HLTV Confirmed - Counter-Strike Podcast

Latest Episodes:

HLTV Confirmed S5E11 | gla1ve discusses Magisk as IGL, Xyp9x's return, and PR training criticism Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

gla1ve joined HLTV Confirmed to talk about his return from a three-month break, the roster situation with bubzkji and Xyp9x on the bench, es3tag's surprising integration, and their ESL Pro League win. The in-game leader in his team's four Major victories talked about Magisk growing into the leader role and the accusations about Astralis players not controlling their own social media.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with gla1ve

2:38 - Introducing gla1ve - “the best IGL in CS:GO history”

3:49 - Returning from the burnout break

10:11 - Magisk and gla1ve IGL situation

18:53 - EPL win, Astralis vs. Heroic

23:07 - cadiaN and media drama

25:35 - Working with the extended roster

32:04 - Bringing back Xyp9x

37:19 - Dealing with criticism

Recent news

40:11 - H4RR3 to Dignitas

44:37 - Complexity to sign jks - report

53:39 - SKADE disqualified from MDL for coach bug

57:53 - Flashpoint 2 to feature “3 top-20 invites”

1:03:37 - FaZe/OG surprise runs in IEM New York

1:16:33 - Nivera to join Vitality

1:18:14 - 100T to leave CS (again)

DH Open Fall

1:28:40 - How important is an RMR event now?

1:32:43 - Overviewing DH Open groups

Prospects of 2020/2021

1:44:11 - NA teams’ prospects in intercontinental matches

1:51:20 - CSPPA safety protocols and LAN

2:01:02 - ESL & DreamHack schedule for 2021

Playtime

2:13:27 - Viewer questions

2:19:20 - Astralis PR training and device tweet

2:24:40 - Podcast outro

HLTV Confirmed is a CS:GO talk show featuring Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, and Milan "Striker" Švejda, with guest appearances from community members such as TaZ, GeT_RiGhT, device, Maniac, Pimp, HenryG, YNk, JW, smooya, seang@res, and more. The show is based around interviews, breakdowns, analysis, and discussions about the esports and casual side of Counter-Strike.

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#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E10 | karrigan talks pressure in FaZe, bymas & rain similarity, NAVI T-side problem Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

karrigan talks about FaZe, the departure of woxic, assigning correct roles, and the difficulties of 2020 on HLTV Confirmed, the weekly CS:GO podcast. The Danish in-game leader, currently playing for mousesports, compared bymas' time in FaZe with how he is currently being used, and explained the similarities between bymas and rain. karrigan also spoke about the impact of the Krieg nerf, testing the AWP role, chrisJ's potential with the sniper, and more. Later in the show, the discussion moves towards the coaching bug abuse and Rejin, as well as Natus Vincere's grand final loss.

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0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with karrigan

1:45 - karrigan's mysterious post on Twitter

3:31 - Losing the 2019 momentum

7:50 - Was it worth it attending so many events? Moving to online

11:10 - Effect of Krieg nerf on mouz

13:24 - karrigan explains woxic’s departure

17:34 - Why not give the main AWP role to chrisj?

24:47 - Is it important to have a star AWPer?

28:21 - mouz's flux as a benefit?

30:19 - Bymas in mouz vs. Bymas in FaZe

Recent news

35:26 - What’s up with the CAGED LAMP???

36:03 - NA teams in talks over trip to Europe

42:50 - floppy to join EU C9

51:05 - Chet retires, s0m, daps to leave - implications

1:00:24 - HUNDEN, Twista, starix stay on despite bans

1:13:00 - "We shouldn't question the players" - karrigan

1:22:48 - CSPPA ranking update

EPL EU

1:24:31 - mouz’s run to 4th place at EPL

1:32:36 - Astralis - Heroic rivalry building

1:40:35 - Potential of Astralis’ 7-man roster

1:45:07 - Thriller Astralis - NAVI grand final

1:49:55 - NAVI’s T-side

1:52:07 - Talking NAVI roster problems

Playtime:

2:00:17 - "Bad interviews" and media trainings

2:05:27 - Effect of interviews on players pre-match

2:09:37 - Specifics of the veto process

2:12:41 - How would karrigan shuffle the roles in FaZe?

