In this post-match interview, Sheep Esports speaks to Emir "Alfajer" Ali Bedir about the VALORANT VCT EMEA Stage 2 playoff clash between Fnatic and BBL Esports. Alfajer provides clear assessments of his own performance and that of the team, which lost 1-2 against the Turkish team. He discusses how anti-stratting shaped Ascent, and explains the rationale behind selecting Chamber and Vyse in a double Sentinel setup.

He reflects on the habits that underpin his consistency, the role of deathmatches in honing his aim, the insights gained from veteran leadership, especially from Jake "Boaster" Howlett, strategies for navigating high-pressure rounds, and the challenges of a dense competitive schedule. We conclude by discussing his outlook for the rest of the season and his main goal: to lift the trophy at Champions in Paris.

How do you assess your performance and the team’s performance in tonight’s match against BBL?

Emir "Alfajer" Ali Bedir: "I’m not satisfied with our performance; we could have done better. I think we’re getting anti-stratted on Ascent and other maps, and we need to change that. Beyond that, there wasn’t much point in playing today. Our goal is Champions, so this felt almost like practice.

On Ascent, we saw a double Sentinel composition with Chamber and Vyse. What was the idea behind that, and what does it offer that a classic composition doesn’t?

Afajer: It worked well at first because opponents didn’t know what we were capable of with that setup. Now it’s very readable because we’ve played it a lot and everyone knows exactly what we’re doing. We probably need to change that composition. Chamber is very good on Ascent, but I couldn’t play my game because I constantly had Initiator's utility to dodge. That’s essentially what happened.

As a Turkish player facing BBL on a playoff stage, how did that matchup feel and did it change your mindset or motivation?

Afajer: I actually feel more relaxed against Turkish players and teams; they’re my friends. If I dislike the opponent, I’m more motivated. Just keep playing the game and do the things that make me happy.

How did you develop your aim to that level? Any specific training methods to keep it sharp under pressure?

Alfajer: My aim is pretty good because I’ve played a lot of deathmatch. That’s the main thing, just many deathmatches.

You’ve had a rapid career rise from the Turkish scene to Fnatic and major titles. What key turning points shaped your development?

Alfajer: They offered me a spot, and I joined. I didn’t expect to win Champions or become a world champion, but it happened.

Playing with veterans like Boaster and Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov, what’s one lesson that changed how you play?

Alfajer: Boaster (Jake Howlett) taught me a lot when I arrived from a Turkish team. He taught me everything about the game. I didn’t learn much from Chronicle because when he joined, I’d already been on Fnatic for a year. From Boaster, I learned how to play Sentinel and how to be a good person.

After the close loss to Liquid, how did you and the team reset and bounce back?

Alfajer: We always talk after wins and losses. At this point, everyone is professional, so we refocus quickly.

In high-pressure rounds on stage, what do you focus on to stay calm and make the right decisions?

Alfajer: I usually don’t get stressed; I just play normally. Back in the day, when I did feel stressed, I focused on breathing, taking good breaths calms you down. Before the officials wake up and go to the office, we have team activities. The night before a match, I play around 10–15 deathmatch games.

With the meta always shifting, how do you keep adapting while building long-term longevity?

Alfajer: It’s hard to adapt because we’ve been playing tournaments for a long stretch. That’s probably why we lost today, we’re tired. The VALORANT schedule is unusual; there isn’t much rest, it’s just event after event. That’s why we couldn’t adapt.

What are your personal and team goals for the rest of the season, and how confident are you about achieving them?

Alfajer: Our only goal is winning Paris Champions. We don’t care much about EMEA right now, we’ve already won several times. We want to win Champions because none of us except our coach has won it before."