d1monn: Hello, could you tell us about yourself a bit? What you're doing and etc.
M19|KALbI4: My name is Alexander Gribov and I play in team M19 more than year, almost from the beginning when the team was formed. I'm studying in the business institute in the first course. Spending my free time by going to various clubs and have a good time with my friends...

d1monn: Your team is the best team in Russia for two years. And on all russian tourneys your level of playing is a lot higher than any of your oppponents. Not to note the fact that you weren't parcitipaing in WCG 2001 last year. What's the secret?
M19|KALbI4: Most probably, the secret is that all of us are very focused during the large scale tourneys. We don't participate in small tourneys because we don't see any sense being there. Prize funds aren't big and you won't get much experience playing with lamers there... The secret is that we do lots of practicing before any major tourney.

d1monn: Could you tell us your impressions of WCG RU 2002? What were the good points, what weren't? Probably you could remember something funny?
M19|KALbI4: The impressions are positive, of course... That's the largest tourney in whole Russia, where all the strongest Russian players are gathered under one roof. There were more positives than negavites in the tourney. I didn't actually notice the negatives. The only big thing that I didn't like is the man that ran the closing ceremony and how he ran it. But that's the only negative thing I noticed. I've seen many old friends again and spent great time with them. Will never forget noBap, who often comes to us here in Peterburg. He's always cheerful and we always have fun with him. There are many other people I've seen at WCG that I can't even count them all.

d1monn: What do you think, is there a major competition in Russia CS-wise? What lies in the way for all gamers that blocks them to gain more skills?
M19|KALbI4: The level of play had gained a lot comparing to last year, that's clearly visible. About the competition - many people think that we've easily take the win over Arctica*Queen team, but it wasn't that easy as it looked like. The opposing team is very well formed and is able to show high class gaming. There are many other teams that can perform great, such like Unt1, c58, Z.Nova, xc6, and not to forget great forZe. By the way, I've liked the way the Yakutstk team had played, I've seen [BAD]Green playing for that team. The most problematic thing for regional teams is that they don't have anyone to play with to gain more skills. For example, in Nijnii Novgorod the local team (Z. Nova) doesn't have anyone to match their level, so they can't gain it any higher. So, the only solution to that problem would be internet, but everyone knows how great internet in Russia is...

d1monn: Would you define the TOP 10 of Russian CS players?
M19|KALbI4: 1 - M19|NooK, 2 - Aq|KaLBaCA, 3 - M19|Rado, 4 - Unt1|Woodzy, 5 - Aq|Vahha, 6 - Aq|Hercules, 7 - Unt1|Vortex, 8 - M19|MadFan, 9 - forZe|host, 10 - xc6|CaHek... Not everyone I know with their level could fit in Top10...

d1monn: What do you think of our counterstrike c58 team? Have you seen their game?
M19|KALbI4: I think that the team could be a good one if they would be practicing hard. The third place actually could be taken by Unt1 - they look to be stronger. It's just that c58 was lucky with the grid =). But to be honest, I would advice them not to kick each other on everyday basis. A team is a good team if they dosen't change the roster every month.

d1monn: What plans do you have with M19 perfomance at WCG 2002 finals? What goals do you think you can reach?
M19|KALbI4: About the finals, we're starting to practice right from monday (only having one week to relax). Our plans are, of course, to win. Seriously though we would want to perform there at least normally. We're just fed up with losing every time. We can reach what we will manage to reach. Time will tell.

d1monn: What do you think, does M19 have any internal problems that would need to be fixed? What maps you don't play well? Aiming, tactics?
M19|KALbI4: We don't have any major problems here, but I personally would like to get a better aiming. We aren't good at it yet. In tactics field we would like to thank NooK who usually doesn't sleep at night and constantly comes with new ideas. Maps where we are weak I won't tell, that's a secret =)

d1monn: Is there someone who had helped you with getting at the level you are now, or you've managed everything yourself?
M19|KALbI4: Of course I've managed everything myself, but without some people I would never visit a computer club where all of that had started. First time I was dragged in by nc.BoBZiLLa to the club, where we were playing q2... Then Counter-Strike had appeared and we've formed a team with 5 players - all of us were in the same school and going to the same classes. ComaR was also in the team, who plays for Arctica*Queen now.

d1monn: What else u're fond of besides CS?
M19|KALbI4: =))) I love girls, music, and absolutely no drugs!!! :P

d1monn: What team do you like outside of Russia? Will you be participating in EuroCup 6?
M19|KALbI4: The best are sk.sca of course, but other teams play pretty well too - mousesports, infernum, mtw and many more. Probably we'll be participating in EC6. But everything's not clear atm.

d1monn: And did you like PGChallenge 2002?
M19|KALbI4: My Prague impressions are quite bright regarding the city, but the tourney wasn't that good. The level of organization was very poor and we didn't receive the money yet... 500 bucks are still money in any way.

d1monn: Have a good luck in Korea, hope that I'll be going there with you =)
M19|KALbI4: Thanks, we hope you'll come and have a drink! :)