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#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E9 | Coach bans explained by ESIC, stream-snipe scandal coming? (ft. Ian Smith) Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

CS:GO coaching scandal and the 37 bans issued by ESIC (The Esports Integrity Commission) were the topic of HLTV Confirmed S5E9, with guest Ian Smith, the commissioner of the organization, joining the show. Mr. Smith explained why no players were banned for the coach bug abuse (yet), and talked about determining the duration of coach bans for one-round uses (ruggah) and repeat offenders (zoneR), as well as where people like RobbaN, Apoka, and guerri fit in.

ESIC's commissioner also talked about the investigation in stream-sniping, MDL matchfixing, and banned players' possibility to move to other games. In the final part of the show, the panel discusses NAVI's chances to win ESL Pro League, oBo's dramatic departure from Complexity, and FURIA's boost.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

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0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with Ian Smith

1:29 - Introducing Ian Smith

5:01 - What’s the idea of ESIC?

8:18 - Sports vs. esports in terms of integrity

12:43 - Coaching bug: what is it and how do we approach it?

21:49 - What phase is the investigation currently at?

24:10 - Deciding length of bans

28:13 - zoneR’s 424 rounds offense and no life-time ban?

30:32 - 1 round bug use and 4-months ban?

34:24 - Communication with Valve

37:02 - Could there be successful appeals?

40:41 - What was the path to avoid the ban after getting bugged?

47:33 - Were there attempts to find out if players knew?

54:01 - Stream-sniping in COVID era; ESIC’s resources issue

58:13 - The issue of match-fixing in CS

1:02:11 - Can banned players move to VALORANT?

1:05:42 - Should teenage players be banned permanently?

1:08:03 - Valve's stance on betting

1:12:23 - CIS and China big betting issue

1:14:12 - Final words from Ian Smith

Recent news

1:19:20 - mouz, ENCE, Heroic - coaching situation

1:29:19 - oBo steps down, NaToSaphiX steps in coL

1:37:55 - vENdetta joins as Dignitas head coach

1:42:49 - peca added as FPX GM

ESL Pro League S12

1:49:21 - FURIA champions of EPL NA, 100T redeemed?

1:54:40 - European EPL playoffs favorites

2:03:01 - LOOTBET’s wonderful picture

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#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E8 | THREAT on NiP rebuild after f0rest, issues players face in 2020, Swedish IGLs Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

NiP coach THREAT joined HLTV Confirmed to talk about his work on rebuilding the Swedish team, the blessing in disguise that was f0rest's departure, and working with young players through a packed CS:GO schedule on avoiding burnout. The tactician explained why there are no new Swedish IGLs and criticized the "old generation", of which he was a part of.

During the podcast, the panel talks about roster moves, reported and confirmed, including NiKo to G2, woxic and mezii to Cloud9, and Dignitas benching GeT_RiGhT and Xizt. After touching on BLAST's prize pool changes, the show took a turn towards the current landcaspe, oversaturation, and tournament organizers, with SPUNJ showing his concept for an ideal 2021 schedule.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with THREAT

1:48 - Introducing THREAT

3:01 - THREAT’s coaching background and return

8:42 - Building the “New NiP”; Lekro-hampus move

17:18 - f0rest leaves NiP

19:40 - NiP’s performance: success and struggles

24:55 - hampus calling style

28:20 - How has the game changed since 2015?

Recent news

34:36 - Is NiKo to G2 really happening?

42:44 - Kjaerbye roster move

46:27 - Cloud9 unveil woxic, mezii

58:51 - Dignitas bench GeT_RiGhT, Xizt

1:04:53 - MAD Lions to swap two (report)

1:10:57 - BLAST restructures prize pools

Scheduling issues with online CS

1:17:07 - SPUNJ’s rant on "complaining players"

1:25:57 - What's the normal amount of CS for players?

1:31:40 - How can players avoid burnout?

1:41:11 - Are extended rosters the solution?

