He was announced as the roster's brand-new in-game leader when the Danish squad underwent considerable changes, including the legendary four-time Major winner, Lukas "gla1ve" Rossander, benched due to insufficient results in the first half of 2023.

Some would say it was a hefty legacy to take on, following gla1ve. In contrast, others might argue that the 26-year-old Benjamin "blameF" Bremer was more than ready to adopt a leadership role, taking over from his two-year senior team captain. Nonetheless, blameF was keen and quickly proved he was the perfect fit for the position of team captain, now being one of the two eldest in the Danish quintet alongside the superstar AWPer Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz.

With blameF and Co. qualifying for the playoff stages in both IEM Cologne and ESL Pro League Season 18 this fall, the team has impressed from the start. In this interview, we sat down with the ambitious IGL to discuss his experiences as team captain after just three months.

Up until now, there haven't been any real problems. I've only had to adopt a stern demeanor or speak strictly a few times. The team has a fantastic atmosphere, and we've been clicking socially | blameF

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blameF: We've Only Been Together for Nearly Three Months; Things Take Time

At the start of 2023, the old roster struggled to qualify for playoff stages. Therefore, the fact that this new team has already reached the playoffs is quite fulfilling. Of course, our performance in the playoff stages matters, but the first step in developing a strong unit is to qualify for the final rounds, where the world's best teams compete for glory, says the in-game leader.

- It's crucial for me that we establish ourselves and recognize our current standing. We need to prove that we belong at this level and can continue to qualify for the playoff stages. We don't need to rush, becoming overly eager by saying, "We're in the playoffs now; our next goal must be to win the tournament right away." We've only been together for nearly three months; things take time!

- One of the most important aspects for me as an IGL is ensuring that my teammates feel heard and have opportunities to leave their mark as players within our strategies. I don't pursue a leadership style where I dictate every detail, constantly telling others what to do. Players perform at their best when they feel free to act on their instincts and have the chance to explore potential plays during practice sessions. 

Emphasizes the Need for a Clear Team Strategy

Still, blameF emphasizes the need for a clear team strategy to achieve their objectives.

- I'm not blind to the fact that we need a clear strategy as a unit in-game. To achieve our goals, we have to stay aligned. However, it's essential that every member of this squad feels they can speak freely about our direction and plans, blameF notes.

The 26-year-old Dane has not only built upon what the previous roster created, but he also quickly addressed specific problems.

- There's no doubt about the individual roles on this team. Everyone knows what to do in given situations—like who makes room for whom on specific maps, who takes the lead in frags, and who handles the grenades on particular maps. We've already had extensive discussions about these details to ensure clarity. This precise issue was a problem with the old roster, where my teammates and I weren't entirely sure about our roles from one map to the next, the team captain states.