The 2020 Overwatch League season is a just under a month away and the London Spitfire is about to join the leagues other 19 teams as thry embark on a season long journey across the United States and Europe.
The journey will see them play in multiple countries and cities as the league's new homestand format comes into play. For London, the journey they have taken this off season has been a worrying one for the teams fans. It's a fresh new start for the team after they moved away from their 2018 winning roster and towards a new system that not only looks to a young roster with plenty of potential but to an experienced coaching staff who will be able to support and look to nourish this new and talented roster.
The journey will see them play in multiple countries and cities as the league's new homestand format comes into play. For London, the journey they have taken this off season has been a worrying one for the teams fans. It's a fresh new start for the team after they moved away from their 2018 winning roster and towards a new system that not only looks to a young roster with plenty of potential but to an experienced coaching staff who will be able to support and look to nourish this new and talented roster.
In 2020, AcesHigh will be a two-part series that allows you to get to know both the Spitfire's coaching and playing staff as they participate in the third season of the Overwatch League. In episode one, I have spoken to Agape, SNT, Pavane and Twinkl to obtain their views of the season to come.
First of all, congratulations Agape on becoming the Spitfire's Head coach and welcome to the London Spitfire Pavane, SNT and Twinkl. For those of the fan base who don't know you. Can you introduce yourselves and which teams you came from?
우선, 아가페 감독님, 감독님이 되신걸 축하드리고, 파반, 어썸가이, 트윙클 코치님 런던에 합류하시게 된걸 축하드립니다. 코치님들을 잘 모르는 팬분들을 위해, 간단한 자기소개와 어느 팀에서 활동 하셨었는지 말씀해 주실수 있으신가요?
Agape: 안녕하세요 이번에 런던 스핏파이어 헤드코치에 임명된 아가페라고 합니다.
Hello, I am Agape, the new head coach of London Spitfire.
Awesomeguy: 안녕하세요 저는 한국 1세대 오버워치 프로게이머이며 팀 LW, Meta Athena, Florida Mayhem 에서 1,2시즌동안 메인탱커로 플레이해왔습니다. 오버워치 리그 시즌2 이후로 코치로 전향하게되어 이번에 스핏파이어에 합류하게 되었습니다.
Hello, I am Awesomeguy, or SNT, an assistant coach at London Spitfire. Formerly, I played professionally as a Main Tank player for LW, Meta Athena, and Florida Mayhem throughout season 1 and 2. This year, I’ve made the decision to switch over to coaching, and have been given a great opportunity at Spitfire.
Pavane: 안녕하세요! 이번에 어시스턴트 코치로 런던에 합류하게 된 Pavane이라고 합니다. 저는 LW라는 오버워치 팀에서 코치 커리어를 시작하였고 그 후에 오버워치 리그에 오게 되면서 NYXL에서 헤드코치로 2시즌 지냈습니다
Hello, I am Pavane, an assistant coach at London Spitfire. I began my Overwatch career on LW, and once I joined the Overwatch League, I was the head coach of NYXL for two seasons.
Twinkl: 안녕하세요 이번에 런던 스핏파이어에 합류하게된 Twinkl라고합니다. 저는 선수시절에 메인힐러 역할로서 아마추어 대회부터 준수한 성적으로 경력을 쌓으며 에이펙스에서는 bk stars의 멤버로 활동하였고 코치로서는 일본 국가대표팀을 코칭하였습니다.
Hello, I am Twinkl, an assistant coach at London Spitfire. I have been playing main support since I was participating in amateur tournaments, and was on BK Stars in Apex. I have also coached Japan’s OWWC team.
The 2020 coaching staff is the biggest that the Spitfire have ever had (outside of the brief period in stage 1 season 1) what are your roles within the coaching staff and how will this translate into helping the team?
시즌1 스테이지1을 제외하면 런던 코칭스태프의 규모가 현재 가장 큰데, 각 코치분들의 역할이 어떻게 되고, 이를 팀을 성장시키는데 어떻게 활용하실 계획이신가요?
Agape: 제가 결정하는 하나의 방향성 아래 세부적인 부분들을 역할 분담을 하여 도와주고 계십니다.
각각의 코치님들의 장점들과 역할을 과거에 익히 알고 있었기에 충분히 활용하고자 합니다.
Under the general direction that I decide and set up for the team, each coach has been helping with the more detailed areas, in a systematic fashion. I am familiar with each coach’s strengths and experiences and plan to utilize these as much as possible.