1:50:51 - Conceptualizing a better schedule

Playtime

2:15:30 - THREAT’s CS hours, coaching tools, and coaching bug thoughts

2:20:00 - Players’ contract / buyouts transparency

2:22:10 - When should a player get a new team? Handling stress

2:25:31 - Final words from SPUNJ and closing the show

https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

https://twitter.com/LukasWiinholt

https://twitter.com/THREAT_CS

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#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E7 | HenryG aims for top5 with Cloud9, talks salaries and a different 6-man roster Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Cloud9's CS:GO General Manager HenryG joined the HLTV Confirmed podcast to talk about the signing of ALEX, building his "Colossus", and hinted at new players to be revealed. The former commentator said that not reaching a top10 world ranking in the next year would be "embarrassing", and talked about transparency in player contracts in salaries.

Among topics discussed on the show are MIBR falling apart during the European bootcamp, GuardiaN's plan to return, and updates about the Major in Rio and the Regional Major Ranking tournaments.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with HenryG

2:51 - Henry stepping down from commentary

6:23 - What triggered the decision?

10:05 - Was there anything else on the table besides Cloud9’s GM?

15:40 - The GM role in CS:GO and plans with Cloud9

18:39 - CS:GO transfer deals transparency issue

24:53 - Aspects of ALEX signing, HenryG's goals as GM

35:18 - HenryG announces 6-man roster and the bars for the roster

40:40 - Candidates for becoming Cloud9’s 6th

Recent news

45:11 - MIBR… disbanded?

59:48 - daps to step down from Gen.G

1:09:23 - GuardiaN: “Ready to return”

1:19:50 - ENCE suspend Twista for coaching bug

1:27:10 - Valve address coaching bug - kinda

Major update

1:31:43 - Rio Major is canceled

1:35:10 - What will happen to RMR points?

1:44:11 - Return to LAN in December?

Playtime

1:51:47 - How did HenryG envision his retirement?

1:54:15 - The best things/moments of his time being a caster?

1:56:49 - Looking back at "The Caches" showmatch

2:01:02 - What previous experience will HenryG use as GM?

2:04:43 - Will all players be getting the same salary?

2:07:11 - HenryG on players media involvement

2:10:33 - Particular goals for Cloud9 performance

2:12:00 - Info on next Cloud9 announcements

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#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E6 (feat. TaZ, Michal Slowinski) | Talking about Polish scene, VP, HONORIS, coaching bug scandal, life as an admin Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

HLTV Confirmed S5E5 | Coach-bug cheating, Heroic shock in Cologne, becoming a carry-IGL with dexter Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Renegades' IGL dexter joined the HLTV Confirmed podcast to talk about becoming a high-fragging IGL, the origins of his career, the state of Oceanic CS:GO, and their plans for the future amidst the pandemic. The panel also discussed MIBR's struggles in Europe, Cologne results (Vitality, Heroic, 100 Thieves), and touched on the coaching bug, which ended up leading to the bans of HUNDEN, MechanoGun, and dead after the show was aired.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Show intro

2:05 - SPUNJ apologizing to dexter

3:30 - Origins of dexter's career

7:40 - How did dexter become a "full-package" player

9:50 - Renegades' secret of success

15:03 - Does experience matter in CS?

19:12 - Pandemic derailing all plans

24:47 - State of the Oceanian scene, ping issues

29:25 - Potential of the Renegades squad

Recent news

33:35 - MIBR struggling in EU subtop

41:00 - fnx, LUCAS1 got COVID; future of LAN events

51:25 - mouz replace woxic with Bymas

57:20 - How serious was the coach bug?

Good, Bad, and Ugly

1:08:45 - Good: Heroic shock victory

1:15:50 - Bad: Vitality can't take gold

1:25:15 - Ugly: 100 Thieves in struggle city

ESL Pro League

1:35:13 - Where does Liquid fit in?

1:42:30 - Round robin returns - and why it is bad

1:46:54 - Which EU teams have the most on the line?

