Team Liquid CS2 player Keith `NAF` Markovic commented on the audience behavior at IEM Melbourne 2025. He noted that the shouts directed at his team were more entertaining than they were negative.
The crowd was definitely against us this event, but I found it really funny when they were chanting `Fuck Liquid`. I remember hearing it through my headset and I was like `are they chanting that right now?` [laughs]. Playing in front of the crowd regardless is always really fun and I had a great time.
Being on both sides is fun. In movies and TV shows, whenever I would see villains, I thought they were cooler than good guys. So it`s kind of fun when you`re a villain and it`s also fun when the crowd is supporting you. When Liquid and I played in Chicago and in the US, we saw Liquid jerseys everywhere and people chanting your name and cheering you on after every kill. I`ve been on both sides and I think both situations are fun.
IEM Melbourne 2025 took place in Australia from April 21 to 27. Teams competed for a prize pool of $300,000. Liquid finished the tournament in 5th-6th place, losing to The Mongolz 1:2 in the quarterfinals.
Finley Holt