Alpha54 & Ferra (Vitality) Interview: “We did something no one has ever done.”

In the electrifying realm of esports, particularly the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS), Team Vitality has emerged as an undeniable powerhouse. Recently, they clinched the title of the RLCS Spring Split Major Champion at the much-anticipated Boston Major. Overcoming initial setbacks, Team Vitality showcased unmatched resilience as they navigated their way through the lower bracket, only to face and ultimately triumph over Team BDS in the Grand Finals.

Team Vitality has demonstrated consistent brilliance, having been crowned thrice consecutively as the European regional champions in the 2022-23 Spring Season. Their legacy in Rocket League is growing, and enthusiasts are eager to delve deeper into the minds of the champions, so Fragster recently approached Yanis ‘Alpha’ Champenois and Victor ‘Ferra’ Francal for an interview.

A Great Step Forward

How much motivation did the team draw from the first Grand Final in the Spring Split against Liquid?
Ferra: The first Grand Final was a great step forward for the team but win or lose we were already really happy with our performance in the first regional. Winning it was the icing on the cake.

What makes Vitality the best Team in the world right now?
Ferra: We won everything, we did something no one has ever done before, and no one will ever do for a very long time I think. This doesn’t come by chance, it’s not just one tournament, it’s 4 in a row: we’re a step ahead from every team in the World, in a lot of areas, not just in the game but also outside of the game.

WE ARE BOSTON MAJOR CHAMPIONS 🏆

FIRST EVER PERFECT SPLIT OF RL HISTORY

🐝 @Alpha54RL
🐝 @zenrll
🐝 @Radosin75
🐝 @Ferra_RL

The second star has never been that close #VforVictory pic.twitter.com/oFw682nljo

— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) July 9, 2023

How did the team deal with being booed at the start of the tournament?
Alpha54: We didn’t really care since with the headsets we don’t hear anything. We just focused on ourselves and on playing good which was the most important thing.
Ferra: It might have even given more motivation especially against Gen.G, we wanted to shut them down.

Was it an advantage that the team had already come a long way at the Winter Major and could therefore handle the pressure better?
Ferra: Yes, we used what we learned at the Winter Major with the team, and tried to fix things that didn’t work last time. Even though the roster changed, and Zen was added, the rest of the team was the same: our routines, our schedule, our preparation, we improved them with San Diego, so it was a big help. And Boston is going to help with Worlds as well.

Never at 100%

After the first Regional in the Spring Split, the team had announced it was not yet at 100%, is it now?
Ferra: No. Well to be fair it never is, we try to replicate as precisely as possible what we practice in scrims and in theory, but it’s not easy. We knew before Boston what we had to improve on, and after Boston we have a few things to go over and improve on for Dusseldorf. We have to improve, always, or other teams will catch up.

Is it convenient to have a former pro as a coach? If so, what are the advantages?
Alpha54: Ferra is a great coach, he understands the game well and knows how to lead and work as a team which is really good for us, he gives us tips about the game or the atmosphere on playing on LAN to make us feel confident.

FIRST TO EVER DO IT ! 🏆🏆🏆
2018 – 2023 pic.twitter.com/gZ8fRZX08x

— Ferra (@Ferra_RL) July 10, 2023

Was it an advantage that the team played against European teams at the end?
Alpha54: I think we didn’t really mind since we just wanted to beat everyone without caring about who it was, we knew we may have the edge on European teams but we still had to beat them.

Who will be your biggest competitor at the World Cup?
Alpha54: I think every team has a shot at winning anyway we don’t know what can happen but of course considering the last Major, BDS and Karmine seem to be the best with us.

A Glorious Moment

You finally got to celebrate your first LAN victory, how does that feel?
Alpha54: It feels really good, I was waiting for this moment for so many years that I couldn’t believe we won it, just happiness and relief to be honest.

What was the hardest series at the Major?
Alpha54: I would say the hardest was Complexity because it was on a bo5 and the round was crucial since we could make top 6 while if we lost we would’ve had to win 2 series to make top 6.

Alpha number 54 but none of the other 53 are like you.

You went from the team’s young blood to the leader and oldest member. We’re proud of what you became and we can’t wait to cheer for you for the years to come.@Alpha54RL, you are a Team Vitality Legend. 13/22 pic.twitter.com/tUfgYaqWS4

— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) July 19, 2023

There was a bit of a backlash/shitstorm regarding your speech to the audience in Boston, from the French Rocket League community, did that come as a surprise?
Ferra: I wouldn’t say it was from the French community, mostly from other french team’s fanbases. It didn’t come as a surprise to be honest, that’s the way these rivalries work: if we do really well, they’ll try and criticize anything they can, and obviously since we won it has to be on something else than gameplay.

Where is the whiteboard?
Ferra: Everywhere! The original one is in the Vitality offices, but I can find one or make something similar with paper sheets everytime on LAN.

 

Header: Rocket League Esports | Flickr