Playtime

1:53:50 - Playtime: most feared player, biggest achievements, and offers from EU/NA teams

1:57:25 - Final words

HLTV Confirmed is a CS:GO talk show featuring Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, and Milan "Striker" Švejda, with guest appearances from community members such as GeT_RiGhT, device, Maniac, Pimp, YNk, JW, smooya, seang@res, and more. The show is based around interviews, breakdowns, analysis, and discussions about the esports and casual side of Counter-Strike.

https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

https://twitter.com/LukasWiinholt

https://twitter.com/dextersjourney

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#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E4 | Why is woxic benched, is FaZe going the wrong way? kRYSTAL talks betrayal Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Kevin "kRYSTAL" Amend joins the podcast to talk about GODSENT being overlooked for MIBR, the lowest points in his career and goals for 2020. On the show, topics such as FaZe's first impressions with Kjaerbye and Astralis' new roster debut are also discussed, as well as speculations regarding mouz's reported benching of star AWP woxic.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with kRYSTAL

2:55 - Introducing kRYSTAL

4:30 - Early career, becoming an IGL

7:24 - Influence of public opinion (forums, reddit)

11:00 - The story of ‘betrayal’ and the traitors meme

17:17 - Struggle years (Sprout, Imperial), why did NoChance work?

25:10 - Potential of the current GODSENT roster

28:37 - kRYSTAL on his teammates

Recent news

38:39 - North sign Lekr0

48:45 - mouz bench woxic

58:40 - Envy aim to add Thomas

1:02:35 - ALEX considering FPX and Valorant

1:04:35 - c0ntact add smooya, Spinx

ESL One Cologne

1:08:10 - GODSENT overlooked for MIBR

1:16:00 - BIG tanks, Sprout shows promise

1:26:45 - Astralis era coming again?

1:32:21 - Problems of FaZe (HUNDEN?)

1:36:50 - Trying to fix the team

1:45:10 - MAD Lions doing better than expected

1:52:08 - Quick review of ESL One Cologne recent results

Top 3: gameplay changes to improve CS:GO

1:55:10 - Flash throwing noises; Molotov and HE consistency

1:59:40 - Behavior of smoke grenade

2:03:30 - Buff burst mode of FAMAS and Glock

2:07:15 - C4 drop mechanics need changing

2:10:12 - Should all grenades drop? Gun prices and rewards tweak?

2:15:30 - Ranking the gameplay changes

Playtime

2:20:15 - Goals for 2020

2:21:10 - Plans for life after retirement

HLTV Confirmed is a CS:GO talk show featuring Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, and Milan "Striker" Švejda, with guest appearances from community members such as GeT_RiGhT, device, Maniac, Pimp, YNk, JW, smooya, seang@res, and more. The show is based around interviews, breakdowns, analysis, and discussions about the esports and casual side of Counter-Strike.

https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

https://twitter.com/LukasWiinholt

https://twitter.com/StrikerHLTVorg

https://twitter.com/SPUNJ

https://twitter.com/krystalcsgoo

#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTV Confirmed S5E3 | zews talks rankings, roster changes, his coaching career & problems of MIBR Aug 15, 2020

Show notes

Evil Geniuses coach Wilton "zews" Prado joined the HLTV Confirmed podcast to talk about his coaching career, practicing tools, and his approach to his job in general. The participants discussed interseason roster changes, the role of rankings on the scene, and the ongoing online tournaments, including the EG's potential at the upcoming ESL One Cologne.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed
📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg
🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with zews
2:30 - Coaching limbo
6:12 - Transitioning from MIBR to EG
10:35 - Why do MIBR still struggle?
15:40 - Coaching Liquid
18:57 - How has work with EG kicked off?
21:45 - Life during COVID, coaching from distance
28:30 - EG’s path in 2020
30:40 - Coaching: where it was and where it is now
38:20 - IGL vs. coach: balance & relationship
Recent news
42:29 - Astralis watch: ESL One Cologne lineup
52:30 - buster back in Virtus.pro
57:20 - Kjaerbye joins FaZe
1:04:35 - mouz create six-man roster with Bymas
1:08:10 - Liquid: adreN out, moses in
1:19:30 - xseveN moves to HAVU, ENCE back to five
1:23:25 - CSPPA’s ranking: what is the ranking controversy about?
1:31:25 - zews’ take on rankings; conflict of interest in making rankings
DreamHack Summer
1:40:25 - Previewing European league
1:50:30 - Previewing North American league
ESL One Cologne
1:53:00 - Previewing European league
1:55:45 - Taking a look at Group A
1:59:37 - Taking a look at Group B
2:06:31 - Previewing North American league
2:09:00 - Group B: EG vs. Liquid clash
2:14:13 - Group A: 100 Thieves vs. Gen.G clash

