FaZe Clan’s David “frozen” Čerňanský is one of Counter-Strike’s young veterans. At just 22 years of age, he already has a wealth of experience, having played at the top level for over six years. Since his move to FaZe Clan, things haven’t quite gone to plan for frozen. It has been 18 moves since the transfer from MOUZ, and in that time, he has only lifted a single trophy: IEM Chengdu 2024.
frozen talks Pick’Ems, playing with s1mple and the BLAST.tv Austin Major
With two heartbreaking Major Final losses with FaZe under his belt, frozen arrives at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 with a point to prove. I had the opportunity to sit down with frozen for a quick chat on the eve of FaZe’s debut in the BLAST Austin Major Stage 2 – here’s what he had to say:
Daniel Morris: I think it’s fair to say that FaZe haven’t enjoyed the best 2025 so far. What do you think hasn’t been working for the team?
David “frozen” Čerňanský: I mean, I think it’s fair to say. We haven’t had the best season at all. I think it’s a mixture of things… Yeah, I mean, just rough year. The goal for us is to finish it on a high note at the Major.
Daniel: On the flipside, are there any positives that you’ve been able to take from the year so far?
frozen: For sure – when the year is not going so good, I think there is obviously lots of takeaways. So yeah, maybe just changing some things that maybe didn’t work so well for us.
Daniel: Just without giving away too much, of course, what have you guys actually been working on since Dallas to make sure that you’ve got the best chance of actually going the distance in Austin?
frozen: Well, in Dallas we played with two stand-ins, so the situation there wasn’t the best. After Dallas we stayed in NA for a bootcamp. So you know, just perfecting our game with the “right” lineup, so to say. Just working on our things, make sure we don’t lose stupid rounds, basically doing everything we can to be ready, right?
Daniel: I mean, you mentioned losing “stupid rounds.” How do you sort of overcome that? Is that a mental block or is that something that, tactically, you think you can fix?
frozen: I think it’s kinda a mixture of both things. Towards the end of the last lineup, I think it was more of a mental thing because it was happening so much towards the end that I feel like we just had it in the back of our heads. Whereas now, we still lose some stupid rounds here and there but it feels more of a tactical aspect, you know, rather than the mental part.
Daniel: On a personal level, the numbers at least seem to suggest that you’ve still been able to find a good amount of impact throughout the year. How would you rate your own performance in 2025, and what areas are you looking to most improve with?
frozen: For me, the individual performance is really irrespective of how the team is performing. If we are not doing it as a team, it’s hard to do good as an individual, you know? I think the individual skill will always rise as we perform better as a team. That’s the plan for – just show up as a team. With the players we have, anyone can pop off at any time basically, so it’s never a one-man show.
Daniel: Well, speaking of one-men show, I’ve to ask about s1mple coming in. How has that been? It seems like it’d be a pretty unique situation considering how long he’s been out of the game at the top level.
frozen: Mhm. I think it has been pretty fine. I think Sasha, his transition has been pretty smooth. He’s been grinding a lot. Obviously he’s a very vocal player so he will always say things that he has on his mind. I think that’s something that has been also a little bit… I don’t want to say new, but, a little bit different. For sure, for the positive part. Overall, I’ve been enjoying, it’s cool to see Sasha back on the server. Especially playing with him, right?
Daniel: Previously you played with broky for almost a year and a half. What would you say the biggest difference is that you’ve noticed between him and s1mple?
frozen: I think it’s not really fair to compare both of them because they are so different. They are so different with the way that they are, and they can bring certain qualities that… like, one thing that broky has, maybe s1mple doesn’t have, and the other way around. I think they are both very unqiue and they both have very great value to a team.
Daniel: Coming to the Major itself, you arrive at this one as Finalists of Shanghai last time out. Obviously, a very different roster this time around. Would you say that the expectations for you guys are the same or do you look at it with more tempered expectations, obviously, given the form.
frozen: *laughs* Yeah, two Majors we’ve been in the Final so it’s kind of hard to back off from that standard, right? Obviously, we are looking at it realistically, the goal for us is the Playoffs at the moment. But it’s a Major, and anything can happen. It’s just a matter of peaking at the right time and it can be anything, honestly.
Daniel: It’s the combination… FaZe, the Major…
frozen: Exactly, exactly man.
Daniel: You come into the Austin Major in Stage 2. Looking at the teams in this Stage, I think most would still have you down among the favorites to get through. Do you think that comes with any added pressure to actually make it through?
frozen: I don’t think it’s a pressure. Any Major, there is some sort of pressure. In every Major, you are meeting these lower-ranked teams. Obviously, they’re the underdogs. It can be rough to face them. I think it’s a matter of showing up when it matters. Not falling asleep.
Daniel: Can I just get your thoughts on the best-of-ones? Because you come into it, essentially, they’re extinct in Tier 1, so to see them in the Major is a bit of a change to see them back. What do you think of that?
frozen: Yeah, BO1s in MR12 are a little bit fast, I feel like, especially at the Majors. For me, I would appreciate the BO3s, but what can you really do, right? It’s the system we’re going with, so we just gotta make the best out of it.
Daniel: Do you reckon FaZe are one of the teams that best-of-ones help or hinder the most and why? I feel like some teams benefit more than others.
frozen: Hard to say, really. We are known to have a bit of a slow start, but that’s also something we’ve been working on so I guess we will see when we get to play the BO1s.
Daniel: Just one more question for you, I’ve got to ask, how are your Pick’Ems looking?
frozen: Agh, pretty rough to be honest! I think they are done after today. It’s gonna be a Gold Coin! Another one for my collection.
Daniel: I’m waiting on Wildcard. I just need Wildcard! And then I’m good. Thanks a lot, and good luck for the Major!
