B1ad3: "We're trying to focus on the Intel Grand Slam"

NAVI coach Andrey "B1ad3" Gorodenskiy, at a press conference before the ESL Pro League Season 14 playoffs, stated that winning the Intel Grand Slam motivates his team a little more than the first place in the current championship. The Ukrainian specialist explained that Natus Vincere want to go down in the history of the prestigious award, which so far has been received only by Astralis and Liquid.

We're trying to focus on the Intel Grand Slam. It's a little more motivating than winning the [EPL] title because only two teams were among the past winners, Astralis and Liquid, so we want to write down our name in history.

At the same time, B1ad3 noted that the thought of a possible victory at Intel Grand Slam Season 3, which will bring NAVI a cash reward of $1 million, should not distract players in the run-up to the Pro League matches.

I think it can get in our heads really easily. The thought that we are really close to the Grand Slam, that with each step we are closer and closer to writing our names down in history. I think for us it's very important to have a proper mindset and just not to think about it all and just play, think only about the game to show the best. It can only distract us, so we'll try not to think about this.

Earlier, ESL Vice President Michal Blicharz spoke about the potential triumph of NAVI at Intel Grand Slam Season 3, which requires one more win in the big tournament. In his opinion, the battle of the CIS squad for the reward is the main history at ESL Pro League Season 14.

Today, September 10, at 17:00 MSK NAVI will face off against ENCE in the EPL S14 quarterfinal. In case of victory, Gorodenskiy's team will meet the winner of the Heroic - Liquid matchup.