Kaajak: “We didn’t have anything left” against Liquid – VCT EMEA Kickoff Interview

For the third year running, a slow start to the season saw Fnatic fail to qualify for the first global event of the season, despite Masters Santiago’s expanded pool of teams. Fnatic’s fate was cemented in a 3-0 defeat to Team Liquid to wrap VCT EMEA Kickoff, after which Hotspawn spoke to Kajetan “kaajak” Haremski for an interview.

Hotspawn: A tough defeat today, kaajak.

What are your immediate thoughts on the series?

Kaajak: “I mean, to be honest, today I think we just didn’t have anything left after yesterday. It was hard for us to get the energy up, I think. We started to a bit on the second map after Boaster’s speech, and everyone tried to motivate us more, I feel like it was just a huge energy drop.

“And yeah, there was a surprise with the Corrode comp. So, yeah, it was just hard today.”

Hotspawn: Given the fatigue, as well as that one-sided loss on Corrode, you guys still showed fight in the other maps and were close to winning at times.

Is that something you’re able to take positives from?

Kaajak: “I think everyone knew today was gonna be hard, because after yesterday we finished [at] like 11pm, it was hard to get a good sleep and everything for everyone. It was hard to get a good preparation also.

“So yeah, Corrode, we got absolutely demolished by Liquid, but on Bind, I think we were up 10-7 at some point. So I think we could have gotten this map. And Abyss, I think we could also get. We just couldn’t finish the game, which we already saw during this Kickoff — we have a problem with finishing games, so we need to work on that.”

Hotspawn: I feel like getting those leads is the more difficult part, and closing maps is a ‘better’ problem to have. I recently spoke to Boaster, and he also explained how he feels Fnatic struggle early in the season due to reduced off season prep time after attending so many events, and are then able to grow with time through the year.

Have you seen enough positives to build on for Stage 1?

Kaajak: “I personally think there is a lot of learnings. We have a lot of reps on the maps to watch and change stuff because I think we weren’t fully on the meta right now. You can see all of these top teams are qualifying with double duelist, and we are not playing double duelist on most of the maps, which I think is a big factor right now. And yeah, we will see how it is.

“We maybe just need to find a new style or something because the meta is completely different; people are just fighting, pushing. It’s not about all the utility right now, you only have Sova recon and Sova drone and you just fight. And Fnatic is a team that always plays slow. So it’s the complete opposite, and I think it’s quite hard in this meta right now.”

Hotspawn: On the broadcast today, they showed a clip of nAts giving a speech in which he was targeting Boaster specifically, and they also showed Boaster standing up and delivering some words to nAts through the series.

What were your thoughts on their head-to-head?

Kaajak: “I think there was some stuff that maybe Boaster said to nAts, but I think it was mostly from the last game when we played them and won 2-0. I believe there were some things that Boaster was saying to nAts, but I don’t think it’s really real beef or something. It’s just making the showmanship and, yeah, I think it’s just nice to stand up and give some energy

“If you just sit down, it’s kind of boring. Yesterday [versus M8], I think it was a really nice game for us because everyone was standing up, shouting stuff, and both of the teams were doing it back and forth. So I think it was really cool.”

NO CHILL @nAts__ss 💀 pic.twitter.com/bRJ2eExiX8

— VALORANT Esports EMEA (@vct_emea) February 15, 2026

Hotspawn: You’re starting your second year in the VCT, now an established player and arguably the best rookie worldwide last season after joining Fnatic to replaced Derke.

How different does it feel starting the season now compared to last year?

Kajaak: “My first year was obviously really good. I think I grew a lot as a player and as a person. I think it’s just getting more comfortable on the stage, learning some stuff and everything. So I think I grew a lot.

“And coming to this year, in the off season I was testing a lot of stuff, so I was not focusing on my performance because I wanted to still be better. And coming into this Kickoff, I wanted to prove that I’m still really good. And I think it got me in my head too much, especially after the first game when we lost after BBL, I was overthinking a lot of stuff.

“I think after the second game or third game, I came back to my normal self and just played the game. But I’m still not happy with this performance. I was really inconsistent this Kickoff, and I think I just don’t have a proper read on the meta and how to play the game. Sometimes I feel comfortable, sometimes I don’t feel comfortable. So I need to look more into that. And for Stage 1, I just need to be better.”