Agape, what was your vision when building this coaching staff and what was it about each assistant coach that made you want them on your staff?
아가페 감독님, 이 코칭 스태프를 모집하는데에 어떤 비전이 있으셨나요? 코치들 개개인의 어떤 면이 마음에 들어서 모집을 하셨나요?
Agape: 게임을 정말 순수하게 사랑하고 열정이 가득해야 한다는 점을 가장 큰 기준점으로 삼았습니다.
My primary criteria when choosing assistant coaches was to find coaches that truly have a passion for the game, and a strong drive to create a winning team.
Looking at the announced 12 man roster, there are players that you have brought in, that European and North American fans may not know in Although, Babel, Clestyn, Jihun and Sanguinar. What did each player show in trials for you to sign them?
12맨 로스터를 보면, 특히 바벨, 올도우, 클레스틴, 지훈, 생귀나르 선수를 잘 모르는 서양팬들이 많을텐데, 각 선수가 테스팅 기간동안 어떤 모습을 보여줘서 뽑게 되었나요?
Agape: 성장 가능성과 열정을 가장 큰 기준점으로 삼았습니다.
Each of these players showed great potential and a strong competitive drive. We picked them up to develop them as much as we can as team players.
Awesomeguy:일단 모든 선수가 테스트할 당시에 기존 리그선수들과 경쟁해도 밀리지않는 모습들을 보여줬습니다. 바벨 선수는 테스트과정에서 히트스캔 영웅을 다룰때 빛나는 모습들을 많이 보여줬고, 올도우 선수는 메타에 맞는 영웅들을 잘다루며 테스트 기간동안에도 엄청 빠른 성장속도를 보여주었기에 뽑게되었습니다. 클레스틴 선수는 모든 탱커영웅들을 밸런스있게 잘 다루는 모습을 보여주었고, 지훈 선수는 코리안 아멩으로 불릴수 있을만큼 레킹볼 플레이가 인상적이였고 앞으로의 성장 기대치가 높아 뽑게되었습니다. 마지막으로 생귀나르 선수는 어린나이임에도 베테랑 메인힐러 선수들에게 꿀리지않을 좋은오더와 루시우플레이를 보여줬습니다. 이 다섯선수들 모두 어린 선수들이며 좋은 마인드와 열정, 앞으로의 성장 기대치가 높아보여 뽑게되었습니다.
All five of the lesser-known players have shown moments during their tryouts that rival current OWL veterans. Babel has shone a lot while playing hitscan heroes, while Although was talented at handling the current meta heroes and displayed an accelerated rate of growth. Clestyn was able to handle all tank heroes with balance, and Jihun is good enough on Wrecking Ball to be given the nickname Korean Ameng, and has shown a very high ceiling on most other heroes he played during the tryouts. As for Sanguinar, despite his young age, he is making great shot calls in-game, as well as great Lucio mechanics. These five players were hand-picked by the coaching staff for their receptiveness to constructive criticism, passion, and willingness to develop further as a better player.
Pavane: 제 개인적으로는 물론 현재의 기량도 중요했지만 테스트에 임하는 자세와 성실함, 열정을 우선적으로 봤습니다.
While individual mechanics were incredibly important in picking these players up, we prioritized their attitude towards practice, sincerity, and drive.
Twinkl: 전체적으로 아마추어 선수다보니 기본 피지컬적인 부분을 많이 참고하며 감독님께 의견을 제시했습니다. 또한 평소에 얼마나 오버워치를 열정적으로 플레이하는가,자신만의
무기(특수픽,콜아웃등)과 과거 팀이 있던 선수들은 팀에 있을때의 모습또한 확인하였습니다.
As most of these players are from an amateur background, the assistant coaches presented our opinion on their mechanics to Agape. We also made sure to find out how passionate they were about Overwatch, what their former teammates thought of them, and if they had their own special colour when playing the game, such as a speciality hero pick or particular plays.
After a complete rebuild from the roster that won the league in 2018, analysts and fans have looked at the team for 2020 as an upgrade in the coaching staff but downgrade on the players. When looking at the entire roster, what was it that you were all looking to build?
2018년도 챔피언십 로스터와 현재 로스터를 비교했을때, 많은 분석가들이 코칭스태프 면에서는 업그레이드이지만, 선수로스터 면에서는 다운그레이드라고 생각하고 있습니다. 현 로스터를 모집할때 어떤 팀을 만들고자하는 목적으로 모집을 하셨나요?
