61 days after joining Falcons, Finn “karrigan” Andersen has guided the team to the grand final of the IEM Cologne Major after an intense semi-final match against Spirit, the team who had beaten them in the final of PGL Astana and also played spoiler to karrigan’s FaZe in the final of the Perfect World Shanghai Major.
“When I saw the scoreline, 12-12, I was like, ‘That was what it was supposed to be at the Shanghai Major,'” karrigan told HLTV after the match. “So it was nice to get revenge, both for [Shanghai] and Astana, it was the same overtime game on Dust2, and for FaZe Clan in the last Major final we had.”
The Dane also spoke about making the run to the finals despite his dismal individual form, stating he is “battling demons” but is happy to have made the run after considering retirement four months ago.
“I obviously understand FalleN’s decision as well,” he said. “It could also have been me four months ago, but I got told by my wife. I wake up and I play every single day, motivation is not an issue, but I need a new place. And here I am, playing my worst CS ever and somehow in a Major final.”
Watch the interview here, or listen on HLTV’s Spotify channel.
karrigan, congratulations! This guy just can’t stop making Major finals, eh?
(Smiles) I don’t know, I don’t know. I feel like we are playing MR15 at this playoffs so far. Super proud of the boys. 61 days I’ve been in the team, and what a bracket we’ve been through. But the job is not finished. We have a great opportunity tomorrow, against a great team, and both teams are hungry to win. But what a game today (laughs). Ah, it’s exciting! What can I say, I’m a really proud captain.
It came down to the wire, especially Dust2, a lot of those rounds were going back-and-forth. Rounds on B going back and forth, TeSeS and kyousuke getting entried which put you on the ropes a bit, so talk to me about the emotions and getting to over the line after a tough couple of days.
On T side Dust2, I had to talk to the guys after five or six rounds. We had zero focus. We think they’re going to save some guns, and they take away all of our money, so those are the things we cannot let happen against a great team. The economy was under pressure, we won a force-buy back, then we lost the next round miscalculating their money.
So I think it’s just a long game and a lot of stress that causes mistakes that we could not afford. But with a great CT side, we managed to come back into the game and… Ah! When I saw the scoreline, 12-12, I was like, ‘That was what it was supposed to be at the Shanghai Major.’ So it was nice to get revenge, both for [Shanghai] and Astana, it was the same overtime game on Dust2, and for FaZe Clan in the last Major final we had.
A lot of vindication for you, then.
Yes! Yes! I mean, the one in Shanghai is still annoying; we had one of the greatest comebacks if we would have finished it in FaZe, but in the end, it’s a different team, a different scenario. Also, Spirit has really… in RIo, they really played great against Falcons with kyxsan, and they did the same in Astana, so winning this game was really important for the mental for the team as well.
How about for you? To have made this run to the final already in your first couple of months with Falcons? I remember talking to you in Astana, and you said you were setting your sights on the Singapore Major.
I mean, with my level, I expected us to go to the Singapore Major final because my individual level has been really bad. I’m in the worst shape, form, ever seen in my career. I’m fighting demons, but I have a fantastic team that helps me fight those demons with me, and I’m happy to be here.
I was supposed to watch the Major from home. Just a few days before the roster lock, I got called into Falcons, and now I have a chance tomorrow. I’m going to give everything I have to make this possible.
The storylines have really come together in that sense; you’ve brought NiKo back to a Major final as well. A lot of history there, so what are you hoping to do differently tomorrow when you arrive on stage?
The Boston Major was nine years ago, and I’ve been in a lot of Major finals [since] that, and I’ve also lost many, right? So I’m also on a vindication journey for myself, to make sure to win that CS2 Major. To win both in CS:GO and CS2 means a lot to me, but that doesn’t matter.
Tomorrow it’s about who shows up; it’s a 50/50 game. It doesn’t matter who on paper would beat who. FURIA is a great team, and they see an opportunity as well. BO5 final, the second BO5 final of a CS2 Major, and I’m just going to enjoy it. I know I’m going to be 45 when this game is done (smiles); I’m 42 right now after that game, so ageing three more years tomorrow for sure.
FalleN is counting down the days until his retirement; you’re counting up the years as you play each game.
Yeah, I mean I obviously understand FalleN’s decision as well. It could also have been me four months ago, but I got told by my wife. I wake up and I play every single day, motivation is not an issue, but I need a new place. And here I am, playing my worst CS ever and somehow in a Major final. It feels great, but I also know the team trusts me, in a lot of departments, and my level will not be the best ever after this. But I’m not really going to go on vacation, I’m going to go home and grind for the new season. But tomorrow, let’s just try to win with the lowest rating ever, I’m ready for that.
