André 'Ag1l' Gil: “It’s kind of bittersweet to be here”

André 'Ag1l' Gil: “It’s kind of bittersweet to be here”

Portuguese rifler Ag1l reflected on his team SAW’s third-place finish at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, describing the result as “bittersweet” — happy with the achievement, yet disappointed at what might have been. The 22-year-old spoke to HLTV after SAW’s 2-1 win over GamerLegion in the bronze match, which ended their LAN campaign on a positive but imperfect note. 

The outcome: third place, big step, but so much left

SAW reached the bracket with high expectations. Having shown promise earlier in the season, they arrived in Bucharest aiming for a deep run — ideally the final. Instead, they fell short after losing to Legacy in the semi-final, and then beat GamerLegion to claim third place. Ag1l admitted that while on paper “third place” is good, given the trajectory of the tournament, there was a tinge of regret:

“Obviously… it’s kind of bittersweet to be right here. But before the start of the tournament, if people had asked me, ‘Third place — would you take it?’, I’d sign that any day of the week.” 

He emphasised that it was still a “strong tournament” from SAW. The sizeable prize pool and positive team atmosphere left them satisfied — yet the door remains open for bigger successes. “The emotions within the team are good… I’m just happy that we made it to third place.” 

Breaking the Nuke drought and praising teammates

One standout element of their run: SAW ended a long losing streak on map Nuke. Ag1l noted that they had entered the event having lost five straight Nuke bouts, yet in Bucharest they managed to pull one back in the bronze match. “Before the event we were 10-0 on Nuke… we just said, ‘No one wins six times in a row against us’.” 

He credited teammates for stepping up. In particular, he highlighted António 'aragornN' Barbosa as “probably the standout of the team” for the tournament. Likewise, he praised captain Christopher 'MUTiRiS' Fernandes for his clear leadership and strong personality, which he believes is a key component of the squad’s identity:

“The main point of our team is that we’re always trying to play updated CS… we are always on the new stuff and trends, and we’re always trying to be up to speed with the meta.” 

Ag1l also acknowledged his own progression, stating that for younger players like himself, exposure to high-tier events builds time and confidence:

“For us to get to this level is just a matter of time and confidence in what you do… When you show results on the server … I think it all comes naturally after.” 

Why this tournament matters for SAW

Claiming third at Bucharest is a major milestone for SAW. It validates their growth trajectory after prior events where they may have faltered under pressure. It also signals to the CS2 scene that they can compete at high tier, overcome map weaknesses, and finish strong in a best-of-series environment. The fact that they ended that Nuke skid further underlines their adaptability and improvement under pressure.

Yet the “bittersweet” feeling remains understandable: losing the semi-final denies them the opportunity for the final’s spotlight, the trophy and the maximum prestige. Ag1l’s honest remark reflects a team in between phases: accomplished, yet still hungry for more.

Looking ahead: consistency, meta-adaptation and upward momentum

SAW’s emphasis on “playing updated CS” and being “on new stuff and trends” suggests they are forward-looking rather than resting on their laurels. The presence of MUTiRiS as a commanding IGL and the breakout performances from aragornN and others deliver signs of a stable core with upside. Ag1l’s own development adds further ammunition to the team’s narrative.

However, to move from “third place” to “champion” status, SAW will need to translate strong individual maps into full series dominance, avoid shaky starts, and build consistency across events. Achieving this means not just winning the moments, but controlling the match flow — something they edged toward in Bucharest but did not fully sustain.

Broader implications in the CS2 ecosystem

On a wider scale, SAW’s result contributes to the evolving competitive balance in Counter-Strike 2. Teams from less-heralded regions are increasingly challenging the traditional powerhouses, which helps the ecosystem grow. SAW’s growth, and Ag1l’s candid reflection, underscore that the pathway to elite status is now more accessible — provided the team adapts to the meta, stays mentally resilient, and avoids slip-ups.

For players like Ag1l, being only 22 years old and already establishing himself on a high stage bodes well for his future. The fact that he managed to step up in Bucharest and speak with maturity about both the ups and the downs suggests a promising career and leadership potential.

Conclusion

Ag1l’s quote — “It’s kind of bittersweet to be here” — encapsulates the balance SAW finds themselves in: proud of a strong showing, satisfied with third place, yet aware of what could have been. The team has made a clear leap forward, ending map weakness and showing up under pressure. But the hunger remains. For SAW and Ag1l, Bucharest is not the finish line — it’s a platform.

With a core that is learning fast, an IGL anchored in clear identity, and a growing sense of belief, the next big step will be to convert strong performances into trophy wins. If they take that step, the “bittersweet” feeling may soon be replaced with pure satisfaction.