After a convincing win over Liquid, FaZe have secured their spot in the second stage of IEM Cologne 2025. The standout player of the series’ final map was Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski, who delivered his best performance of the year with a 2.45 rating on Nuke. Following the match, he gave an interview to HLTV, where he shared his thoughts on individual form, changes in the team after broky’s return, and expectations moving forward.
Key quotes from the interview
“I just started shooting hard, Finn was calling good strats, and I got into the zone easily.”
EliGE attributed his outstanding performance to hitting his stride at the right moment, with FaZe’s in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen calling effective strategies. This allowed the American to thrive on the deciding map.
“I think it’s just step by step and trying to actually diagnose the issue.”
He acknowledged that his inconsistency isn’t always due to personal mistakes. Often, in-game circumstances prevent him from making an impact, and he prefers gradual analysis over rushed conclusions.
“Now that we have our belief back, I think we can start showing way better games.”
The player emphasized that after a difficult stint with s1mple and broky’s return, the team has regained confidence — something he sees as key to stable results.
“When you’re taking fights in CS and you’re not 100% certain, you’ll probably lose it.”
EliGE noted Liquid’s lack of confidence, which he believes led to their downfall. FaZe, by contrast, played with cohesion and decisiveness.
FaZe Find New Energy
broky’s return to FaZe truly feels like a breath of fresh air for the roster. Compared to previous tournaments, the team now looks more confident, with players delivering high individual impact and, as EliGE noted, the team atmosphere clearly improved.
The brief period with s1mple seems to have given FaZe valuable insight — broky isn’t just a part of the system, he holds it together. His return brought much-needed stability, which is crucial for a lineup full of experienced but emotionally sensitive players.
Outlook and conclusions
FaZe now face much stronger opponents — Vitality, NAVI, and Spirit — who consistently perform at the top level. However, if FaZe can maintain their current momentum, continue EliGE’s upward form, and build on their renewed team chemistry, reaching the semifinals or even the final seems realistic.
This interview not only underscored EliGE’s personal growth but also confirmed that FaZe have rediscovered their identity — and this time, with clear intent to win.
Source: hltv.org
