Top laner Joel “Joel “Irrelevant” Miro Scharoll” Miro Scharoll won plaudits for his 2024 performances on SK Gaming, showing himself as one of the best in his role in the LEC and eventually earning a move to Team BDS. While the team has completed its first task of the season by reaching the Winter playoffs, their 4-5 record is undoubtedly below the team’s own expectations.
After capping off the regular season with a win over Karmine Corp, we spoke to Irrelevant to get his thoughts on BDS’ start to the season.
How nice was it to end the regular season with a win to pick up some momentum heading into Playoffs?
Irrelevant: Yeah, that was kind of our goal for today. I think for the standings, this win didn’t matter too much, but our mindset was just to get, like you said, momentum into playoffs. That’s what we wanted.
Lee Jones: You played against Canna’s Jayce today – a champion that’s quite prevalent right now but one that you haven’t played yet this season.
Is there a reason you’ve not picked it so far? What are your thoughts on the champ?
I think [it’s a] very strong champ in the meta right now. And yeah, I would bring it out as well, I think we just didn’t have the angle for it yet to pick it ourselves.
Lee Jones: Having played so well last year, I imagine you must’ve had a few options to choose from in the off season.
What made you pick BDS to join for 2025?
Irrelevant: Honestly, the biggest thing for me was that I heard a lot of good stuff about the coaching staff; about Striker and MenQ. And honestly, this was probably the biggest thing in my decision to join BDS. I think I’m very happy because my expectations were high for the coaching stuff and they’re doing a really good job. I think I made the right decision.
Image credit: Riot Games
Lee Jones: BDS were a top 2/3 team throughout much of the last couple of years.
Do you think it’s a bit of an underperformance to be in the middle of the pack at the moment, or is it just a case of a fresh roster still working things out?
Irrelevant: I think our score is for sure an underperformance. I think especially Week 2 where we went 0-3 was quite bad. But at the same time, I think we’re improving at a good rate. I think our scrims have been good. And it’s just regular season, losing a game doesn’t matter that much. I think as long as you improve from it and you go strong into playoffs, which I think we will be.
Lee Jones: Your had three wins were against the bottom two teams plus G2 at a point where they were struggling in Week 1.
Was it useful to have a win against a team like Karmine Corp as well?
Irrelevant: Yeah, for sure. Maybe people thought today that it’s like a scheduled win for them, or scheduled loss for us, but none of us like thought like that. I think today we all thought we would win.
Right now people probably think we are worse than we are and it’s up to us now to show that in the playoffs we are better than this.
Lee Jones: Well, heading into the playoffs means the LEC is finally entering Fearless Draft.
Do you think that (Fearless Draft) will suit BDS?
Irrelevant: I’m not entirely sure but I think for me it’s good. I think there are a lot of top laners in this league who are camping the same 3 champions, and I’m also camping a few champions. I think it will for sure be a lot more fun because maybe I’m not on K’Sante duty every game anymore and I get to actually play something that’s, like, enjoyable to play. So I’m hyped for that.
Talking of the other top laners, what have you thought of the newcomers Naak Nako, Lot, and Carlsen?
Irrelevant: I think for me the stand out is Lot. I think this guy’s playing very well, I’m impressed by how he plays. I think the other two are fine, I don’t think too much of them.
Lee Jones: I wanted to follow up on your broadcast interview after beating SK where you said you were “always happy to see SK lose”, but you could not say the reasons there.
Is that something you’re able to give more details on here?
I… I cannot say. I cannot say the reason. That’s not made for the public.
Next up: Yike - "I want to prove that I can win without the G2 players"