In this post-match interview after the loss game against DRX in this
VALORANT Chamions Paris Group Stage,
Kamil "Kamo" Frąckowiak examines the moves that led to the outcome, moving from immediate, on-server causes to broader lessons about resilience, role balance and composure under pressure. He also discusses teamwork shortcomings, unfamiliar mid-round scenarios from DRX, and how specific compositions and defensive passivity influenced the outcome. Finally, he reflects on routines, role mastery, and his ambitions for the remainder of the tournament.
What, in your view, caused today’s loss against DRX?
Kamil "kamo" Frąckowiak: "I don’t think we played as a team today, which is why the defeat looks the way it does. There were many rounds we could have handled better together, but we didn’t. I haven’t overanalyzed it yet, but for now I’d say it comes down to how we functioned as a unit.
Did you encounter situations you hadn’t really practiced?
kamo: Yes. There were quite a few rounds we simply hadn’t faced in practice, at least from my point of view. In several moments, I couldn’t predict what the opponents would do. It’s VALORANT, though, you have to be prepared for the unpredictable. Their Abyss composition. It’s difficult to play against, and their executes were very strong, stronger than anything I had seen in similar setups.
How would you assess your defensive side?
kamo: We didn’t have the nerve to seize the initiative. We let them come to us, execute, and overwhelm us. Later, when we decided to push the pace, we started winning the micro-fights.
How do you experience the pressure of a final and lifting a trophy of EMEA?
kamo: Lifting the trophy is obviously special, but during the match I didn’t feel much pressure. It didn’t even feel like a final until I was actually holding the trophy. There weren’t many emotions while we were playing, so it’s hard to describe.
You will face EDG on the next match, do you thoughts on the matchup history and the strength of your group?
kamo: We played them in Bangkok and lost, now we have a chance for revenge. Our group is very strong with DRX, NRG, EDG, and us but if we fix what went wrong today, we should be fine for the next matches and qualify for playoffs. And i’m just going to play my game nothing more, nothing less.
Photo by Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
Do you use any routines to stay composed on stage?
kamo: A breathing technique is the most important tool for me. It helps me calm down a lot, and I think most players use it.
As a Duelist, what has been the hardest skill to master?
kamo: Finding the balance between aggression and patience. I feel I handle that balance well now. From the outside my role may look like “hard entry, send it” but internally every player has specific responsibilities. I don’t want to share role details publicly.
How does the team change when you run double Duelist with Georgio "Keiko" Sanassy?
kamo: Today Keiko didn’t get many opportunities, but when we run double Duelist we both have the freedom we need to pop off. We’re both naturally aggressive, and that’s why those compositions suit us.
You play with KOI before joining TL, what did you learn last season that helps you now?
kamo: Resilience. During Coral last year we were losing match after match, and I didn’t give up. That mindset helped me when I joined this team.
How confident are you about the rest of the group stage? Is there an opponent you’d especially like to face again?
kamo: We didn’t play well as a team today, but I’m confident the fixes are straightforward. We should be fine for the upcoming games, and I believe we can qualify for the playoffs, though we’ll see how it plays out. I want to face Paper Rex and G2 Esports, the teams that knocked us out before. Mostly, I want to face Paper Rex because of how they eliminated us in Toronto. I’d like a chance at payback."
Header credit photo: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
