FaZe players shared honest thoughts about internal struggles, broky’s return, their first victories, and the painful playoff exit at IEM Cologne 2025. The team opened up about pressure, their “DNA,” roles, and the importance of mental strength in their latest vlog.

Before the matches, captain Finn “karrigan” Andersen reflected on how setbacks can reveal what the team really needs.

I mean, when you're in a team and Frank goes bad, you know, everybody's getting down on rabbit hole mean, including everybody in the team. There are certain things he needs to figure out and we need to figure out as a team as well. I needed to see the team without help is by removing a player, you see what he brings to the team but also what things you can work on and I could direct a little bit.
Finn “karrigan” Andersen

Helvijs "broky" Saukants admitted he questioned his own role in the team’s issues.

I don't know if I was the problem, maybe at the time I was, you know, maybe I needed the break to fix being the problem, but I don't think the problem disappeared, you know?
Helvijs "broky" Saukants

Karrigan explained why he felt it was the right moment to bring broky back after the disappointment at the Major.

Obviously the tournament doesn't go as planned at the major. Sasha gives something else to to face down, but I'm not sure that's what exactly needed at at this point. I could feel after the major that I lacked the hilarious I know the most, especially the majors in the big tournaments. Things we said before he took his break, he really took it in and has been really self reflective and in my stomach. I felt we needed to give Helvijs [broky] a chance again.
Finn “karrigan” Andersen

Håvard "rain" Nygaard joked about broky’s physical change after his return.

He basically lost half of himself when he came back cause he his face and his skull was the cycle like when he joined the team and I was like where did the other part of you go, you know?
Håvard "rain" Nygaard

In a team talk after the break, karrigan stressed the importance of identity and consistency.

I started the team talk after the player break and discussing with the team, the DNA and the comps we want to have and not so much the outcome at the Cologne, but trying to find out DNA, team synergy, team energy is very important. You need to think about what you can do on a consistent level as a team. I think in the past we have tried too much to kind of adapt to the game constantly and we always in the moment of feeling everything and I like to be there. But you still need to rely on DNA as a team and that's what we want to try. We have to stick with it.
Finn “karrigan” Andersen

Rain described his current role as highly flexible.

I think my role differs from map to map. I wouldn't say I'm full lurk or full entry for sure. I'm playing very much of flex roll at the moment.
Håvard "rain" Nygaard

Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski highlighted changes in his positions on Nuke.

The only change that I made, like positionally, is going back to inner on Nuke. I think that I can feel the game a little bit more. I mean, I was pretty much calling the same way that Howie was on outside because that's like what the team was used to. So it was something I wasn't very comfortable playing with as well. We didn't really feel like we were getting better results. And how he has more chemistry with the bookie.
Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski

After their first win in Cologne, rain noted how the break helped broky.

Broky getting a slap on the wrist, whatever you call it. I think it's been good for him. The energy that he brings, the mood that he brings, all that stuff is so important and I think he's doing a really good job. It feels like a new player on the team. He's really taking the time away from the server to actually work on things that was needed and it feels very nice so far.
Håvard "rain" Nygaard

Broky himself responded with a bit of humor.

I don't know, I guess they missed me. That's what they keep saying, so hopefully they're not lying. Team Liquid taking on face clean in what could be a very, very.
Helvijs "broky" Saukants

Before the decider against Liquid, EliGE echoed the same line.

I don't know, I guess they missed me. That's what they keep saying, so hopefully they're not lying. Team Liquid taking on face clean in what could be a very, very.
Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski

After beating Liquid, EliGE explained how their game plan paid off.

Our game plan put me in spots where I think that we read them well, I knew like where they were gonna be. Shot them hard and yeah, we just kind of smashed them.
Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski

Karrigan also shared his thoughts.

That was the best they were so like many things click but also we got challenged and other maps where we didn't follow. But then we went back to the things we talked about on 3rd map and and built the thing to win the game.
Finn “karrigan” Andersen

Before the crucial series against NAVI, both David "frozen" Čerňanský and karrigan admitted the team struggled with belief.

Not much change in terms of preparation, you know, but maybe something changed in terms of mental, like you need to believe that you can win even before you enter the server or you're gonna win. Coming to the Navy game, maybe we're saying things, but we were not really saying it like we believe in this. I could feel the tension already when we were starting doing the huddle before the game and I don't know why.

Karrigan also commented this match.

Not much change in terms of preparation, you know, but maybe something changed in terms of mental, like you need to believe that you can win even before you enter the server or you're gonna win. Coming to the Navy game, maybe we're saying things, but we were not really saying it like we believe in this. I could feel the tension already when we were starting doing the huddle before the game and I don't know why.
Finn “karrigan” Andersen

After failing to reach playoffs, karrigan admitted he was deeply disappointed.

Ohh all I'm just disappointed and more likely also because of his missed portico the end of the year and then now some listening missing dances. Arena is it's tough. You know, That's what I play for basically most important thing is like we had a team talk. I wanted to be sure when we became this term and followed up a specific, specific way we agreed on playing on the awful moments is when we don't really follow it the DNA to fully and and just losing on the terms we want to play. And that's why I'm I'm feeling those disappointed as a team, even when the game gets tough, we just have to follow what we agreed on. I would say the face friends be off, you steps behind, but maybe next 12 minutes to step forward and we have to keep thinking like that.
Finn “karrigan” Andersen

Frozen also expressed his opinion

We just failed as a team, you know, We failed as individuals. That's what was missing at the end of the day, you know?
David "frozen" Čerňanský

Rain reminded fans that FaZe has always found a way back.

Every time we've been down in the in the rankings, whatever has been, we've always managed to rise up somehow and there's going to be a way out. Trust me guys, we're going to get back. Just give us a little more time. Just one more star player signing. [Laughs]
Håvard "rain" Nygaard