"Being Myself Is My Strength" — Hans Sama After G2's Reverse Sweep to MSI
Photo Credit: Riot Games
Down 0-2 against MKOI, then came a reverse sweep. G2 Esports are going to MSI and heading into the final where they can defend their LEC Versus title. Series MVP Steven "Hans Sama" Liv sat down with RFT.GG right after — still catching his breath — to talk about the throws, his individual peak, what he learned from BLG at First Stand, and why he hopes KC finds their way back to the final.
How are you feeling?
Super happy. When you have a series like that, you get taken to 0-2 and then do a reverse sweep like that — it doesn't happen every day. It's a huge mental battle. It's hard to stay in a good mood when you're 0-2 down and have to refocus and put out those performances. But I'm happy the team was strong mentally today.
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We always believed in ourselves. And honestly, if we had won 3-0, I wouldn't have this feeling. I'm too happy right now and it's good for the experience.
It would have been 3-1 if you hadn't thrown game two. How do you explain it happening so often?
I think we take too many risks when we're ahead. We need to think a bit more calmly, more lucidly in those moments. A lot of the throws were really overplay — we didn't need to do that. The game was easily controllable, easily winnable.
I think we just overplay a bit.
Maybe we want to have fun, I don't know. I think we forget things — they are very fast on the map and maybe we're not careful enough because the game feels like it's in good hands. And yeah, it's starting to become a bit of a habit, getting this close to throwing, but we'll work on it. That's clearly where it is.
Now that you've qualified for MSI — which ADCs do you want to play against there?
I'm really curious to measure my level and prove myself against every bot lane in the world.
Any specific ones you're looking forward to?
BLG. They took the First Stand trophy from us. And honestly, I was confident against them in that BO. I think we attacked them well in a lot of matchups — but they attack very hard too, they're very intelligent in how they lane. I want that challenge of being able to beat them. I know how they play and I want to try to counter it. BLG is a really solid team. Aside from them, we'll work to be in good shape and we'll beat the rest.
Did you need that final against BLG at First Stand to really understand how they play? Do you see them as a bot lane that's very strong on the weak side, very good at absorbing pressure?
I think they're very aggressive. ON is a support who makes a lot of plays — he's very aggressive, maybe it could look like inting, but the guy is pressing pressure more than anyone. And Viper — I feel like every player has their specific things. I find that Viper holds his position really well in the lane and maybe it's a bit harder to move him. When I play against ADCs, I try to find their specific strengths and weaknesses. I adapt very well, I think. That's why the experience of playing against them in the final was great for me.
Next time we play them, I want my revenge.
Photo Credit: Bruno Alvares/Riot Games
How do you explain that G2 seems to have such a clear edge over KC, but struggles more against MKOI? Style of play, KC underperforming against you?
I think when we get to playoffs, what changes is the teamplay — right now teamplay is super important. Drafts too, of course. Like game one against MKOI — I think we lose that every day. It was a bit of an unwinnable draft unless we beat them early. The most important thing in these playoffs is teamplay. Individual performance matters obviously, but everyone always tries to be at their individual peak. In terms of teamplay, I think we're stronger than the other teams — you can see it against MKOI. How they move on the map, it's the same kind of thing.
Does the fact that both you and MKOI have been together for two years help with that teamplay?
Of course it helps. The things we say to each other, a big part of them get said because of shared experience. You saw something last year and now you can reference it when you play. In terms of how we play as a team — I think we push our lead well in the mid game. When it comes to late game we front a bit. Late game teamplay... let's not talk about it *laugh*.I think it's more individual things there. But we'll work on it — it's easier to fix than early and mid game things.
In Winter you were maybe a bit off your form individually compared to what we've seen since First Stand. What happened in between?
In Winter I was a bit lost. I tried things that weren't me. I think being myself is my strength — in terms of how I live my life around the game.
The First Stand experience gave me a lot of confidence, because when I played against the best ADCs in the world, I found that I can beat them. In terms of knowledge, experience, mechanics, I think I can be right up there. Having that experience gives me a lot of motivation and confidence for the Spring Split. I continue working with Labrov and I really believe I can beat anyone and bring a lot of pressure for our team. That's the biggest difference between Winter and Spring for me.
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Do you feel like you're playing the best League of Legends of your career right now? You've been extremely consistent since First Stand, and today you were series MVP.
I think there are a lot of things I'm doing better. I'm not sure if it's my best League of Legends ever — I had some big peaks like 2021 with Rogue. Everyone was playing a bit worse than they do today, but relative to the standard I was really strong. But today I feel like I've solved a lot of things about the game — I understand better mechanically, I understand the individual aspects better. I've found the formula and how I should click, and that gives me a lot more confidence individually.
I play a good league, but there's things I can do better. I think I can carry a lot of games — but I need to get better at calling what I need from my teammates in teamfights. I think I really need to work on that to get the most out of teamfights.
Who do you think you'll meet in the final?
I think it'll be KC. I have confidence they can come back in form.
Caliste is a very good ADC, I think he can make it back to the final. I hope for him that he will — and it'll be a banger.
I think it will be them.
Rapid Fire Questions
A rapid-fire round to close out — yes/no answers, with optional context.
MKOI bot lane is better than KC bot lane. → No.
You are currently at the best individual level of your career. → No.
People are baited with pro players' age but it doesn't mean anything in esports. → Yes.
The LPL is currently more scary than the LCK. → Yes.
Draven is currently unusable in pro play. → Yes.
Is this the first time you're going to an international tournament to win it, not just perform? → No.
Viper is the best ADC in the world right now. → Debatable. But I'd say no.
This G2 team is the best you've ever played for in your career. → Yes.
If you had to bet on who you'll face in the final, you'd bet on KC. → Yes.
