The 2019 League of Legends World Championship is just around the corner so it is the perfect time to catch up with one of the most seasoned players on the Worlds stage to get his opinions and thoughts about this exciting time. Huni, the top laner for Clutch Gaming, will be representing his third region at Worlds this year and has a thing or two to say about the road ahead.

Let’s start with a super general question to get the ball rolling. With all of the recent ups and downs of the Summer Split, The Gauntlet, and now preparing for Worlds, how are you feeling?

Huni: I think as a team we’ve shown a lot. We play really well when we’re ahead and at the same time we never give up. There were times when things were going pretty poorly, but we caught up and we learned how to come back, we nearly had to start from the bottom and come across some of the worst possibilities.

We would have to win like 4 games in a row in the regular season, then have to win every single Bo5 (best of five) starting with FlyQuest where everyone was under pressure, but I think we played better and everyone was desperate to win so we would learn and improve. I think we’ve shown that (we have improved), so we’re pretty confident as a team, but I think with every team (at Worlds) it’s going to be the same thing; they won their region, that’s why they’re here, so we just have to win.

What about the feeling in the team? Do you think that you can carry the amazing momentum you guys have built up into the future?

Huni: I don’t think I’ll be able to carry it alone specifically, but I think I can give help to my teammates; I’ve been here a lot and I’m pretty experienced so I’ll just tell them how it is and what’s going on since it’s their first time at Worlds. I’ll just do what I did during last season in The Gauntlet, Playoffs, the regular season, and even Spring Split.

What has the merger between CG and Dignitas meant to you as a player? Have you noticed any improvements?

Huni: I recognise that the company is trying way harder and that’s why we’ve had some big changes. I’d say coaching staff, roster and our mentality as a team with the attitude we have going into our games have changed a lot.

CG has played a lot of games over this past season, with 27 of those coming after the regular season had already ended. Do you think it’s a good thing that you had to play this many games or would you prefer a longer break?

Huni: I don’t know, I don’t even think there’s going to be an answer honestly. We just need to find a good balance between not burning out and not chilling too much. I think we’re in a pretty good spot in the middle and it’s unfortunate we had to play in The Gauntlet and now in Play-ins but I still think we’ll be playing even better.

You were named Player of the Series against TSM for your dominance in the Top Lane. How would you rate your own performance at this stage in your career?

Huni: I’m really satisfied with how I play in tournaments, especially on stage. I’ve been playing really well, the way I think about myself I would rate maybe a 9/10.

Obviously now you’re bootcamping in the Misfits Gaming facility in Berlin. How has that been going and what are you hoping to achieve during your time there?

Huni: Yeah so we’re bootcamping here at the Misfits facility and it’s very close to where Fnatic used to be which feels good. I want to bring it back to the last time I was at Worlds in Europe. I played really well then too and fans were crazy, I want to feel that passion again.

After beating TSM, Lira said that he wants to prove that NA Junglers are better than EU Junglers. Is there anything you want to prove in this upcoming World Championship?

Huni: I think in 2019 Worlds I want to prove that I’m still a good player. There are a lot of people saying I peaked in 2015 or 2017 and that kind of stuff, so I’d like to prove myself individually but at the same time as a team that CG can make it to the group stages and that we’ll try as much as we can.

You’ve been to Worlds to represent Europe, Korea and now you’re going for North America, but what are your thoughts on coming into Worlds through the play-in stage for the first time in your career?

Huni: On the plane I was kind of nervous; I don’t want to stop at the Play-ins, that would be horrible and I really don’t want that to happen. But I also know that this is my third region (that I’ll be) representing at Worlds so… it’s a pretty sick record.

Now, you’re a player who’s full of confident energy and you’ve even said that a group stage with Fnatic and SKT “would be fun”. Which player or team going to Worlds would you be most excited to come up against?

Huni: Yeah, I mean I mentioned it was going to be fun but I didn’t expect that group was actually going to be our group! I mean, we’re most likely going to be in Group C with RNG, Fnatic and SKT, so no matter who it is, those kinds of groups are going to be exciting to play in.

Alright one final question; if you had to swap lanes with one other member of CG, who would it be and why?

Huni: Oh man, I don’t know, that’s kind of a tough question! If I had to choose someone to swap with, I’d probably choose Cody Sun in ADC since I’ve been playing ADC a lot.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to answer these questions! Is there anyone that you’d like to give a shoutout to or anything you’d like to say to close this interview out?

Huni: I always appreciate the support for CG, Dignitas and for Huni, even for my teammates and coaching staff. I can’t wait to hear my name on stage, that’s going to be amazing… I miss that a lot, it’s going to be fun and I hope we have all of your support!

We’d like to wish Huni the best of luck at Worlds and encourage everyone to follow @Huni on Twitter, so that you can stay up to date and give him your support!