How was the in-person event? You first lost to UCAM, but then beat Falke 2-0. Bearing in mind that this was your debut and that four UB players were making their debut, how did it feel?
Pau “Pauporter” Vintró Nogué: “I would say that everyone in the team had a great time, to be honest. We didn’t go in with high expectations. Nobody expected much from us because we’d only scrimmed for three days. We couldn’t practise much at all, just barely enough to get to know each other. I think everyone in the team did their best to be able to compete against the opponents we were drawn against. It’s true that our debut match against UCAM was tough. Honestly, I don’t know how they didn’t win the Kickoff. I think they’re the best team in the league. Also, as it was our debut, I think we all played badly in the first game, to be honest. In the Elimination Bracket we had to play against Falke. Probably, along with Falke and Lua, we were the three weakest teams in the league and there was a better chance of beating them. Knowing it was a Bo3, and that losing one map wouldn’t knock us out, also gave us confidence. Also, having already played the day before, I think we all played better against Falke. I don’t think I played perfectly, I wasn’t even close from it; I don’t think I played any game incredibly well, but the feelings I’m taking away from this weekend are positive. On an individual level, I think I’ve gained a lot of confidence, and as a group we were able to hold our own despite having barely played together as a team before.
On the second day you faced MKOI Fénix. Do you think MKOI Fénix are better than UCAM? Regardless of the fact that MKOI Fénix won the Kickoff, do you think UCAM are the better team?
Pauporter: I’d say so, but I also think that MKOI Fénix didn’t play very well against us, honestly. Even so, I think UCAM is the better team.
Anyway, you also showed up against MKOI Fénix, didn’t you?
Pauporter: I think so. Obviously, if we start reviewing, we would find a thousand things we did wrong. But at the end of the day, it’s very difficult for UB to beat MKOI Fénix. They’re very different teams; there isn’t much to compare them on. Our maps against them weren’t like the ones we played against UCAM, who beat us 11 kills to one, you know? Against MKOI Fénix, we were able to show that we could do something on the rift. It may have also been because we played a bit more freestyle picks, you know?
This is Xixauxas’s (Xavier Fluxà i Millan) first ever split as a coach. What’s your opinion about him?
Pauporter: I think he’s done a good job. Given the three maps we played and the week of preparation we had, he managed the team as well as he could have. He didn’t start explaining us how to play the game. With literally only three scrims, it wouldn’t have made the difference. So, I think he played a part in ensuring we all got on well, and in teaching us the basics. Warding at level 1, or how to play certain compositions and making sure everyone had champions they felt comfortable with. And from there, we started to see how we wanted to approach the drafts. I think that worked well.
How did you end up playing for UB? Was Xixauxas the one who got in touch with you?
Pauporter: Yes, it was Xixauxas who got in touch with me. At first, UB wanted to put together a roster of people studying at their university. But it was an impossible mission. If you want to be able to compete in an ERL, there has to be a certain level. The roster we had was all people from Barcelona or the surrounding area, i.e. Spanish players. Basically, the idea was that they should have at least some connection to the UB, because if I’m not wrong Simpy (Sergi Ruiz Boloix) studied at UB, and Xixauxas and Skiller99 (Rubén Ruiz Gómez) had also studied at UB in the past. So, it was either me or Midnight (Víctor Caro Rodríguez), but Midnight had already been signed by a team. Anyway, Xixauxas also wanted to give me a try, to test me out. He already knew me a bit, because he knows me personally. But at that time I was at Barça as a substitute. It all happened very quickly. Within 48 or 72 hours I had to speak to Jandro (Alejandro Fernández-Valdés Pedrosa), Barça’s coach, my boss, and so on… To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I didn’t know if I was causing too much trouble to Barça or not. But obviously they understood my situation, helped me and supported me because it was the best thing for me. I’m very grateful to the UB and Xixauxas for the opportunity.
UB is a completely new organisation; they didn’t even have social media accounts. What do you think of UB as an organisation?
Pauporter: To be honest, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. There are many organisations that join the league and don’t have a clue or do the bare minimum. At least from the outside, it seemed last year that teams like Zeta, Ramboot or Guasones didn’t want to put their heart and soul into their projects. But at UB, I can see they’re really keen. In fact, they’re building a gaming area for the players at their premises.
At the in-person event, there was communication, a manager, a camera… I’ve noticed that it’s a serious organisation.
You’ve been getting a lot of hype on social media. There are loads of people talking about you and wanting to see you play. How are you coping with suddenly getting a solo kill on Fresskowy (Bartłomiej Przewoźnik) and having memes made about you? Do you like that sort of content? Does it make you proud in any way?
Pauporter: I think it’s an extra bit of motivation. It’s something I never expected, to be honest. I’m really grateful that there are people creating these stories and supporting the players.
What can we expect from Pauporter for the rest of 2026? How will you approach this year?
Pauporter: I want to keep competing. Obviously things are going to get more serious and I’ll have to train a lot harder. I’ll also have to step out of my comfort zone and play new champions. And above all, I’ll have to learn a lot. But I’m up for it. It’s not something I’m not ready for. I’m keen to work hard over the coming months until the next split begins and to really show a solid side of myself in the next split because, after all, it’s only been five games so far. I’m looking forward to playing against Barça and all the teams in general in the coming split and being able to show what I’m capable of.
What has Barça thaught you over the last few years, even though you haven’t made your debut with them?
Pauporter: It’s been a mental boost above all. Although I never made my debut, I gained experience as a player with them; I went through all sorts of situations from which you learn and which help you in the future. I’ve also improved at Barça thanks to the coaching staff and the players who’ve taught me a lot of things. But I’d say above all I’ve learnt to handle certain situations. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t nervous when playing against UCAM, or that I wasn’t nervous when playing against Falke with elimination on the line. Those are things that come with being a rookie, or just being human, I suppose. But it’s definitely helped me. 100%.
Any final message to round off the interview?
Pauporter: I’m looking forward to playing next split. The Kickoff has got me hyped. I’ve finished this weekend wanting more. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the start of the next split, so I can play, improve and take on Legolas.
