Esport MeFaZe's JBOEN: Major safety brings calm before Beijing test against FURIA
With a Major berth already secured, FaZe return to tier-one play at IEM Beijing facing PGL Masters champions FURIA, and sniper JBOEN tells HLTV the pressure has eased without disappearing.
FaZe will open IEM Beijing against FURIA, who arrive fresh from winning PGL Masters, in what marks the Danish-anchored roster's first appearance against a top-tier field since the Esports World Cup.
According to HLTV, FaZe spent much of the Fall season away from tier-one competition, with their only outings coming at EWC and at FISSURE Playground 3, an event missing several of the strongest teams. Their Major spot was already locked in before the Beijing trip.
Speaking to HLTV on media day, Jason "JBOEN" Boe Nielsen said that security has changed the mood heading into the event, giving the team "more peace in our heads" while he still arrives wanting to win the tournament outright.
He added that the pressure to chase ranking points has eased, though the team's ambitions have not softened to match. Qualification means FaZe can afford to relax mentally, he said, even if winning remains the goal.
Facing FURIA as an opener does not concern him despite the Brazilian side's recent form. He said the standard of opponent does not change how he approaches the game, and that beating top teams is simply part of improving, calling the prospect of facing better sides "more exciting" rather than daunting.
Comparing his time with FaZe to the tier-two circuit he competed on with previous teams, JBOEN pointed to the structure around him now, saying the team, coaching staff and overall setup are all stronger than what he had before, which has brought him greater confidence rather than a different type of competition.
On his own progress, he credited the squad's more experienced players, saying the team has put significant focus on his development and that playing so many events together has also strengthened the group's cohesion.
Settling into a team with tier-one expectations has not been straightforward, he said, describing the adjustment as a heavy grind of hours on and off the server working with the coach to correct mistakes.
Asked about comments Twistzz made at Tesla Cup regarding lifting the team's mood, JBOEN described a dip after EWC, when results away from the game were enjoyable but in-game mistakes left players frustrated and in their own heads.
He said the atmosphere has since improved, crediting a specific teammate for driving that change. "I definitely think that me and Neityu are also included in trying to give a better mood, but Russ is definitely doing a way better job at trying to make the team more happy and enjoy it even more. So I feel like it's way more fun and nicer to play now."
JBOEN said he had experienced worse situations with past teams, which made the frustrating stretch after EWC easier to absorb than it might otherwise have been.