This is a historic moment for B8. After multiple failed attempts to qualify through RMR stages, the Ukrainian squad has finally secured a spot at their first-ever Major — BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. In an interview with HLTV, team AWPer Danyyl headtr1ck Valitov shared his thoughts on this achievement, praised npl’s leadership, commented on kensizor’s adaptation, and reflected on his personal development as a player.
With an average age of just 20, B8’s success is built on stability and team cohesion — four players have been together for over a year, forming a solid foundation for their rise to CS2’s biggest stage.
Key takeaways: from doubts to confidence
“I thought I was cursed — another 0-2. But we pulled ourselves together mentally, and this time it worked out.”
This quote highlights the mental barrier B8 managed to overcome after repeated failures in previous RMRs. headtr1ck candidly admits to feeling hopeless after yet another poor start, but the team regrouped and found the strength to turn things around. It’s a key moment that reflects the squad’s maturity, despite their young age.
“He became a better leader and a better player. He has strong game sense, and I really enjoy playing with him.”
This is how headtr1ck described his captain npl. It’s not just praise but also a sign of trust within the team — the main AWPer acknowledges the young IGL’s growth both strategically and individually. npl’s improvement is one of the cornerstones of B8’s current success.
“We decided not to set expectations. When we did before — we were knocked out quickly. Now we’re just playing our game.”
These words capture B8’s new mindset when approaching tournaments. Dropping expectations helped them relieve pressure and focus purely on their performance. This shift has already paid off in qualifiers — and could pay off even more on the Major stage.
Analysis: confidence without pressure is B8’s greatest strength
headtr1ck’s interview shows that B8 approach their first Major with not only game-based progress but also a crucial mental shift. The team is clearly maturing, especially in how they’ve learned that pressure and expectations often backfire.
Notably, headtr1ck’s kind words about npl show growing respect. Just recently, npl was fighting for a spot in NAVI — now he’s a full-fledged leader, earning recognition from a player with Tier-1 experience. This duo forms a promising core for B8’s future.
No pressure — only potential
For B8, this Major is not only an opportunity to prove themselves but also a reward for their patience, stability, and belief in the team. The players are open about their emotions, yet avoid creating unnecessary pressure — a wise choice.
B8 have already shown they can go toe-to-toe with strong opponents. Now, it’s a matter of whether they can keep a cool head on the stage they’ve dreamed of for so long.
Sourse: hltv.org
