We Had the Victory Within Our Reach, but Squandered It in the End” – RobbaN Reflects on ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018 Final Collapse
In a candid reflection, former FaZe coach RobbaN opened up about the team’s emotional state following their heartbreaking defeat in the ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018 final. He discussed the team’s internal struggles and the eventual signing of NiKo – a move that would shape the future of the organization. RobbaN’s insightful comments shed light on the highs and lows of top-level professional Counter-Strike, offering a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by elite teams and their coaching staff. RobbaN acknowledged that the team had the championship well within their grasp, only to falter at the final hurdle. “We had it in our own hands, obviously, we fucked up in the end, for sure,” he reflected. The agony of such a close-yet-distant victory was palpable in his words, highlighting the fine margins that separate triumph and defeat at the highest level of competitive gaming. The signing of NiKo, the star player from mousesports, was seen as a potential game-changer for FaZe.
RobbaN explained the thought process behind this high-profile transfer, noting that the team believed NiKo’s addition would provide the necessary boost to push them over the edge and claim major titles. However, the transition was not without its challenges, as the coach navigated the delicate dynamics of integrating a new superstar into an already established lineup. As RobbaN looked towards the future, he remained resolute in his commitment to the game and his desire to continue making a positive impact. The lessons learned from the ELEAGUE Major disappointment, he said, would serve as valuable experience for him and the team as they sought to bounce back stronger than ever.
The Successful Years with FaZe Clan
RobbaN joined the FaZe Clan Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team in 2016 and made an immediate impact. During his tenure with the organization, he helped guide the team to over 10 trophy victories and they amassed a total of $131,448 in prize money earnings. This was a highly successful period for FaZe, as they established themselves as one of the premier teams in the global CS2 landscape. A major turning point came in 2017 when FaZe brought on the superstar player NiKo. Acquiring NiKo was not an easy task, as he was one of the most coveted free agents at the time. Under RobbaN’s coaching, the team had previously been led by the legendary player ScreaM. However, when the opportunity to sign NiKo arose, FaZe seized it, knowing he could take the team to new heights. The gamble of bringing on NiKo paid immediate dividends. In 2017 alone, FaZe won two of the biggest tournaments that year – ESL One: New York 2017 and ELEAGUE Premier 2017. RobbaN’s leadership and strategic mind, combined with the immense talent of players like NiKo, Karrigan, and olofmeister, made FaZe an absolute juggernaut in professional CS2.
However, the team suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the FACEIT Major: London 2018 against Cloud9. RobbaN admitted that this loss was particularly difficult for him, as he felt they had the upper hand and should have won the match. He said it was the first time he didn’t re-watch a game, as the disappointment of that defeat was simply too much to bear. In his eyes, FaZe seemed like the perfect team at the time, so to lose in such a fashion really crushed the team’s morale. “Boston had everything in our hands, obviously we messed up in the end,” RobbaN lamented. “It was a valuable lesson for Karrigan and the team. Finals losses like that are hard to fix, but we learned and improved from the experience.”
Despite this setback, FaZe remained one of the top contenders in the global CS2 scene. However, RobbaN’s coaching career then hit a major roadblock in September 2020 when he received a 5.5-month ban from all ESIC events for using the infamous coaching bug. To make matters worse, in January 2021 he was slapped with an additional two-major ban from Valve for the same offense. The team managed to overcome these adversities and win the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 without RobbaN at the helm. But in a surprising move on July 14, 2023, RobbaN suddenly stepped down from the coaching position, an unexpected decision for everyone involved. Despite the ups and downs, RobbaN remains a respected figure in the CS2 community. He is now serving in an oversight role for FaZe’s CS roster, though he didn’t close the door on a potential return to coaching in the future.
“I think I could become a coach again under favorable circumstances. But not right now. In the future, who knows? Coaching is a lot of fun, you’re still involved even if you’re not playing. I definitely wouldn’t turn down an opportunity like that in the future,” RobbaN said. For now, with NEO currently serving as FaZe’s coach and producing strong results, there doesn’t appear to be an opening for RobbaN to reclaim that position. However, his extensive experience and knowledge of the game could make him an attractive candidate for other teams looking to bolster their coaching staff. It remains to be seen if RobbaN will get another chance to lead a top-tier CS2 squad from the sidelines.