Agape: 팀 보다 위대한 개인은 없다라는 모토 아래에 코칭스태프의 올바른 방향성과 관리만 있다면, 어떤 선수가 와도 만들어 낼 수 있다는 자신감이 있었습니다.
노력 없이 얻을수 있는 결과물은 없습니다. 우승이라는 최고의 목표를 바랍니다. 그에 걸맞는, 자격이 되는 구성원이 되었으면 합니다.
Under the new direction of the team that emphasizes that there is no individual greater than the team, and great leadership from a competitive coaching staff, I believe any player can be lead to greatness. Overwatch is a game where your efforts are directly reflected in your results. We are hoping for a championship, the highest honour a team can achieve throughout a season. And as a part of that team, I want each player to become a player that is rightfully qualified to be a member of Spitfire.
Awesomeguy: 계속 성장하면서 최종에는 시즌 우승을 할수있는 팀이 될수 있도록 로스터를 모집했습니다. 그러기 위해서 현재 실력뿐만 아니라 앞으로의 성장기대치, 선수들의 마인드와 열정 부분들을 중심적으로 보고 모집하게 되었습니다
We constructed a roster that can continue to develop, and eventually become the champions. And with that in mind, not only did we look at the individual skill level, but we also heavily weighed potential, mindset, and drive.
Pavane: 선수를 모집할 때 개개인의 재능보다는 팀으로서의 합이 더 중요하다고 생각했고 이에 맞는 선수들을 뽑았습니다.
We prioritized teamwork over individual skill, and have chosen our roster based on this motto.
Twinkl: 멤버들을 모집할때 피지컬또한 중요하나 그것 뭇지않게 중요시생각한것은 얼마나 노력하며 열정적인지를 많이 확인하였습니다. 아무래도 아마추어선수다보니 제가 알려줄수 있는 부분도 많다고 생각하였기에 열심히 따라와줄수 있는 선수들 위주로 의견을 제시했습니다.
While mechanical prowess and individual skill were important, we placed an equal amount of importance in diligence and work ethic. I believed there was much that I could teach these players given their Contenders and below background, and therefore recommended players that I thought I could help the most in improving.
As a coaching staff, what are you expecting from the London Spitfire this season and where do you guys expect to finish at the end of the regular season?
코칭스태프로서 이번시즌 런던의 기대값이 어떻게 되는것 같고, 정규시즌 종료가 임박할때 까지의 목표가 어떻게 되나요?
Agape: 이번 런던스핏파이어의 목표는 당연히 우승입니다.
The goal of London Spitfire this year is, of course, to become the Season 3 Champions.
Awesomeguy: 저희 모든 코칭스테프와 선수들의 최종 목표는 무조건 리그 우승입니다. 그러므로 일단 첫 목표는 플레이오프 진출입니다.
The final goal of all our coaching staff and players is to win the season. Therefore, our first goal is to make the playoffs.
Pavane: 당연히 우승을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
Of course, our goal is to win the season.
Twinkl:이번시즌 기대값은 우승이라고 생각하며 초반에는 질 수도있겠지만 정규시즌 종료전에는 플레이오프에 갈 수 있을거라 생각하며, 그거에 걸맞게 여러 전략이나 개인 피지컬 향상을 위한 시스템을 준비중입니다.
I believe our expectation is set at season victory. We may lose some matches during the earlier stages of the season, but we will be able to make playoffs by the regular season comes to an end, and we are preparing systematic approaches to ensure that a variety of strategic and mechanical improvements can be implemented to each of our players.
Which team are you all most excited to play against and what is the reason for this?
이번시즌 가장 기대되는 상대팀이 어느팀이고, 왜 그팀인지 간단하게 설명 부탁드리겠습니다.
Agape: 없습니다.
There are none in particular.
Awesomeguy: Mayhem이 기대됩니다. 제가 소속되어있던 팀이였기도 하고, 이번에 좋은 코치들과 선수들이 합류했고 연습량도 많은걸로 알고있어서 시즌3에서 저희팀을 제외하고 가장 기대되는 팀입니다.
I am excited to play Florida Mayhem. Not only are they my former team, but some very talented coaches and players have joined their ranks, and to my knowledge, they are practising really hard as well. It’s one of the teams other than Spitfire that I’m most looking forward to in Season 3.
