“It certainly was a chess match,” FNATIC mini on going up against NAVI coach d00mbr0s at VCT LOCK//IN cover image

“It certainly was a chess match,” FNATIC mini on going up against NAVI coach d00mbr0s at VCT LOCK//IN

After taking down NAVI at VCT LOCK//IN, FNATIC coach mini discussed the coach vs. coach match up in a post-match press conference.

It seems like nothing is going to stop FNATIC at VCT LOCK//IN. LOUD could have something to say about that, but until the Grand Final starts, FNATIC remains unbeaten on every single map. Part of that can be credited to FNATIC coach Jacob "mini" Harris.

He and his team of VALORANT players swept a best-of-five semifinal contest against Natus Vincere. Their EMEA rivals were a heavy favorite throughout the tournament, but the determination and never-give-up attitude of the FNC squad sent them out in a 3rd-4th place finish.

FNATIC coach mini credits team-wide preparation after defeating NAVI at VCT LOCK//IN

(Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)
(Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

Following the one-sided trouncing, FNATIC took part in the traditional post-match press conference. Esports.gg directed a question to FNATIC's coach, asking mini about his expectations going into the series, especially with a head-to-head matchup versus another brilliant EMEA mind.

He was quick to dismiss it being a battle of great coaches and instead focused on the entire supporting cast:

"I never really view it as coach versus coach. It's more like all the preparation we've done versus their preparation, as a collective group. Their collective group being LATEKS, the assistance coach, d00mbr0s, and ANGE1 the IGL. And ours being me, slk, Anderzz, and Boaster.

"I don't really say it on the day as like me versus d00mbr0s. That's not really how it works, to be honest. Even timeouts sometimes. My timeouts can be awful and Jake (Boaster) comes up with a good idea, or vice versa.

"It certainly was a chess match. They did do subtle changes to the way they play in anticipation of us and we did subtle things in anticipation of them. So, there were some mind games going on for sure."

It is clear that the team-building and overall preparation heading into 2023 is working for FNATIC. Coach mini seems very confident in himself, his assistant coach, his analyst, and his players in the server. They've guaranteed themselves a shot at their first international VALORANT trophy and, by the looks of it, will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

Stay tuned to Esports.gg for more esports news and head to our VCT LOCK//IN event to catch up before the Grand Final!