Vodafone Giants midlaner Prodromos “Pretty” Kevezitidis: “I think that as a team we reached our peak during the Spring SLO playoffs...This was very significant because during summer, our team practice became stale and there was not a lot of progress being made.”
Did you know that Pretty is not only the Iberian Cup 2020 winner, but as a player, he’s also the defending champion? He won the same tournament in 2019 with MAD Lions, and after knocking out his former team in the semis this time around, finished 2020 on a high.
It has been an odd year for Vodafone Giants, at least in the LVP SuperLiga Orange (SLO). From their utter dominance in spring, to a troubled summer, before ultimately securing the Iberian Cup. Perhaps as a consolation prize, they did qualify for the European Masters (EUM) twice and made Knockout Stage there in summer. Midlaner Pretty, who is now a free agent, joins us to talk about his year in review with the Spanish powerhouse, some pre-season thoughts and his goals for 2021.
Thank you for accepting this interview. First off, I’d like to say a belated congratulations on winning the Iberian Cup 2020, after going down 0–2 against G2 Arctic as well. What was the atmosphere like in the team and were you guys still absolutely confident in a reverse sweep?
Pretty: After the second game, our support Robert “Erdote” Nowak said ‘I’m kinda feeling like reverse sweeping today’ and it happened! It was that easy. We didn't panic with our drafts and we drew the right conclusions after the first two games, so we were confident in turning the series around.
That easy huh? Giants as a team did look slightly shaky with your new jungler Edgaras “Eckas” Strazdauskas, and that was to be expected. With this being an off-season cup, did the team continue to scrim and practice according to the regular season schedule or was it more relaxed?
Pretty: It was definitely more relaxed. For us, it was important to play enough scrims so we could get used to Eckas, and for him to get used to how we normally play. The jungler is very important in this meta so we had to be on the same page. We practiced one style and reached a good level, enough to win us the Iberian Cup.
With the Iberian Cup 2020 secured, this caps off a very interesting year with Giants: Champions in spring, top 4 in summer and two EUM appearances. How would you personally reflect on your year as a whole?
Pretty: Honestly, it was definitely underwhelming for me, because my personal goal was to reach LEC this year and I didn’t manage to do it. Spring season was alright because we won the SLO and just barely missed out on exiting the Group Stage in EUM spring, despite initially going 4–0.
However, summer season for me was just disappointing in all aspects. At least we managed to reach the Knockout phase in EUM summer after a good second half of the Group Stage, which felt good.
Indeed, the spring and summer seasons went differently for Giants, much to the surprise of many. Tell us what were the biggest factors or challenges during the summer season? Did COVID-19 significantly impact the team’s performances and plans?
Pretty: Definitely. When the first lockdown hit, it was at that time we were preparing for Spring Season playoffs and we were told we couldn’t leave the house, even for a walk, because the situation in Spain was really bad. I’ve spent a lot of time with my teammates this year, and I understood that for some of them, this negatively impacted their focus and state of mind more than others.
Apart from that, I think that as a team we reached our peak during the Spring SLO playoffs, even though we agreed that we didn’t need to make any changes to the team. This was very significant because during summer, our team practice became stale and there was not a lot of progress being made. As a result, we ended up playing worse during summer than we did in spring.
I believe you’ve been to EUM three times now, and this year many had expected Giants to be at least a top 4 team, especially in spring.
As usual, the first seed curse seems to continue to haunt participants, but for Giants, what were the biggest challenges playing in EUM this year? Was the competition much stronger than when you attended in 2019?
Pretty: I think the competition remained mostly the same, if anything I thought it was probably harder in 2019. The biggest challenges definitely were dealing with our weaknesses as a team and working on them.
Throughout this year we didn't manage to improve on that and as a team, we were only really good at only a specific style and thus become very predictable. Unluckily, the meta didn't suit us too so that made it harder.
Using EUM results as a guideline, many have noted the SLO’s level as a whole has dropped markedly after the LTR rules were implemented, with only Movistar Rides finishing top 4 in EUM spring this year.
As someone who’s played in Spain for a while now, what do you think of the SLO’s overall strength as a region?
Pretty: It’s true that the overall level has dropped from the past and it’s mostly because of the import rules like you mentioned. It still remains a strong region, and as you could see that from spring where we were considered one of the favorites to win EUM. I believe the SLO will still continue to be a strong contender for future EUM editions.
With the chaotic year of 2020 now over, and you ending it with more of a bang, what would you say has been your most memorable moment of this year?
Pretty: For me, it’s winning the SLO title in spring. I was very happy with how we played as a team and I thought our level of play was very good. It was my first time winning it in Spain, and it just felt appropriate doing it wearing the Giants’ colours!
“It’s my dream to join the LEC or LCS and compete with the best players from my region. I’m very confident I will be able to achieve this in 2021.” — Pretty
Of course while you’ve been away in Spain, you still have a loyal following back in your home country: Greece! Do you still follow the Greek scene and have there been any names that have impressed you?
Pretty: I don’t follow it all too closely because I haven’t had the time, unfortunately. I’ve watched the Greek Legends League (GLL) finals and I think there are a few good players, but the one that caught my eye was WLGaming Esports support Mertai “Mersa” Sari. He is a promising support, and I’m interested to see how he progresses.
Fun question for you then: With Markos “Comp” Stamkopoulos and Labros “Labrov” Papoutsakis representing Greece in the LEC, if you had to bet €5 on the next Greek player making LEC, who would it be?
Pretty: I have to say it will be me then (laugh) !
Of all the champions you play, I tend to associate you strongly with Viktor as your pocket pick. Before his new reworked passive for 2021, he was not an overly common pick in recent competitive patches. In your opinion, what makes him a good niche pick?
Pretty: I’m not surprised, it’s the only pick I currently have a 100% win rate on in competitive matches! He worked very well with how we played as a team. Viktor wasn’t played by a lot of people because he is very weak early game, and until you get your Hex Core upgrades you don’t have a lot of impact in the game. This is fixed now in the new season, and this means Viktor has more impact earlier than before.
Indeed, with his passive being changed a lot of people have been saying Viktor is incredibly strong in pre-season at the moment. What do you think of him at the moment and how are you building him?
Pretty: He is indeed very strong, and I think the best build option for me currently is Liandry’s Anguish into Lich Bane, and then whatever item you need. For example, Demonic Embrace and Cosmic Drive are both very strong items on him.
Do you have any solo queue advice for our readers who are left dazed and confused by the pre-season patch?
Pretty: (laugh) Play any champion that can build Sunfire Aegis until its nerfed!
Before we end, 2020 has not been an easy year for everyone and at least, you and Giants managed to end it with a bang. What are your personal goals for 2021? What are you looking to finally achieve?
Pretty: Like I mentioned earlier, I didn’t manage to achieve my goal of reaching LEC or LEC this year. It’s my dream to join the LEC or LCS and compete with the best players from my region. I’m very confident I will be able to achieve this in 2021.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Pretty: Thanks for the interview, I hope people enjoy reading it.
Also, I’d like to say a massive thanks to my fans, the people who support me no matter what. I love you guys!
