“I told the guys I have a good track record in China – I’m giving them a bit of pressure to make sure we get that result”

“I told the guys I have a good track record in China – I’m giving them a bit of pressure to make sure we get that result”

At IEM Chengdu 2025, ropz candidly shared both the expectations he places on himself and his teammates, as well as the strategic mindset behind Team Vitality’s campaign in China. According to his post-game comments, he informed his squad: “I have a good track record in China; I’m giving them a bit of pressure to make sure we get that result.” 

Background on ropz’s China success

The Estonian rifler has consistently been strong in China and in Chinese-hosted events, and he referred to this history as a confidence engine for his current roster. As he noted:

“It’s true … I told the guys I have a good track record in China. It would have been nice to keep the perfect one, winning Shanghai at the Major with FaZe and being 4/4 with trophies, but now I’m 3/4. It could be 4/5 with this one…” 

This highlights his previous Chinese results, which include trophy wins at events like the CS Asia Championships with his former teams. 

Vitality’s route to the quarterfinals

Heading into Chengdu, Vitality navigated a tricky path. After a lower‐bracket group stage exit, they bounced back in the playoffs, defeating Astralis 2-1 to secure a semi-final spot. ropz reflected on this win:

“They were not happy about the group stage results three days ago, and we just want to make that right.” 

The series against Astralis served both as a test of the team’s resilience and a springboard for ropz to rely on his past – in China especially – to galvanise his teammates.

Pressure and leadership: ropz’s subtle play-style shift

Ropz’s comments reveal more than just confidence—there’s a layered leadership approach at work. He admitted to adding a measure of “friendly pressure” for his teammates:

“I’m giving them a bit of pressure to make sure we get that result.” 

This subtle internal dynamic signals ropz taking on a quasi-veteran role inside a lineup that already features stars, but still requires cohesion and mental sharpness in high-stakes moments. The pressure is less about intimidation and more about accountability.

Key themes & implications for Vitality’s campaign

• Leverage of historical success: By referencing his China track record, ropz is using psychological momentum to bolster team morale and focus.

• Team identity building: Vitality is in the process of forging a new era. With ropz, star rifler Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and up-and-comers like William “mezii” Merriman, the “scratch that bad group stage, make a deep run” narrative is central.

• Pressure as a tool: Rather than external pressure, ropz internalised it and redirected it to his team. A strong mindset is critical at LAN events, especially when travel, time zones (like wrapping up in China), and bracket swings come into play.

• Strategic preparation: Ropz commented about the team’s preparation and slow starts in previous tournaments, and how Vitality intend to tighten their warm‐up and group stage starts.

What to watch ahead

• Performance under pressure: Can Vitality convert their quarter-final win into a deep run? If ropz’s leadership and mindset hold, they may be poised for a semi-final or final push in Chengdu.

• Role clarity and consistency: While ropz takes a lead role in setting tone and mental focus, the rest of the roster must deliver. Results will indicate whether this leadership model works under high stakes.

• China as a stronghold: If Vitality succeed, ropz’s statement about aiming for “4/5” in China could materialise. That would reinforce China as a favourable environment for their line-up.

• Team evolution: With a roster still cementing its identity, the synergy between ropz, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii and others will be tested in consecutive high-pressure matches.

Final thoughts

Ropz’s remarks—“I have a good track record in China … I’m giving them a bit of pressure to make sure we get that result”—are more than just confidence; they underscore a veteran’s mindset leaning into team success through internal leadership. For Vitality, this moment in Chengdu is pivotal. A win here could serve as the launchpad for the next big tier-one title. A loss might highlight cracks in cohesion or mental endurance. Either way, ropz’s candid acknowledgment of his past, his ambition to keep the China run going, and his role as one of the stabilising forces in Vitality's roster narrative adds depth to his and the team's journey this event.