Faruk Pita: Sweden's Counter-Strike Team Gears Up for EM in Kosovo

The European Championship in Kosovo is about to begin. Although the tournament has yet to attract the biggest names, it is moving in the right direction. "It feels more real now," says national team coach Faruk Pita.

Faruk Pita, one of Sweden's most prominent Counter-Strike coaches, took the job as coach for Eyeballers in January.

Now, the team will form Sweden's national team for this summer's European Championship in Pristina, and Pita will suddenly also become the national team coach.

"It feels very interesting and incredibly fun to represent Sweden. Especially considering that we have joined the National Sports Federation, it feels like everything around the federation has become more serious," he says.

Previously, anyone could organize a national team tournament and call it the "European Championship" or "World Championship." Now, he believes it has reached a new level of professionalism and structure than before.

"It feels more real now, so it feels extra significant."

National team championships are still emerging in CS, and they do not yet attract the biggest names. Pita is one of those who dreams of one day seeing championships where the biggest stars represent their countries.

Especially in the current reality, where international club teams are the new norm.

Since Pita became part of Eyeballers, problem-solving has topped the agenda, and a key part of that work is the new acquisition, Kalle "Ro1f" Johansson.

"I would call him a player who glues the whole team together. Everyone has their positions and roles they prefer, and in my experience, it is incredibly difficult to find five players who get their perfect positions on every map. Having a player who can always adapt regardless of the situation helps tremendously. He is incredibly selfless," says the national team coach.

The European Championship in Pristina, Kosovo, begins on July 9, and for once, Sweden does not enter the tournament with the pressure of being favorites.

"This is probably the toughest European Championship so far, I would say, if you look at the other teams. Germany is sending their absolute best team, Big, and several other countries are doing the same. So competitively, it has become tougher. So it's probably the first time Sweden goes in as underdogs, and I think it suits us," says Faruk Pita.

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