This Friday, FUT Esports became the first team to be eliminated from Group A of the
Rocket League tournament at the 2026
Esports World Cup. After falling to Twisted Minds in their opening match, the Turkish team suffered a second defeat in the lower bracket against Shopify Rebellion. FUT had, nevertheless, put themselves in a strong position, holding a two-game lead and therefore three match points at 3-1, before collapsing and ultimately losing 3-4.
Shortly after the match, Nick "Chronic" Iwanski spoke to Sheep Esports in an interview, in which the American player reflected on the elimination. Chronic also shared his thoughts on the French Rocket League scene and on Paris, which has hosted the last two major events.
How do you assess the team’s performance today?
Nick "Chronic" Iwanski: “Obviously not happy; it's like the same every time for us. We can't close out a series; that's very evident in us, so we just have to figure out ways to fix that.
You had a comfortable lead in the series indeed. What happened?
Chronic: I think it's pretty evident. We get less aggressive; we make different decisions. I think we get less confident in our ability to call each other off on defense. We just make a lot of dumb plays, and that's pretty much it.
With this format, you’re eliminated after two losses. Are there still any lessons you can take away from this, especially from the LCQ?
Chronic: Honestly, there's not much we really learned from this event about ourselves. Not to sound pessimistic, but it's kind of always the same thing. It's always been for us. We'll do our best to fix those, and I think we can.
Last year, you reached a Major final and finished Top 5 at Worlds, but this season you haven’t had any major achievements. How do you feel about this season?
Chronic: You know it hurts. I want to get back to the great land of results: top 2, top 4, top 8. We thought that could have been this tournament; it's very clear we could have, but that happens. That’s not fun, but I’m still confident in the ability of my team to make it back.
And where do you feel you are individually?
Chronic: I'm pretty happy with my current level. I think I've been improving a lot recently. I definitely do, all of us, but we need to. It’s the same thing as I've kind of said a lot of times: we need to figure out how to keep that level throughout a whole series and not fold in the clutch.
Chronic: No, I think the one that wins the tournament will probably be one of the EU teams. Like Karmine Corp, Vitality, Gentle Mates, or Twisted Minds, probably one of those four teams.
You've just played two events in Paris. How did you experience the journey?
Chronic: Paris is great. I really like the city. It's really hot, so hot right now. But it is a great city, and I've enjoyed playing the events here.
You have a French coach with Adam "adam_baguette" Alexandre, did he help you on the trip?
Chronic: Yeah, it is nice having a French coach. He can translate for us when we go out to eat and go out to places. It's nice. We went to the Eiffel Tower, but not too many other places besides that.
Did you feel how important Rocket League is for the French fans?
Yeah, the French fans very clearly care a ton about Rocket League. They're really passionate and super fun for the esports to have.
How would you compare it to the US scene?
Chronic: The French are clearly more passionate than the US scene. I think people a little bit overhate on US fans, but the French are on another level.
How will you prepare now for Worlds in one month?
Chronic: You know, we'll prepare for Worlds, kind of doing the same thing we've always done, grinding on our own, grinding in scrims, and just like really working hard to fix the problems that we've had. I'm very confident.”
