huNter-: G2’s mindset strongest yet after Cologne win

G2 in-game leader Nemanja ‘huNter-‘ Kovač spoke at the IEM Cologne Major pre-playoff media day after his team beat Natus Vincere in the decider on June 19 and secured a place in the playoffs at the LANXESS Arena.

HuNter- described the match as hard-fought and said G2 recovered from multiple disadvantages to close out the series. The contest opened on Dust2, where G2 started well but lost momentum after an anti-eco and a 1v4 clutch. The squad reset between maps and regained control on Inferno, he said.

He noted specific match statistics to illustrate the gap G2 had to overcome: the opponent led in opening kills, roughly 49-28, while G2 won six of seven clutch situations. ‘We were always present, we didn’t think too much about what happened, and we were always trying to focus on the next step,’ he commented on the team’s approach during the series.

HuNter- acknowledged errors that put the team under pressure and pointed to rounds they should not have lost. He accepted responsibility for some entry attempts and praised teammates for executing under pressure: ‘I was listening to what they wanna do and I was trying to help, but they were doing it themselves really well and I’m proud of them.’

With the victory, G2 will face Spirit in the playoff round at the LANXESS Arena on Friday. HuNter- said recent results against Spirit have not favored G2, predicted the large crowd would affect the match, and called G2 the underdogs while promising fans the team will give its best.

The win advances G2 further into the Major and sets up an elimination match against Spirit. HuNter- described the team’s mindset and mental strength as stronger than at any previous event, citing presence and focus on each round as key factors in the victory.