kalle: "set to beat FireGamers"

The Electronic Sports World Cup 2010 is set to kick off in less than two days, and HLTV.org sat down with Lions member Karl William "kalle" Haraldsen and discussed the upcoming event. 

Haraldsen made headlines when he opted to leave Lions to recreate cbteam in February earlier this year, taking Tommy "tacky" Mosgaard and Preben "prb" Gammelsæter along on the ride. The duo is now back in Lions, ready to clinch swords against the elite at ESWC 2010.

This will also be Lions' first international event. Read through the exclusiveinterview by HLTV.org, and hear what Haraldsen has to say on his team's expectations and their grouped contenders.

Going into ESWC 2010, Lions have been placed in Group E along with fnatic and FireGamers. What is your impression of the group?

I think it's an interesting group with two very good squads. Taken into account that we haven't played versus FireGamers yet makes me look forward to it. 

In order to advance into the second group stage, you will have to secure a top two placing. Do you see Lions easing past either, or both, fnatic and FireGamers? 

Kinda hard to say, but of course we'll be aiming for the top spot. I do however believe it's going to be a tough match against fnatic, but we're set to beat FireGamers.

In one of our earlier pre-coverage interviews with trace from mTw, he commented on the tournament structure, that having two group stages are perfectly fine. Do you feel the same way, or would you prefer an earlier playoff schedule?

I agree with trace that having two group stages is great. We'll see even more matches, which also is preferable.

Your Swedish neighbors fnatic do not really need an introduction, but FireGamers on the other hand hail from Brazil, and I suspect that you have not been able to practice much against the team. What is your opinion towards them, and do you have any predictions on your encounter versus the team?

That's true, we haven't been able to practice against FireGamers, nor have we studied them too much. They do however have steady players who we all know, so the match won't be a walk in the park. I still think we'll be able to beat them though!

It's true that we haven't been able to practice against FireGamers, nor have we studied them to an extensive degree either. They do however have steady players who we all know of, so the match will not be a walk in the park. I still believe we'll be able to beat them though!

How has your team been preparing, and is there anything specific you have been putting emphasis on duringyour training?

We have been practicing as much as we have been able to, and we just finished a one week bootcamp which should give us a boost. Anything specific? No, not really, but we've been going through certain maps we feel more routine was needed.

ESWC 2010 will be Lions' first international event. What are your expectations for the prestigious tournament and event? 

I usually don't set myself any expectations, but I always hope for the best. In this case: the playoff stage.

Many see you as underdogs for the tournament, and even for your group. Will this affect your team in any way, or do you neglect others' point of view on this matter?

I don't see anything wrong in being the underdogs, I kinda like it. Cause then no one is expecting any big surprises, and we might just breach through. Who knows? ;)

In the middle of May, you and tacky once again joined up with Lions after your stint in cbteam. How has the team been working out since then?

Now that we have been playing together for a while, I think we're doing good. Also, we feel it's easier communicating at LAN events, so I hope everything will go our way.

The world's top teams will be gathered in Disneyland, what of experience do you hope to bring back with you after the event?

Hard to say, but personally I hope to bring back some knowledge on other peoples' play style and diverse.

Have you set any goals for the tournament?

Our main goal is to reach the playoff stage.

I read that you had challenged m1kkis to do a "bomb plunge" into your hotel's pool. Is this a part of your mental preparation, and how did it go?

That wasn't exactly mental preparation, but more like a simple challenge. But m1kkis did, as expected, not go through with it. He is just a big talker ;D.