The effort pays off, but so does constant practice both on the real and on the virtual field. This is evidenced by the current best Montenegrin e-football player Rade Pavićević who won first place at the recently held qualifiers for the IESF World Championship in eSports, which will be held in Saudi Arabia this year.
Pavićević had the opportunity to represent Montenegro at several world and European competitions, the most significant of which are those in Singapore and last year in Katovice. Pavićević tried all modes, even the 11v11 with the Budućnosti team, but since the transition of PES to e-Football, he has remained faithful to the optional mode - 1v1.
Preparations for Riyadh are underway, and in addition to the qualifying tournaments for this competition, Rade will also participate in smaller competitions in order to better prepare for what awaits him at the end of the year. Pavićević talks about all this for Vijesti...
You recently won a tournament that was a qualification for the World Cup in e-Sports, which will be held in Riyadh at the end of the year. What was the competition like considering that a similar team has been competing and participating in various tournaments for years and did you have tactics for each of them? How much easier is it to play against an opponent whose game you know and how much have you improved your game on the virtual court compared to previous tournaments?
Yes, I won the tournament in strong competition, considering that all our best players participated. As you said, we have been playing both together and against each other for years, so we know how everyone plays and there are hardly any surprises. It is ungrateful to talk about whether it is easier or harder because there are many advantages and disadvantages, since as well as I know my opponent, he knows me as well. I think I've improved quite a bit, because I won the previous two tournaments, so I can say that I'm happy with the results so far.
However, before you go to the WC, you will have to pass certain qualifications with foreign gamers. What kind of competition is there?
As for the additional qualifications, we will see what the format of the competition is, but there are certainly no easy opponents. I know a lot of them from previous competitions, I prepare for tournaments with a lot of them, so I already know in advance that it won't be easy for me.
Last year, you were a supporter and coach for Bojan Tatar in Iasi. How much will these experiences help you in your preparations?
Yes, I had that dear role of coach to Bojan in Iasi, I tried my hand at that too and I think it brought me some new experience. I'm sure that also contributed to the good results in the tournaments.
You dedicated yourself to playing 1v1 mode, while some of your colleagues tried their hand at 2v2, 3v3 mode... Do you miss those modes?
Most of our e-soccer players, apart from the 1v1 mode, also devoted themselves to other modes and they all did very well and we expect good results from them. As for me, I always preferred the 1v1 mode, but the lack of free time to practice the other modes, decided to focus on only one.
As part of the Montenegro Future festival, which will take place next month in Bar, there will also be an e-Football competition. Given that it is a regional tournament, are you participating, and how important will the preparation for Riyadh be?
The tournament in Bar, in which I will of course participate, will be of world class and gather a large number of players. According to my knowledge, in addition to the regional ones, the strongest European teams are also coming, so I expect a really spectacular tournament. It will also be an excellent preparation for Riyadh, because in such a tough competition, the player can only improve.
Regardless of how you pass further qualifications, you will definitely travel to Riyadh, but does that knowledge reduce the pressure on you as a player?
Of course it reduces the pressure, but for sure I won't take the tournament lightly because of that, on the contrary, I will prepare well and give my best, because I think I have to justify my place in Riyadh.
Bonus video:
