Wildcard Stanislaw speaks on qualifying for Major after 3 years

"I have given everything that I have over the last year to get to where I am."

In a region full of heavy hitters, an underdog rose to prominence with a statement qualification to the Perfect World Shanghai Major. Despite the odds stacked against them, Wildcard under Peter "stanislaw" Jarguz’s leadership toppled the giants of the Americas marking his return to the big stage after three years, and giving his teammates their first Major appearance.

In light of their success at the RMR, we reached out to stanislaw to celebrate the qualification and share his experience on the road to the Shanghai Major.

The return to spotlight

Peter’s last moment in the spotlight was with Evil Geniuses at PGL Stockholm 2021, where their journey ended prematurely in the Legends stage. Despite falling from grace after the EG fiasco, the leader didn’t give up and hopped around with a few unsigned teams before landing in Wildcard.

“rizegeeko”, Strafe: How does it feel returning to Counter-Strike's biggest stage after three years since your last appearance? 

stanislaw: It feels incredible. I've given everything that I have over the last year to get to where I am and I'm happy that my hard work has paid off. 

Strafe: This qualification must be significant for you on a personal level. How does this achievement compare to other milestones in your career? 

stanislaw: Although I've now qualified for my seventh Major, it feels just as fulfilling as every other time. Although it is not a trophy in and of itself, it demonstrates that our team is heading in the right direction. For everyone else on my team, this will be their first Major and I'm happy that they all get to share this experience together after all of the hard work they've put in.

Wildcard's successful run at the North American RMR

Coming into the PW Shanghai Americas RMR, many wrote off Wildcard from ever reaching the Major. Yet, the roster believed in their capabilities and managed to upset 9z, paiN Gaming and Team Liquid; Some of the favorites from the region to earn a deserved spot in the Opening Stage.

Strafe: Expectations were low for Wildcard to make it yet you exceeded all expectations. What powered the team to beat NA's best teams in the RMR including Team Liquid? What did you do differently? 

stanislaw: What powered us through this RMR was our preparation and hard work during our bootcamp in Poland. We have a strict practice regime and great working environment, so although we exceeded everyone else's expectations, we always had that belief in ourselves.

Strafe: If you could pinpoint one thing that set Wildcard apart during the qualifiers, what would it be? 

stanislaw: We left that bootcamp in really great shape and were confident going into the RMR. Being down 11-5 against 9z was nothing new for us; we are notorious for starting our games off slowly, but we know that we are always capable of coming back. No matter the score, this team always believes until the very end.

What's wrong with North American Counter-Strike?

Since Covid-19, the North American Counter-Strike has had a steady decline with organizations leaving the scene and Tournament Organizers shifting their focus towards other regions. This in addition to the lack of support for young talents with the rise of another FPS shooter made it impossible for the region to move forward compared to their counterparts from Europe who have the right tools to thrive.

However, according to previous statements from stanislaw, the North American talents also played a crucial role in digging their own grave with the lack of professionalism, trust and ego plaguing the scene.

Strafe: You previously stated that this new generation of players is filled with individuals that don’t understand what it takes to be a part of a winning team. Is that the main reason why NA can't yet restore their glory or are there other issues? 

stanislaw: Attitude is the biggest thing that is holding most of these players back. To me, there seems to be a lack of respect, hunger, and understanding of what it actually takes to be a part of a winning team. I'm not a fan of North American culture; the entitlement, the selfishness, the laziness.  

Strafe: How close are NA teams to winning a Major? Could there be a surprise NA win at the Major in Shanghai?  

stanislaw: We're definitely closer to winning a Major than we have been in recent years. I'd say next year is our chance, not this time around. 

Strafe: What are your thoughts on removing the RMR system going into 2025 as reported earlier this year and opting for other systems like ranking points?

stanislaw: I am hoping for more clarity as soon as possible because there is a lot of concern about the future of North American Counter-Strike. We've shown that our region is more than capable so I hope that we can find a system that works for everyone, and is fair.

The fast approaching Shanghai Major

Wildcard will kick off their Shanghai Major campaign from the opening stage. Seeded 14th in the updated Valve ranking, stanislaw and co will face Fnatic in their opening match on the 30 of November starting 6:00AM CET.

Strafe: Now that Wildcard has qualified, how is the team approaching preparation for the Shanghai Major? 

stanislaw: We've taken a small break, but now we have the opportunity to practice against some of the other teams that stayed in Shanghai. We're essentially having a second bootcamp. 

Strafe: What are your personal goals for the Shanghai Major, both for yourself and the team? and how confident are you in bringing results?  

stanislaw: My personal goal for the Shanghai Major is more discovery based. I'd like us to play to the best of our ability so that I can gauge how we stack up against some of the better teams. Our main goal was to qualify, and having done that, all I'd like to see now is my team showing its potential against the top teams. 

Strafe: If there’s one takeaway from Wildcard’s story that you hope inspires others, what would it be? 

stanislaw: Even if you have a gluten intolerance, and allergies to peanuts and shellfish, you can still achieve your dreams. 

Strafe: Finally, What would you like to say to Wildcard’s fans and supporters ahead of the Major? 

stanislaw: A huge thank you to all of our supporters. I hope that the fans realize how much of a positive impact that they can have and it means a lot to us when they show their support, even during turbulent times. 

 

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