Playtime
2:20:30 - MIBR’s approach towards coaches
2:23:20 - zews’ and SPUNJ’s takes on burnout issue

HLTV Confirmed is a CS:GO talk show featuring Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, and Milan "Striker" Švejda, with guest appearances from community members such as GeT_RiGhT, device, Maniac, Pimp, YNk, JW, smooya, seang@res, and more. The show is based around interviews, breakdowns, analysis, and discussions about the esports and casual side of Counter-Strike.

https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

https://twitter.com/LukasWiinholt

https://twitter.com/StrikerHLTVorg

https://twitter.com/Professeur_CS

https://twitter.com/SPUNJ

https://twitter.com/zews

#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo

HLTVconfirmed S5E2 | blameF explains how antistratting REALLY works, talks extreme work ethic & coL Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

Complexity IGL Benjamin "⁠blameF⁠" Bremer joined the HLTV Confirmed podcast to talk about his career, leading a team, and the most efficient ways to practice. To figure out the latter, we tried out different tools, including ESEA Refrag, Skybox, and Shadow.gg. The Dane also talked about his approach to work ethic and working out, developing as a player, and gave tips for people trying to breakthrough.

➡️ Connect with us: https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

📺 Join the discussion and watch live: https://twitch.tv/HLTVorg

🎧 Listen to audio podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google): https://anchor.fm/hltv

0:00 - Podcast intro

Hotseat with blameF

2:00 - Why is blameF so happy?

3:08 - The start of blameF’s career

8:35 - Why did blameF go under the radar in Denmark?

11:40 - blameF becoming an IGL

16:10 - Balancing IGL-role and fragging

21:45 - Unknown details of building Complexity’s roster

26:10 - Role of keita, team’s coach

30:00 - 2020 and BLAST Success

33:25 - How does confidence influence performance

Recent news

38:13 - bubzkji in Astralis

42:47 - innocent to MAD Lions

46:40 - “MAD Lions looked like they could've challenged Astralis”

48:35 - Last-minute changes in DreamHack Summer NA

51:07 - nitr0 officially out of Liquid

57:10 - AdreN out of Virtus.pro, buster back?

Talking practice

1:02:00 - How is team practice approached today

1:09:50 - Tips and tricks used in practice by top teams

1:13:05 - Trying Shadow.GG, talking about tendencies

1:21:00 - Skybox and its applications

1:25:15 - How to review practice? Using coaches and analysts

1:27:57 - Trying ESEA's Refrag - Restrat feature

1:30:58 - blameF on using Refrag to antistrat Vitality

1:38:11 - "This is very time-consuming" - blameF

1:42:45 - Tips for new teams and players

Prediction time

1:44:40 - Will we see LANs this year?

1:47:10 - Who will be top-1 of Europe?

1:50:15 - Will there be a roster change in FaZe?

1:53:20 - Will NAVI win the next RMR?

Playtime

1:55:00 - How much can blameF LIFT? Workout history

1:59:00 - Role of mindset in success

2:04:20 - “I can’t get burned out, I was watching demos for the whole break” - blameF

2:06:50 - blameF on how to progress as a team

HLTV Confirmed is a CS:GO talk show featuring Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, and Milan "Striker" Švejda, with guest appearances from community members such as GeT_RiGhT, device, Maniac, Pimp, YNk, JW, smooya, seang@res, and more. The show is based around interviews, breakdowns, analysis, and discussions about the esports and casual side of Counter-Strike.

https://twitter.com/HLTVconfirmed

https://twitter.com/LukasWiinholt

https://twitter.com/StrikerHLTVorg

https://twitter.com/Professeur_CS

https://twitter.com/SPUNJ

https://twitter.com/blameFFFFF

#HLTVConfirmed #podcast #csgo