With their convincing and eye-opening performance in Overwatch Contenders Season 0, 123 has definitively made a splash in the European Overwatch scene. In their convincing win over eUnited, 123’s, Simon "snillo" Ekstrom sat down for a quick interview about their recent win; where he thinks 123 stacks up against the rest of the competition, and how Kirby has been helping them with their gameplay.

To start things off, congratulations on the solid victory over Eunited. Does the win feel a bit sweeter with, seeing how they took the Overwatch Season 0 Grand Finals over your team? Is there any form of revenge there that made the win feel a bit better?

Yeah it felt great getting revenge from last time playing against them. Everytime we play against them it's really close so it's always fun to beat them.

Let's talk about Volskaya Industries. What in your mind went wrong? That map in particular seemed a bit more close than you guys would have liked. Was there anything that you would have changed?

Volskaya is probably one of our weakest maps and eUnited is very strong on that particular map. I think our ults when we are attacking was our biggest downfall, if we were to replay the map we would focus more on our ult economy.

Recently you have added two new players to 123. How have Hafficool and Finnsi fit within the team structure? It seems like everything has gelled fairly well and 123’s play has been stellar, but what are your thoughts on the new additions?

Finnsi and Hafficool have been great replacements, it has made us more flexible and our team chemistry is feeling great right now.

You mention having more flexibility and we are approaching a new and interesting patch. What are you thoughts on some of the most recent changes to D.Va and Mercy? Could we see some you on Junkrat anytime soon?

Because this match was being played on the old patch, we haven't practised on the new patch yet, but its seems like the metagame might change quite a bit. I can definitely see more Junkrat being played in the future.

Now you have talked about ultimate economy and recently it has been announced that Kirby has started coaching 123. Could you talk about how has Kirby been assisting the team? Have you personally felt a difference within the team atmosphere yet? Are the ultimates something that he is tackling specifically?

Kirby has been coaching us the last few days and it's already having a good impact on us. We played more patient and smart thanks to him. He has been helping us quite a bit with special strats for our first attacks on most points.

So far your strength of schedule has been a bit on the weaker side, is there anyone who you are preparing for or are you taking the matches one at a time? Where do you guys think you stand in the EU side of Overwatch Contenders?

We are taking our matches one at a time definitely but I think misfits is our hardest opponent. I think we could get easily get top 4 at least.

Were you surprised at all with any of the other matches today? In your eyes, did anyone perform better than expected? And in regards to last weeks match, was there anyone on Bazooka Puppiez that surprised you at all?

No, the results didn't surprise me. I think Boombox performed great as usual and on Bazooka Puppiez, Mete did really well.

Now looking a bit forward, Team Gigantti is your opponent for next week, do you have any words for your opponents? And what are your thoughts on their recent performance?

Gigantti is one of the strongest teams in Europe and we will be playing with a stand-in against them, because bock1 will be on vacation in Italy, so they will be tough. Their recent performance has been really good.

Ahahaha, so we could possibly see some of Kirby’s “secret strategies” than, ehh?

Yup, definitely, Hahaha.

As always the last comment of the interview is all yours. Where can people find you, what is coming next for 123, and do you have any messages to your fans?

Well, my Twitter is @overwatchsnillo and I might start streaming soon as well. Next up for 123 is making top 4 in Contenders and eventually winning the entire tournament ;). I hope our fans keep cheering for us!

Joseph “Volamel” Franco has followed esports since the MLG’s of 2006. He started out primarily following Starcraft 2, Halo 3, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. He has transitioned from viewer to journalist and writes freelance primarily about Overwatch. If you would like to know more or follow his thoughts on esports you can follow him at @Volamel.

Images courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.