Pavane: 아무래도 지난 시즌 우승 팀 쇼크가 가장 기대 됩니다. 그만큼 강팀이기에 이기고 싶어요.
It would have to be San Francisco Shock. They are the current reigning champions, and a formidable opponent, which makes them that much more of a target.
Twinkl: 아무래도 샌프란시스코 쇼크입니다 전시즌 우승팀이며 어느 메타에도 강한 모습을 보여줬기때문입니다.
San Francisco Shock is my personal pick. As the reigning champions, they have shown strength in every meta that they have faced.
What are your thoughts on the league now going global and the effect that travelling constantly will have on the players? Have you set up any plans to prevent burn out?
리그의 글로벌화와 잦은 여행이 선수들에게 어떠한 영향을 끼칠거라 생각하시나요? 선수들의 번아웃에 대비하기 위해 세우신 계획이 있으신가요?
Agape: 대회 당일날 컨디션이 승패에 큰 열쇠가 될거 같습니다.
선수들이 항상 최상의 컨디션을 유지할수 있게 모든 방면에서 준비 중에 있습니다.
One of the key conditions will likely be the physical and mental condition of the players on each match day. We’re doing everything we can do prepare for the travels, and ensure that each player can maintain high-performance conditions every day.
Awesomeguy: 일단 선수들이 번아웃 하지 않도록 일정 조율을 최대한 효율적으로 할 예정이며, 저희 12인 로스터는 이부분에 있어서 가장 큰 장점이 있다고 생각합니다.
We are planning to make our schedule as efficient as possible to prevent player burnout, and our 12 man roster will become a great asset in this regard.
Pavane: 네 저희가 12인 로스터 다 채운 이유 중에 큰 이유중 하나이지 않을까 싶네요.
Yes, travel will become a source of lethargy eventually, and it’s one of the reasons why we formed a 12 man roster.
Twinkl: 이번시즌은 런던이 리그팀중에서 비행기간이 제일 긴데 그 중 큰 걱정은 체력적인 면을 걱정하고있습니다. 팀에서는 최대한 선수가 체력적으로 힘들지 않도록 숙소를 준비중이며 현재 부트캠프가 최고의 환경을 제공하듯이 현지 숙소또한 선수들이 불편하지 않도록 많이 알아보며 준비중입니다. 또한 번아웃을 미리 예방하고자 주기적으로 컨디션을 체크하며 선수 한명한명 놓치지 않기위해 모인 감독님과 코치3명이라고 생각합니다.
This coming season, Spitfire has one of the most rigorous travel schedules, and the toll it will take on the players is definitely a cause of concern for us. We are preparing player lodging and practising environments that will minimize fatigue, and as the current C9 Bootcamp facility in Korea is providing with them with the best possible conditions, we are looking into a lot of options to make sure they are comfortable in our base of operations as well. Moreover, in order to prevent and prepare for burnout, we are regularly checking in with each player. This is an important aspect for all four of us Spitfire coaches.
What are you all expecting from the fans attending the Birmingham and London homestands?
버밍햄과 런던 홈스탠드에 경기를 직관하러 오는 팬분들이 어떨거라고 기대하고 계신가요?
Agape: 재작년 우승이후 런던에 방문했을때 많은 팬분들을 만나보았고, 놀라운 경험을 했었습니다. 다시 방문하게 되어 너무 기쁘고 빨리 찾아 뵙고 싶습니다.
Two years ago, our visit to London truly opened my eyes to the amount of love we get from our local fans. I am incredibly excited to be able to finally play in front of them and to bring them the wins.
Awesomeguy: 선수로서 활동할때에도 현지팬들과 만나는건 항상 좋은 추억이었습니다. 이번 런던 현지팬들과 만나는것도 정말기대되고 저희가 좋은모습을 보여줘서 팬분들이 열정적으로 응원해주길 기대하고있습니다.
Back when I was still playing professionally, meeting the local fans were always some of the best moments. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans in London, and I hope that we can return their affection with performance on stage.
Pavane: 제가 저번 시즌 애틀란타 홈스탠드와 LA 홈스탠드에 참가했을 때 팬분들의 열정적인 응원을 직접 보고 매우 감동받았고 홈팀들이 홈팬들의 응원을 직접 눈 앞에서 받는게 부러웠습니다. 이번에 런던과 버밍햄에서 열릴 2번의 홈스탠드 경기 매우 기대하고 있고 그만큼 실망시켜드리지 않게 노력하겠습니다!
