Team Liquid’s 2026 Kickoff debut ended in a loss to Vitality, but Dominykas
"MiniBoo" Lukaševičius didn’t sound defeated; he sounded focused. In our post-match interview, the former Heretics star spoke about a slow start, the positives he still takes from a close series, and why the new
Liquid roster already believes it can grow fast.
MiniBoo also opened up about a stressful offseason, the freedom he feels in his new environment, and more topics.
Right after this match against Vitality, how are you feeling about the game and your performance today?
Dominykas "MiniBoo" Lukaševičius: "Individually and as a team, we started a bit too late. On Breeze we started slow. On Pearl and Corrode we did better. Overall, the game was good. I’m happy with some parts of how we played, and at the same time there’s a lot to improve. For a first game, I think it was decent, and Vitality is a decent opponent. Going into the next match, I feel confident because there’s a lot to learn, and personally, it felt good to play on stage.
On Pearl, Vitality were close to winning, but you came back and took it in overtime. Where does that resilience come from so early in a new roster?
MiniBoo: We have experienced players. Me, Nats (Ayaz Akhmetshin), kamo (Kamil Frąckowiak) have played at Champions and on international stages. Even the others have been around Tier 1 for a while. Because everyone on stage is experienced, and the vibe of the team helps us stay resilient.
Do you think your international experience helped you adapt quickly to this new roster environment?
MiniBoo: Yes, especially on stage, understanding what you need to do, not getting lost, and knowing how to come back into the game.
This was your first official match under the Team Liquid banner. Did it feel like a fresh start, or a different kind of pressure?
MiniBoo: In general, in the past months, I’ve felt relieved. I feel more freedom, and more of my character shows up in the way I play. I feel more unleashed.
After years with the Heretics, Miniboo has rejoined Team Liquid. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games
Vitality is often called a superteam, but you pushed them all the way. What do you think are Liquid’s strengths, especially with a sub?
MiniBoo: It’s too early to say what our main strengths are; it’s the first game. It’s also new for us to process a loss like this as a team. But we have experienced players, and no matter what, we’ll come into the next match more prepared than we were today. I’m not sad right now. It was a good game, and we’ll learn a lot from it. I’m happy each map was close and not something like 2–13.
You came from Team Heretics and joined Liquid. How was your offseason? Was it stressful searching for a team as a VCT player?
MiniBoo: It was pretty stressful because I was stepping into uncertainty. I didn’t really have plans; I just knew I wanted something new, but I didn’t know what it would be. At times, I was practicing at night with high ping and during the day too. I didn’t really get much of a break after
Champions because I didn’t want to waste time resting while everyone was finding teams. So it was stressful, and I didn’t have much of a break, but I’m happy where I am now, and that’s the most important thing.
Why did you want to leave Team Heretics at that moment, and was it hard to separate from your brother?
MiniBoo: I just wanted something new. I felt there would be more potential in another environment at that point. It wasn’t bad for me there. I just wanted a change: a new environment, a new location, new people around me, and a different playstyle. I wanted to test myself somewhere else because I felt it would help me improve as a player and as a person.
How has your integration into Liquid been day-to-day? What was the hardest thing to adjust from your old routine?
MiniBoo: I didn’t really have to change a lot. It was more the opposite; I came in, and I’m just being myself. I have the freedom to do my own stuff and routines. We share the same vision, so we got along quickly. I have more responsibilities in the team. I’m more independent while still doing everything together.
To close it out: what are your goals this year, and what would a successful season look like for Liquid and for you personally?
MiniBoo: I have a lot of goals. The end goal, individually and as a team, is to be champions. After coming second at Champions 2024, I promised myself I’ll be back, and I’ll have a rematch. In general, I want to experience international events again and repeat or do even better than what we did with Heretics, but this time with Liquid. Individually, I want to be dominant in the server. I want people to fear me, show my character in the game, and play the way I believe is right. Over time, I’ll show I’m the boss."
