Following Team Heretics' decisive victory over Team Vitality to secure Stage 2 playoffs qualification on Friday 1, Sheep Esports spoke to Mert "Wo0t" Alkan about the team’s preparation. Their ability to remain calm under pressure, and his development since reaching the top tier of VCT EMEA. He offered insights into his in-game mindset, the role of ranked play in refining his skills, and the importance of maintaining mental and strategic composure for Heretics' continued success this season.

How are you feeling after pulling off that victory, and what does this result mean for you and the team moving forward?

Mert "Wo0t" Alkan: "It feels great. We’ve officially secured playoffs now. Each week brings us one step closer to Champions. But the job’s not finished. Our goal remains to go 5-0 in the group, as always. And yeah, it’s nice to close out the series quickly. We’ll get to enjoy some good burgers tonight.

The match had some nail-biting moments, especially in the first map when everything was on the line. Can you walk us through how the team stayed focused during those final rounds, and what was going through your mind in those crucial clutch moments?

Wo0t: Honestly, we remained very composed even when they started to come back. We felt in control the whole time. We manipulated their movements, forced them into our setups, and they just walked into it and died. The 11-11 eco round, for example, we secured it through good utility usage and solid team play. When we execute like that, there’s no opportunity for the opponent to win. I think we’re just very effective in those scenarios, and we don't give them a chance to breathe.

How did the team prepare for facing Vitality? Were there any specific tactics or practice routines you focused on this week to counter their playstyle?

Wo0t: As usual, we went through our analysis routine. We studied their tendencies, they studied ours. It’s a lot of counter-stratting on both sides. But I genuinely believe that our group, especially Boo (Ričardas Lukaševičius), is on another level compared to others. We consistently have the edge in that department. At the same time, we showed great aim throughout the series. Were just landing our shots, and that leaves the opponent with few options. This happens a lot: teams try to anti-strat us, and we do the same to them. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But what really matters is how we perform in the actual match. And time and time again, we simply show up stronger.

This is your first full year competing at the top tier of VCT EMEA. How were you able to make such a strong impact, and what has the journey been like for you transitioning to top-level play?

Wo0t: Honestly, I don’t see myself as a rookie any more. At this point, I probably have more experience than 90% of the VCT — I’m not exaggerating. We’ve played multiple stages and countless high-stakes matches. In my first year, I was driven by pure hype and adrenaline. Now, it’s more about experience and composure. I’m actively thinking about every possibility: what they might do, what I can do in response. I’m also much more focused on my utility and communication now. I wasn’t paying as much attention to those details last year. These days, I’m calling setups that sometimes completely change the outcome of a round. That’s where my attention is right now.

What does your practice routine look like on a day-to-day basis? How do you balance individual skill work with team scrimmages and strategy meetings?

Wo0t: To be honest, I don’t do anything special. I just play ranked. That’s my routine: wake up, breakfast, practice with the team, then ranked matches, then sleep. That’s pretty much my entire day. We’re just constantly playing.

Since stepping into the VCT EMEA spotlight, where do you think you’ve grown the most as a player? Is there any aspect of your gameplay or mindset that you’ve worked on significantly over the past months?

Wo0t: It’s all mental. I’ve been actively thinking about the game and making smart plays that a lot of people don’t even notice. I’d say I play more with my brain than with my aim. A year ago, I was just relying on mechanical mouse and keyboard. But now I’ve developed into a more cerebral player. I plan each round before, during, and after. I think about what options are available, and I try to create paths that nobody expects. That’s my edge. And when you combine that with a strong aim, it’s tough to stop me.

With this win, you’re in a solid position for VCT EMEA Stage 2. What are the team’s goals for the rest of the stage, and how confident are you that you can qualify for Valorant Champions?

Wo0t: We’re quite confident, as you’ve seen, we’re dominating in the server. But we’re taking it game by game. At this point, every match matters, every point counts toward Champions qualification. That’s why we’re fully focused on the next opponent right now, that’s FUT. Of course, our sights are set on Champions, but we haven’t qualified yet. So for now, it’s about staying locked in for the remaining matches.

The support from the Heretics fans has been huge, especially for a newer player like you. How has the fan base’s enthusiasm affected you, and is there anything you’d like to say to all the Heretics supporters out there?

Wo0t: I’m really happy with my fanbase. I think they’re some of the least toxic and most thoughtful fans in the scene. They’re mature, and they understand what I’m trying to achieve. They don’t flame me, they don’t spread negativity. Instead, they just say things like “nice try,” or “good job, go next.” They keep it respectful and supportive, no matter the outcome. I genuinely believe they’re one of the best fanbases in the VCT.

We’ve seen multiple multi-kills from you this Stage, including a stunning 4K with Waylay against Gentle Mates. What’s your secret to such consistent aim beyond simply being Turkish?

Wo0t: [Laugh] Like I said, it’s ranked. That’s the secret. And to be fair, that’s probably why a lot of Turkish players are cracked. We love ranked. We just grind the game day and night. That’s what I’m doing too. We already spend nine to ten hours practicing as a team, and on top of that, I add two to three more hours of ranked play. That’s around four matches per day on average, sometimes more, sometimes less. But that’s my routine, and clearly, it’s working."