try: "I was pretty nervous; I couldn't even breathe"

00NATION became the second Brazilian team to qualify for the Major after beating Complexity.

Following their failure to convert a 14-7 in the first game against 9z, Epitacio "⁠TACO⁠" de Melo's men successfully recovered their Major qualification campaign with victories over Isurus, Imperial, and Complexity.

Santino "⁠try⁠" Rigal was the star of the show in the series against the North American squad as he averaged a 1.21 rating across the three maps to punch 00NATION's ticket to Rio de Janeiro.

try could not hold back the tears after qualifying for the Major

After an emotional celebration with his team, the Argentinian caught up with us for a quick chat where he touched on his feelings during the last series and what he meant for him to qualify for the IEM Rio 2022 Major.

You missed out on the Major the first time when you went to 00NATION after leaving 9z, what went through your head as that last round happened?

I was pretty nervous, to be honest, I couldn't even breathe. I was very nervous because playing at the Major was always my dream since I was a kid, I grew up watching the Majors and it was a big dream and now it became true. I was pretty emotional about it, I even cried because the last time I lost to my ex-team and they went through while I didn't. That hurt a lot. I have always been dedicated, I really wanted to be at the Major and that's why there were tears and emotions.

Obviously, 9z also went through earlier today so are you excited about potentially facing them at the Major?

Yeah, we'll see. I am pretty happy about them, they are my friends and I always wish them the best so I am happy. We'll see what happens at the Major.

Read more 00NATION defeat Complexity to secure spot at IEM Rio

You said you were pretty emotional after the match, but during the game you were on fire, especially on Ancient, how did that look from your point of view?

Before the game I thought that this was a good chance to make the Major so I was like: "we are not going to lose, I am not going to let that happen." I put that [thought] in my mind and went straight in the server with the mindset that I was going to beat them and do my best.

Do you have any expectations for the Major?

I don't know, I cannot say anything right now. We're in good shape and we are getting heated up LAN after LAN. I'd say a good result would be making the Legends Stage, but yeah, I hope we do fine, maybe top eight.

Imperial #21 Gabriel 'FalleN' ToledoFernando 'fer' AlvarengaRicardo 'boltz' PrassMarcelo 'chelo' CespedesVinicius 'VINI' Figueiredo Epitacio 'TACO' de Melo Age: 27 Team: 00NATION Rating 1.0: 0.92 Maps played: 1431 KPR: 0.61 DPR: 0.65 Isurus #89 Nicolás 'Noktse' DávilaRoberto 'reversive' ThemthamIgnacio 'meyern' MeyerMarcos 'deco' AmatoLuciano 'luchov' Herrera Complexity #17 Johnny 'JT' TheodosiouRicky 'floppy' KemeryHåkon 'hallzerk' FjærliMichael 'Grim' WinceJustin 'FaNg' Coakley 00NATION #29 Marcelo 'coldzera' DavidEpitacio 'TACO' de MeloEduardo 'dumau' WolkmerBruno 'latto' RebelattoSantino 'try' Rigal Santino 'try' Rigal Age: 18 Team: 00NATION Rating 1.0: 1.17 Maps played: 340 KPR: 0.77 DPR: 0.60 9z #50 Maximiliano 'max' GonzalezFranco 'dgt' GarciaDavid 'dav1deuS' Tapia MaldonadoLucas 'nqz' SoaresNicolás 'buda' Kramer