After a heartbreaking loss against GIANTX (1-2) that officially eliminates Gentle Mates from VALORANT VCT EMEA, Sheep Esports sat down with Patrik "Minny" Hušek, the in-game leader, to discuss the challenges faced throughout their debut VCT season. From stage inexperience and missed opportunities to personal lessons and future goals, he opens up about the emotional toll of the split, the realities of competing as an Ascension team, and what still drives him heading into the final matches.

Tough loss today. Can you walk us through what went wrong in this match and where you felt the turning point was?

Patrik "Minny" Hušek: "Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what went wrong. I think, overall, we approached this official differently compared to scrims. The rookie aspect probably got to us a bit. We were lacking experience on stage, we played scared, hesitant to close out rounds or make decisive plays. That fear showed in our decision-making.

What do you think the team was missing today to close out the second map?

Minny: It came down to the small things. I definitely could’ve made better calls on the attack. They were heavily stacking B every round, and I still opted for B executes, so the calls weren’t optimal. But overall, we lacked sharpness in the duels and didn’t react well to their plays. They were quite readable, but I think we overthought things too much. We probably just needed to play more simply, trust our macro fundamentals, and focus on executing solid plans.

Gentle Mates are now mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and therefore eliminated from VCT EMEA. How are you and the team processing that news emotionally and mentally?

Minny: It's tough. Last week, I honestly thought we were already eliminated, but when we found out there was still a chance, it reignited our motivation. We felt we still had a job to do. I believe we gave it everything we had. We're all extremely disappointed. It's heartbreaking to be out. For Gentle Mates and everyone supporting us, it isn’t easy, especially since we’ve consistently had the largest crowd presence and incredible support on social media throughout the year. And yet, we couldn’t deliver the results. Still, at the end of the day, I know I gave it my all, and I don’t have regrets in that regard. I just feel sad for the org and the fans.

You're now 0–4 in the standings. What’s been the biggest challenge in turning close games into actual wins throughout the split?

Minny: I think it comes down to experience. We’re five rookies going up against teams with significantly more experience at the highest level in Europe. It’s not easy to show up and perform under that kind of pressure. We’ve always played at a decent level, but we were missing the kind of composure and energy that helps close games. That final push we just didn’t have it consistently.

How do you approach the final games of the split? Is it about focusing on development or sending a message?

Minny: Both, maybe. But more than anything, I really want to win our next match. I want to be there on stage after the game, in the interview, shouting out Gentle Mates, the owners, the fans, everyone who’s supported us all year. That would mean a lot to me.

As the in-game leader, how are you balancing shot-calling with the need to keep the team mentally strong during such a difficult season?

Minny: We all tried to contribute on that front. Yes, I’m the IGL, but I’m also one of the youngest players on the team. Everyone was doing their best to bring energy. I spoke up when needed, but we supported each other every single day as a team, with our performance coaches and our management. It wasn’t just my role to uplift the team. We all shared that responsibility. So, I’m proud of the collective effort. We stuck together, no matter the results. I have no regrets in that sense.

What’s one major lesson you’ve personally learned from competing at the international VCT level this year?

Minny: One thing I’ve realized for sure is that individual skill alone isn't enough. I genuinely believe we had some of the best aimers, maybe the five strongest aimers combined on one roster, but winning on stage is about much more than just mechanical ability. Sometimes, you need players with slightly less raw skill but significantly more experience and composure. That balance is key.

Now that elimination is official, what’s your perspective on the current system for non-franchised teams?

Minny: It's disheartening, honestly. I believe the gap between tier 1 and tier 2 should be more open. We should be playing more matches. For someone like me trying to grow as an IGL, it’s incredibly limiting to play just one official match per month. Young players like us need more reps to develop. Right now, it feels like orgs are forced to sign older, less mechanically skilled players just because they have experience and that experience matters. But if the system allowed us to play more games, then someone like me could gain that experience faster and step into that leadership role with more confidence. That’s what’s missing.

Despite the losses, are there areas where you genuinely feel the team has improved? Are there moments or rounds you can still be proud of?

Minny: Absolutely. What we accomplished here is something I’m proud of. I’m only 20, and this was my first year IGLing in VCT. There aren’t many players who get that kind of opportunity at this age. I’m proud that I took on the challenge. And honestly, we weren’t like some other teams. Every match was close, and every opponent had to fight to beat us. We were never an easy team to play. So even if we didn’t win, we showed we belonged here. I’m proud of that.

With Gentle Mates' future in VCT uncertain and more matches still to play, what do you want to prove as a player and as a team before the season ends?

Minny: There’s not much left to prove not as a team, and not as a player. We’ve got one official left, and after that, my next competition will be in February. But I really want to win that last game, just so I can use that moment to thank the fans and the organization properly. That would mean more to me than just writing a tweet. I want to show my gratitude with a win. So I’ll give it everything I have to make that happen."