Twistzz talks IEM Dallas: the difference an NA crowd makes, team chemistry, and expectations

“Team Liquid” and “North American Counter-Strike” are two inextricable concepts. Regardless of the lineup, or where the team is currently based, Team Liquid’s identity will always be thoroughly North American. So when the team competes on American soil, it might as well be doing it on home turf. 

After a slightly turbulent start, Team Liquid’s latest roster is looking for redemption in the heart of North America. At IEM Dallas, Liquid will aim to impress in front of their home crowd as they start off the tournament against the other American sweethearts, Complexity. 

In anticipation of the tournament, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken sat down with us to discuss what the American fans should expect to see from Team Liquid, if Canada will ever receive its much deserved Major, and how his playstyle has adapted to become more aggressive in this new roster. 

Heading into IEM Dallas, what are Team Liquid's odds of winning the tournament?

I think we'll take it step by step. The goal is always to make it to the playoffs first before eyeing the trophy, and making the playoffs first helps us gauge our form and our map pool. I think we have a decent group and opening games for us where playoffs are very realistic. So we'll just take it from there.

Your very first game is against Complexity. How are you feeling about that?

Feeling good, actually. We were very close to beating them at the RMR a couple of months ago, before the Major. Obviously Overpass [has been] a historically terrible map for this team since it was created, so now that Dust2 is in the mix it's something fresh and something new in the game to play. I'm looking forward to the matchups and looking forward to Dallas, seeing how the map pool is there. So yeah, I think we match up well against Complexity.

Are there any other teams you are specifically looking forward to playing?

Not really, I just enjoy playing the tournaments. Four months ago we weren't really qualifying for anything so it's nice to be in these types of events again. Our ranking is stabilizing where playing the qualifiers isn't as needed. So it's just important to make the top eight again, it doesn't really matter who we play to get there and who we play in the playoffs to be honest.

You spoke about it a little bit there — it's been five months; how do you think the development of the roster has been?

I think the development has been quite shaky. I would say there are chemistry issues or a way of understanding the game [issues]. We've had a magnitude of different problems we've had to go through and some of the future of the team is kind of up in the air, but of course we go to these events, we still practice, we work hard because there are fans watching and for ourselves we don't want to play disappointing CS. So we try hard no matter what. It's been very shaky though, needless to say.

You mentioned the future being up in the air. How does that affect the in-server chemistry when you are actually playing the game?

I don't really think it impacts much, to be honest. We've had a lack of team chemistry anyway, and when that is the case, it's something that you kind of have to let come naturally, and if it doesn't come naturally, then that's just the name of the game. Because CS is a very specific game in how players move and think, it's not easy to always get people on the same page or for people to understand the right timings in the round or to make the right initial move. But I don't think it's affected much.

What do you think the next achievement or step for the roster to make?

For us, still, it is to stabilize our ranking. I think we are top 10 on ESL Ranking — hopefully after IEM Dallas we are top eight or top seven or even top six. The points in general are what matter going into next year, so whatever it takes to get points it will be done because next year is going to be full of chaos with the new schedule.

Moving onto IEM Dallas, is there just something different playing in-front of an American crowd?

[Laughs] I mean for me personally I played on a European team for three years so I don't know how the fans really gauge me as an NA player. Of course every time I'm in Dallas I give the longest signing sessions I can because I know the fans don't get to see CS — they get to see it once per year. For some fans they travel there from across the States because it's in Texas, so I want to fill the void of what's been missing. 

For me personally, it's nice to play in front of the NA crowd; I'm curious to see who will be the fan favorites because I feel like FaZe were always the fan favorites in America. So it's funny that way. If we make the arena I'm curious to see if the crowd will be largely on our side or not.

Do you think for the first time in your career, going up against Complexity, the crowd might be against you?

[Laughs] Nah, I personally don't think so. It could be divided a bit, but I don't think so. Liquid as an org is still loved by North American fans, I believe, so I think it will be divided evenly, but if it's not, then it will be in Liquid's favor a bit.

Speaking of the American crowd, there has been a report that in 2025 we could go to Texas for a CS2 Major. Is playing a Major in America a big aspiration of yours?

Of course. The last Major that was in America, I didn't really have a solid chance to do much there, given the Liquid lineup itself. But it's been a long time since there's been a Major in NA, [so] it's very important to be there no matter what. I think the only disappointing thing is that it's in Texas, of all places, again.

I think it would be exciting not only for North American fans, but also the players, to get to go to a different location and play in a different stadium. Some of the players that play in the scene now have never been to an IEM Chicago or an IEM New York, and all they get to see is Texas every year. So I think for the fans and players, it would be great if it was somewhere else, but if not, [I’m] just happy that North America does get a Major.

What would you say is your dream place that you'd love to play CS in America?

The previous locations that ESL used were always great. Chicago and New York were solid events every year. If that's not the case, then you could hit Boston again for another Major, because that one obviously did better than anyone could have expected. I think there are many places that you could put a Major in and for sure it would be a sold out event. If you put it in Seattle — the time zone is a bit rough so the viewership online will suffer, but you're still going to get a sold out arena.

Then, of course, Canada exists [laughs]. [They] could put a Major in Toronto or Vancouver, but this country is neglected for any esports events for CS. There have been plenty of great NA events for CS:GO. I think [tournament organizers] just need to start expanding their horizons again when they look at this continent. 

Since the switch to CS2, would you say your playstyle has changed or been forced to change?

Not really. I think, if anything, switching teams is what changed my playstyle. Naturally I just felt like I was becoming slightly more aggressive over the years and I feel like in this team I get to be in a better place to use that attribute of mine. I don't really want to get labeled as a passive player anymore. I feel like I've always been like a "flex" player where I can do both, but I've been wanting to be on the more aggressive side. So I've been working on that.

I think CS2 in some ways has changed everyone’s playstyles a bit, things are just a bit more random; molotovs are not consistent, you kind of have to clear everything regardless, you have to be much more alert, and obviously the shooting dynamic and the movement will never be the same as CS:GO. But I think players are adapting well. I feel like I've adapted very well to the new game. I think the only lackluster thing that players have to complain about is the subtick system; it's just not good. But it is what it is, and for players, it's their job to adapt. Other than that, it's still CS, and collectively players love CS. 

This roster has had a lot of noise around it, especially from the outside, how do you personally deal with the noise and just focus on the game?

For me, I ignore it. I don't really look into the community that much, to be honest. Of course, I know there's fans and everything, I do sometimes read messages, but usually it's not something that I'm doing. I'm usually a lot more in the game, on the server, working on things. From the first year in FaZe is where I really learned to ignore the outside presence and just focus on the inner workings of the team and do whatever it takes to improve. So I don't think it's an issue.

You've had a long career now. Would you say there was ever a period where the noise did affect your game and you learnt to adapt to that?

Not really. It goes both ways, right? If you are doing good, then reading things is nice for your confidence. It's also about when you read things that are not so good, and you take it with a grain of salt. When you are looking at things, if you have a professional mentality about it and if you are a person that can take criticism already, then reading some bullshit online should not really be an issue. 

Final question, what can we expect to see from Team Liquid at IEM Dallas?

I don't want to say guaranteed playoffs, but playoffs are definitely on our minds. It seems like whatever state our team is in before going to an event, it usually doesn't matter, and we just give it our all while we are there to do our best. And I think that will be the same case in Dallas. Hoping for top eight and hopefully our first semi-finals as a team.