In an exclusive interview with CEO Mykhailo “Kane” Blahin, the former TNL leader reveals the inside story behind Inner Circle’s sensational debut at ESL Pro League Season 22. Just days after orchestrating the team’s transition to a new organization, Kane’s strategic vision is paying dividends as his Ukrainian squad has secured two crucial victories, positioning themselves one step away from advancing to the next phase of the tournament.
Maintaining a team is quite an expensive pleasure. Unfortunately, we at TNL couldn’t find enough sponsors who would help reduce this financial burden, so we decided to find a new good home for the guys. I’m glad we managed to do it
Young Guns Ready for Battle
The roster now consists entirely of Ukrainian players who represent a new generation of esports talent:
- Viktor “onic” Babiy
- Artem “cairne” Mushynsky
- David “Dawy” Bibyk
- Artem “Flierax” Khioara
- Dmytro “nifee” Tediashvili
- coach Dmytro “jR” Chervak
With an average age hovering around 17-19 years, these young and spirited players bring raw energy and fearless aggression to the server. Kane’s assessment of his young squad reflects their fiery nature:
The guys are on a big adrenaline rush, sometimes they express emotions like that. Actually, they love each other very much.
This emotional intensity translates into passionate gameplay where the Ukrainian youngsters aren’t afraid to express themselves – sometimes even engaging in heated exchanges with each other during matches, showcasing the raw competitive spirit that defines this generation of Ukrainian CS2 talent.
Strategic Leadership Behind the Transition
After the Polish organization Inner Circle fully acquired the Ukrainian TNL team on the eve of the prestigious tournament start, Kane’s leadership became crucial in managing the transition while maintaining team performance. The CEO’s decision-making proved prescient as the team immediately found their rhythm under the new banner, demonstrating that his assessment of the players’ potential was accurate.
Kane’s philosophy toward nurturing young talent becomes evident when discussing the tournament approach: “First and foremost, this is the first highest-level tournament for these guys and we perceive it as a great celebration, where any losses don’t upset us at all.”
Brilliant Debut Against Favorites
The team’s first match under the new flag was against the strong European collective 3DMAX. Despite their underdog status, the young Ukrainians demonstrated character and tactical sophistication, securing a 2:1 victory. The maps played out as follows: Ancient (13:16 in favor of 3DMAX), Nuke (13:9 for Inner Circle), and the decisive Train (13:4 with Inner Circle dominating).
Particularly impressive was the performance on the final Train map, where Inner Circle completely controlled the situation. Kane’s emphasis on individual preparation proved crucial:
Moreover, the guys are in very good individual form, and this is very decisive in modern gaming.
This individual excellence, combined with youthful fearlessness, allowed them to dominate experienced opponents.
Confident Victory Over GamerLegion
The second match against GamerLegion became an even more convincing confirmation of the team’s strength. Inner Circle secured a 2:1 victory, demonstrating dominance on two out of three maps. Match results: Ancient (13:3 in favor of Inner Circle), Overpass (22:20 for GamerLegion after overtime), and the decisive Dust2 (13:1 with a crushing score for the Ukrainians).
Outstanding individual performances came from Dawy with an ADR of 100.7 and cairne with a 1.58 rating . The young players’ ability to maintain composure under pressure impressed even Kane, who noted the difference in tournament atmosphere: “First of all, LAN always differs from online – different mood, different preparation for opponents.”
Behind-the-Scenes Success Formula
Kane’s management style emphasizes recognizing all contributors to success. When discussing tournament expectations, he made sure to acknowledge the unseen heroes: “I would also like to thank the people you don’t see on broadcasts – the team’s coach and analyst, who perform a large volume of work in preparing the team for these games.”
This comprehensive approach to team building reflects Kane’s understanding that young talent needs proper support structure. The CEO’s strategy of treating each success as momentum-building proves effective:
Each success in a local round allows us to develop it into a big impulse.
Looking Ahead with Realistic Optimism
Currently sitting at 2-0 in the group stage, Inner Circle needs just one more victory to advance. Kane’s balanced perspective on what lies ahead reveals his experience: while celebrating current success, he understands the challenges that await against the world’s elite teams.
The CEO’s comprehensive tournament philosophy – treating it as “a great celebration” while maintaining competitive edge – appears perfectly suited for managing a young, talented roster making their first major tournament appearance.
Final Thoughts
Kane’s successful management of Inner Circle’s sensational ESL Pro League Season 22 debut has positioned this young Ukrainian team for a potentially historic achievement. With two victories secured and strategic leadership guiding both the organizational transition and the development of teenage talent, the CEO’s vision of competitive Ukrainian esports is materializing on the international stage through the fearless play of his spirited young roster.
