“This game definitely felt way more intense,” florescent comparing G2 match to last year

Shopify Rebellion are your first Grand Finalist in Berlin for the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2024. That is thanks to some incredible performances from star Duelist Ava "florescent" Eugene. She has been on a tear, and that is an understatement.

Following the epic 2:0 victory against G2 Gozen, that saw both maps hit overtime, we caught up with the mighty flor. We asked about a few moments from the series, the current, the possibility of being a role model to others, and more.

"Early on Abyss, we saw you dash in and sort of miss your landing when you tried to avoid falling into, well, the abyss. But still, the team picked up the round and it just shows your impact. How does it feel knowing that you can still make that difference, distracting the other team, setting up your partners, even when you have a slight misstep?"

florescent: "I just thought it was pretty funny. I'm not going to lie, I almost fell off like two more times, but I'm very lucky I didn't."

"Well, that brings me right to it. That wasn’t the only time you slowly floated to your demise on that first map. And thankfully, those moments didn’t make a difference in the result. We saw you smiling and laughing each time you fell, so what were the comms like when that happened?"

florescent: "I think we all just started laughing. I don't know, we're just lucky I didn't die. Just a tactical save."

"So, both maps went to overtime. That speaks volumes to the competitiveness of the Shopify Rebellion vs. G2 Gozen rivalry. This is your second year taking them down to reach the Grand Final. Is this win sweeter than last year?"

florescent: "Definitely. Last year I think they blew us out on Breeze and we blew them out on Ascent. Then, I think the third map was like 13:8 or 13:9. But even though this was a 2:0, this game definitely felt way more intense. It was fun."

"We've seen changes in the meta in terms Agents and the map pool this year compared to last year. Do you think those changes have played a part into the continued success of you and your team?"

florescent: "Yeah, I think that we have very adaptable players and I'm fine playing any Duelist. So, I think any sort of meta change is good, because our team adapts so quickly."

"Well, we’re definitely in a Neon meta right now, but Jett still has her place as a main Duelist. I’d like to know, which one of them do you prefer? Or at least have more fun playing as?"

florescent: "I hate Neon and I hate the Neon meta. I love Jett. I absolutely love Jett so much."

"We hear from a lot of GC players, about how they look up to mimi and Petra or look up to meL and alexis. I’d like to ask you, is there anyone in particular outside of the G2 or SR players that you view as a role model?"

florescent: "I don't know about role model, but I have a couple favorite pros. Chronicle and Smoggy."

"Good choices, good choices. Now, you have the chance to be like that for others. Does that ever really sink in, that you’re on a global stage with so many eyes on you, and that you may be making a difference for someone, somewhere?"

florescent: "Never. I don't really ever think about stuff like that."

"Okay, well, is that a position you'd like to see yourself in? Would you like to potentially, a handful of years down the line in your career, be viewed as that veteran leader that players look up to?"

florescent: "Sure, if it makes the game more competitive and more pros come out of it."

"So, back-to-back Grand Final appearances. I spoke with alexis after the Xipto game. She said you all aren’t thinking about it too much, but she definitely wants to repeat to show just how strong the SR squad is. What are your thoughts on possibly going back-to-back as Champions? And do you think there's a big focus for the team to do it again, just for the fact that meL wasn't able to be on stage to lift the trophy? Is that kind of a driving factor?"

florescent: "I don't want to jinx anything, but it would be kind of cool. And maybe. I don't know. I never really talked to [meL] about it or anyone on our team."

"Lastly then, personally, what does all of this mean to you? Just as a whole? Competing in GC, being a part of Shopify Rebellion, going against the world’s best, the chance to lift trophies. What effect has all of it had on you?"

florescent: "Probably none. I like Shopify though. Shopify's a good org. But no, I don't really think about it. I just wake up and scrim and then play matches."

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