With just a few minutes remaining until the ESL Extreme Masters Global Finals start, most of the teams and players are finishing their preparations for the tournament right now. However Danny ‚BERRY‘ Krüger of the Danish participator TCM-Gaming took some time for an interview with readmore.de. He willingly answered questions particularly regarding the team’s trip to Germany and still calculated themselves good chances to overcome the group stage and reach the playoffs.
In 2011 BERRY, who has been playing for teams such as OSLF.dk, Team CMAX and XayaGaming in the past, wants to make it better. After qualifying for the World Championship via IEM European Finals V in Kiew once again, the indie-team ‚No Problem!‘ decided to join the organization TCM-Gaming. Furthermore Taymaz ‚TAY‘ Babaiasl got replaced by Nikolaj ‚Nuggi‘ Larsen just a few days ago. With a new name and a new lineup the team is now going to be about to master the group stage.
readmore.de: In 2010 you and your team spectaculary placed third at the IEM European Finals and beat AGAiN, mousesports and SK Gaming. But when you attented the World Championship in Hannover you lost every single one of your five matches in the groupstage. So, are you looking forward to the CeBIT this year anyways? Are you feeling some kind of special pressure not to suffer an utter defeat again?
Danny ‚BERRY‚ Krüger: Last year we got our game going at the European finals, but at World Finals 2010 we had a really really bad day. The pressure is not that big and if we can get our game going like at the European Finals, then I don’t think we will feel any at all. I’m really looking forward to the tournament since it’s held at CeBIT and I always like to see places like this.
readmore.de: Since a few weeks ago you guys played as an „indie team“. Which advantages did you expect by joining TCM-Gaming? Are there bigger prospects as you play for such a big organization right now?
BERRY: We are really happy to be in TCM-Gaming. We do only have to focus on gaming and nothing more.
readmore.de: Why did you make changes in your roster short time before such a big event will take place, instead of being pretty successful with the former lineup? What’s the difference between Nuggi and TAY?
BERRY: We did not change. TAY did not have the motivation to continue playing anymore. The difference between the two is, that Nuggi has got more experience than TAY so he knows more.
readmore.de: There’s not been much time for you and your team since Nuggi has just joined the roster a few days ago. The upcoming weekend you guys will be bootcamping. Where does the bootcamp take place and will your training be enough to keep up with the world’s elite?BERRY: It has been taking place in Albertslund at Friis place. Our training has really been improving since we started the bootcamp. I know we can keep up with the world’s elite if we play our best.
readmore.de: Usually the IEM Event at the CeBIT is affected by a big noise in Hall 23. In 2010 there has been serious network issues due to some DDoS attacks. How do you players deal with such problems and how do you manage to keep cool and concentrated?
BERRY: The loudness is not that bad since its the same for all. If I get hit by a DDoS attack or something it is always hard not to be frustrated, since you only get a few shots at tournaments like this.
readmore.de: When and how will you travel to Hannover? Where will you stay during the week and, who has to share rooms? Will you also be exploring Hannover’s nightlife?
BERRY: We fly out on Tuesday. I dont know with who will be sharing a room with, since we get the rooms by ESL. It’s up to the results if we are going to explore (laughs)!
readmore.de: It seems, that you got lucky quite a bit being placed in the fairly easy Group A of the IEM. What are your thoughts on this group? Is it supposed to be easy or are people actually underestimating it? Are you relieved, that you will not face Lions, fnatic and NaVi, the teams you lost to in the European Finals in January?
BERRY: To many it looks like the easier group indeed, but with twelve off the best teams from around the world in attendance you cant take nothing for granted. You have to play teams from either group at some stage if you wish to win the championship.
readmore.de: Right in your first match of the tournament you will face the national competitor, mTw. As we say in Germany it’s „Derby Time“. Do you see yourself as an underdog in this match? mTw is a tough nut to crack – do you have any kind of secret plan to outplay them?
BERRY: mTw are currently ranked as the number one team in Denmark, so going into this match we are considered the underdogs, yes. As for the secret recipe practice, teamwork and talent.
readmore.de: As Nuggi said he’d like mTw to win the tournament. Wouldn’t it be better to see TCM on top of the podium? Who do you think will reach the semifinals and which team will make it in the end?BERRY: Of course TCM would like to be at the top of the podium. But with so many good teams in attendance it is hard to say who will reach the finals. We would like feature amongst the teams in the semi finals. Obviously with Fnatic, NaVi and Frag eXecutors it will be hard to call who will win.
readmore.de: In your opinion why are no german teams at all attending IEM Global Final 2011? Do you stay in touch with your fellow countryman Finn ‚karrigan‘ Andersen and did you discuss what went wrong with mouz?
BERRY: I have not talked with karrigan on what went wrong about IEM, but im know that he is disappointed. Both german teams are new teams it takes longer for some teams to be good fast.
readmore.de: Besides of IEM, what are your expectations for the team in 2011? Which upcoming tournaments will you attend?
BERRY: My expectations are really high for 2011. When we welcomed Nuggi 3 weeks ago I did not know that, but I can see we are improving every time we play and our chemistry is working really good. About upcoming tounaments I dont know whats next but we will attend all that are big.
readmore.de: Any last words?
BERRY: I would like to thank TCM-Gaming and the sponsors for the opportunity to be able to play at such events. Thanks – Mad Catz, Cyborg Gaming, CoolerMaster, CM Storm, Enuzi Clothing, Multiplay and Meroncourt.
readmore.de thanks for the interview and wishes the best luck for the tournament.


