, the social interactions, events like these, they are just very enjoyable. And I've put so much time into it that when you put so much time into something, I think it's impossible to just let it go."
"Since I was 14, I started playing, now I'm 27, so it's like half my life, right? So I have so much more to give and if it’s as a player or as a coach, I'm sure I will be in the industry for a very long time, but for now, I will be playing because I should be playing."
| How have you been feeling playing on stage again? Have the fans been treating you well?
FEBIVEN: "Yeah, for sure. I got a lot of confidence from last year when I played in Prime League and we played the finals on stage as well and we beat the Unicorns 3-0. I think that series I played very well, so coming into today, I was very confident."
"Usually when I'm at home, I'm like really stressed and nervous, but today I use the confidence that I gained from that series and I think I played okay. I had really good communication and I was solid. So that's all we need to win."
| Do you have anything you want to say to the fans as well before we close out?
FEBIVEN: "Thank you. I didn't expect so much support. It's kind of crazy how dedicated some people are. Also to my team : Thank you for working very hard. Also, my CEOs, they're like super invested. I have never seen CEOs like this. It's their passion and it feels really good to give back to them because they fully trust us and it really feels like family, really. And it's just the small things that matter."
Photo Credit : Elliot Le Corre
