First of all please tell us a few words about yourself.

My name is Shayan “Shayan” Taleb, currently situated in Sweden. I’m 19 years old and working for hoorai.

Tell us a few words about hoorai history. When and how was the team brought to life?

hoorai as a organization got official the first of July. Then there was only a q4 player and the CS squad, after a couple of weeks we recruited a FIFA team and the wc3 following weeks. The CS team itself is a blend between the old Astralis team and the old Serious-Gaming team. ToNppa, naSu & lurppis from SG and ruuit & contE from Astralis.

The latest LAN event where we could see hoorai, was WSVG UK. You finished in second place. Do you see it as a success or rather a failure?

I personally see it as a failure; the team is the best I know. But I’m very, very proud over the guys, they pulled of some great results and I’m very confident that they’ll keep on fighting like this!

During the tournament you managed to totally demolish the world top team – SK.swe. Did it happen because they were not in best shape or because you just played so well?

A team getting beaten twice by the same team, in two days doesn’t mean the team isn’t good. Means the other team is just better. And personally I would be very disappointed if the team hadn’t won those two games.

Only one team was better than you – Pentagram G-Shock. However, in the grand final your team managed to win the first map. After that many people thought that you will win the whole event. But you lost on de_dust2. Why did it happen?

PGS showed a great team play on dust2, was absolutely perfect, flawless. Can’t find any proper word for it. But as well as that, they had a little advantage. TSN broadcasted in the same room without any delay. They technically just laid out our tactics for them on the speakers, telling everyone where we were.

After the event we could read about an unpleasant fact. Because of naSu age you did not receive any prizes. What do you think about this situation? Has anything changed from that time?

Well, our view towards the WSVG admins. What I’ve heard gamefrontier (a uk organization company & the company I mailed about the age restriction months prior to the event) lost their contract the day before. The whole thing started when I asked the GF admin about the age restriction, he clearly stated it would be 16 and above. But suddenly Tonya told us right after the prize ceremony there wouldn’t be any money or a spot for us. Which sucks donkey. Since we had already figured out a stand-in for the finals. Now, when we clearly stated we had got the info that the event would be 16, Tonya wouldn’t listen to us, neither did the mail that I got get her to any other thoughts. We had spent a lot of money, just traveling to UK and gave us the time to play. I’ve got a job, some has school. This just made me loose the respect I had towards the WSVG admins, since this clearly show them how others can affect a tournament.

The nearest event where we will be able to see hoorai is World Cyber Games. You were placed in Group D, which you should easily win. But maybe you are afraid of some opponents?

I don’t have any info about any other teams in the group. All I know you shouldn’t underestimate anyone, there’s a reason they’ve qualified to the WCG tournament.

After the group stage there will be a single elimination bracket. Do you think that it is a good idea in a tournament like this?

I don’t think it’s a good idea at all. A tournament should be in double bracket system always. No matter what.

Winner of Group D will play against the second team of Group H. It will probably be mibr, emulate or PGS. Which one would you like to face?

I would like to face mibr or PGS.

How far, do you think, hoorai will get in WCG finals?

I don’t think, I hope. At least I hope a top placement. That would satisfy me and the elders.

What are your plans after WCG? At which big events will we be able to meet you?

We will attend CPL Nordic, CPL winter, those two are for sure. We’re currently discussing which other tournaments can be visited.

Thanks for a nice chat and good luck at WCG. If you would like to add something, do it now.

I would like to thank the elders of hoorai. And the whole hoorai members. And our sponsors, sennheiser & bouncer4you. Peace out!