Last season, I participated in the Atlanta and Los Angeles homestands and was really touched by the heated cheer of the audience. Seeing the local fans show up to cheer for their hometown representatives with my own eyes filled me with a sort of envy. Our two Homestands this season in both London and Birmingham are the two things I look forward to most this entire season, and we promise that we won’t disappoint!
Twinkl:홈스탠드 경기는 매우 기대중입니다. 홈경기인만큼 런던에 많이 관심이 있는 팬분들이 와줄거라 생각하며 저희를 목소리 높혀 응원해주실거라 믿고있습니다
I am really looking forward to the homestands. As our first home games, I believe a lot of fans will come to cheer for us and look forward to impressing them and making them fall even more in love with Spitfire.
What British food you are going to try when you are over here?
영국에 왔을때 어떤 음식이 가장 기대되시나요?
Agape: 재작년 방문 했을때 이미 영국 대표 음식들을 많이 경험하고 왔습니다.
이번에는 최대한 많은 팬분들을 봽고 싶네요!
Personally, I have experienced the local British cuisine a lot during our 2018 Gilded Gala visit. This time, I want to focus on meeting the fans and interacting with them in person.
Awesomeguy:생선요리를 좋아해서 피쉬앤칩스가 가장 기대됩니다.
I really like fish in general, so I’m looking forward to the ‘real’ fish n chips.
Pavane: 피쉬앤칩스가 가장 기대되네요! 몇년 전에 영국 여행을 했을 때 피쉬앤칩스를 안먹어서 매우 아쉬웠습니다.
Fish n chips will have to be my pick. A few years back, I visited the UK on a leisure visit but missed out on Fish n chips. I won’t be missing it this time around.
Twinkl: 영국은 로스트 비프가 유명하기에 꼭 한번 접해보고싶습니다
I am really looking forward to the famous British roast beef dishes.
Finally, do you have anything you would like to say to the Spitfire fans cheering for the team this year?
마지막으로 스핏파이어를 열심히 응원해 주시는 팬분들께 한마디 부탁드리겠습니다.
Agape: 안녕하세요 헤드코치로써 처음으로 팀을 이끄는 만큼 그동안의 노하우를 바탕으로 최고의 팀이 될수 있도록 최선을 다하겠습니다.
I will be using everything in my disposal, including all the knowledge and experience I have gained over the past few years, to lead this team into becoming the best in the League.
Awesomeguy:이번에 새로운 로스터로 시작하게 되었지만, 시즌1,2 동안 보여준 모습에 못지않게 더 좋은모습을 보여드리도록 노력하겠습니다 감사합니다.
We have a brand new roster this season, but we will make sure that their performance will not be overshadowed by the Spitfire of the past.
Pavane: 현재 런던팀은 런던과 관련 없는 한국인에다 대부분 무명의 선수로 구성되어 있어 걱정이 많으시겠지만 예상을 뒤엎는 경기력으로 응원에 보답하겠습니다. 많은 응원 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다!
I understand that the fans may be concerned by the fact that the current iteration of Spitfire consists mostly of lesser-known Korean players, but we would like to reinstate your faith in us through match performances that greatly exceed any expectations. Please continue cheering for us in Season 3, thank you!
Twinkl: 항상 스핏파이어를 응원해주시는 팬분들에게 감사드립니다. 응원도 해주시며 우려의 목소리또한 표해주신 분들이 많으나, 저희 경기를 통해서 그런 우려를 날려버릴수있게 열심히 준비해보겠습니다.
I would like to thank all of the Spitfire fans that have been cheering for us through thick and thin. While there are voices of concern throughout the Spitfire fandom with our unassuming roster, but we will do our best to blow those expectations away.
The London Spitfire will begin their 2020 season on the road in the first homestand held by the New York Excelsior at the Hammersmith Ballroom, where they will play against New York on February 8th and then the 9th against the Boston Uprising. They will land on home soil on March 26th for the first of London's two homestands at the SSE Arena against the Paris Eternal and follow this up on March 27th against the Toronto Defiant. Finally, the team will return to England on June 6th at the NEC Arena in Birmingham when they face off against the San Francisco Shock and then on the 7th against the Los Angeles Gladiators.
(You can find more Overwatch League related content on Twitter @haloofthoughts)
(Picture Credit: London Spitfire)
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