Over its roster’s involvement in Rainbow Six, MIBR has not exactly lit the world alight except on a handful of occasions. By and large, the team has struggled to make its mark and has only been to the Pro League Finals twice -- in Seasons 8 and 9 -- but was knocked out in the first round at both events. While in Season 8 the team lost 0-2 to the marauding G2 Esports en-route to a record year in Rainbow Six, Season 9 was another 0-2 loss but to eventual second-placed Evil Geniuses -- a tough but not impregnable opponent.
At the Majors, MIBR’s record has been even more woeful. At the Six Major Paris, the team returned home without a win, while the Six Invitational 2019 saw the team still miss out on the playoffs despite a win. The Six Major Raleigh -- the first for the team under the MIBR banner -- was especially poor. There, MIBR struggled to even beat a NORA-Rengo roster not only sinking, but also having to play without its best player, needing the coach with no competitive experience to step in.
MIBR at the OGA PIT Minor.
Nevertheless, there is an air of excitement around MIBR despite its past struggles and it is not at all unfounded. After a dismal Season 10 of the Pro League where the team barely survived relegation, the Brazilians roared to life in the LATAM qualifiers for the OGA PIT Minor finishing first in the online tournament. Then headed to Split, Croatia, the team truly came to life for the first time in its history. A boot camp prior to the event worked wonders and G2 Esports and Spacestation Gaming both fell -- though Team Liquid and a second game against Spacestation proved too much.
Now headed to Montreal, things are looking up. Despite the team being only in fifth place at the halfway mark of Season 11 of the Pro League, MIBR is actually only three points behind the league leaders of Ninjas in Pyjamas and Team Liquid. With another boot camp prior to the Invitational, fans are expecting a strong performance and a playoffs appearance.
To know more about the MIBR preparation, SiegeGG spoke to caster-turned-MIBR coach, Guilherme “Guille” Scalfi:
With two of three opponents in your group from LATAM, do you think you have a particular advantage or disadvantage?
I think that the only advantage is the fact that we know the LATAM play style. They are strong teams.
Much has been said about the seeding process for the groups. Does your team have any gripes with it? Should there have been a cap on the number of teams from one region?
It’s sad that three LATAM teams are in the same group, because you delete the chance of more LATAM teams in the playoffs. It would be very good to have just one team by region in a group.
How do you think that the double-elimination playoffs will change the dynamic of the event, and what is your opinion of the one-map advantage in the grand final?
This is a good system. We had played it during the OGA PIT Minor and it seems more competitive and fair. But, I think that Ubisoft should try a Swiss-system tournament, because it was nice to watch the Allied Esports last year.
Your team struggled greatly for a long time after Season 8. What was the issue, and how has your team been turning things around?
The team was in a good spot and when we got the first draw and loss (in the first week of Season 10), things went bad... We focused on a solution and worked as a team to get out of this slump. Just to point out, that the Croatia boot camp was very good to help reinforce our unity as a team.
Despite the stunning upset over G2 Esports and a win against SSG, your team has not enjoyed the best of times in the Pro League this season. What has been the difference there?
Guille at the OGA PIT Minor. The difference there is the Best-of-Three (at the OGA PIT Minor). In a Best-of-One (in the Pro League), it’s more punitive and any mistake can ruin the result.
What is the goal for your team at this event?
As all teams, we want the title. But, if we get the playoffs, it would be a great breakthrough.
Do you have anything else to say to your fans?
Just want to thank you guys. We were supported in our bad moments and the crowd was amazing. Even against G2, we had people cheering for us!
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MIBR plays Giants Gaming in Group C first, with matches against either Team Liquid or Ninjas in Pyjamas scheduled afterwards. Check back here at SiegeGG for more Invitational Insights and full coverage of the event as it comes.