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Goat Format World Championship 2025: Player Interviews

10/21/2025

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The best in the world came together to compete in the most prestigious tournament of Goat Format. Eight players rose to the top. Find out who they are here! 
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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I didn't practice at all for the event itself, but having recently gotten my invite recently during a GGP a few months ago, I felt I was fresh. I talked theory with Marou, who also was planning to bring burn, to help me improve my version of the deck. I also had help from the rest of the Greek worlds squad, about preparing for the potential worlds field.
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Panda Burn. Even though it has been becoming more popular in the weeks leading up to worlds, which meant more prep against it, I felt I had some good ideas about how to counter these common side deck choices. I also didn't feel like playing multiple CT mirrors, as they can be a dice-roll a lot of times, and a lot of other players would be more practiced on the mirror than me.

​I always liked the idea of Solemn in Burn, as in theory it counters many side deck choices for Burn, most importantly Wok and Mobius. I mainly got inspiration from a list by Giya a few years ago (which cost me an invite...) and the recent results by MMF. Knowing that almost no potential RGT was on the horizon also made the choice easier.
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
Chaos Turbo because I feel like I know this matchup the best, and I am prepared for it the most.
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
I don't like playing burn mirrors, so any Burn and alt-win I'd rather avoid. Decree decks could also be a problem since I play many traps.
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
For not being very well tested, Solemn has been pretty good, stopped some crucial Mobius, and let me go for game safely through woks. What is more important is that the opponents' Turn 1 Duo's underperformed.
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
The last play of the final, no question. I was very low on life and the opponent summons tribe to kill my ojama tokens and go for game. But by chaining my Barrel and my own Ojama, after being destroyed, I can barely get enough damage in for me to win the match and the championship. Had to sit there for a few moments to let it sink in.
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
I'm writing this after the event is over, so glad things turned out the way they did.
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
I would like to have tested the Mask of Darkness builds, as well as the Mask of Restrict option, which was becoming popular recently. They sound good in theory, but since I never had time to try them out, I decided to go to a more familiar strategy.
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
I have been playing the game for a few years, and this was both the first worlds I got to participate in, as well as the first major event I win, with it being the greatest. It gives meaning to the time I've put in the game. It also means a lot to make my teamates and the rest of the community who supported me proud.
Any shout outs you would like to make?
​I have to give an enormous shoutout to the whole Greek community. I cannot interact with them IRL these days, but it has grown and keeps growing, and it's been great to see. Shoutout to my team Nemesis and our captain Zogler, and my main training partner throughout the years Marou, as well as the rest of the team Steve, EvansGR, Tanasio, Viriros, Geronymo, Valtinos, KCF. confuse rei for actually putting work and prepping for worlds and Nessa who almost always comes along to our GGP travels. Big shoutout also to Team Krebones, which is my main yapping space these days. Huge thanks to the staff for running the event, I know first hand that it can be a stressful and thankless job, and this was one of the smoothest ran worlds I've experienced.

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
Mostly on my own on the DB ladder, but I would like to thank Puy who played a few games with me and afterwards I discarded my deck (Cat) and went back to Panda. I would also like to Shout out Slim Beejay who played a stally version of Panda with Magic Jammer in the GGP Dortmund vs me and made me revisit Panda.
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Panda Burn - I felt people were disrespecting it a bit in their side decks and thought it might be a good meta call.
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
CT/ CC players that thought 2x Wok is enough for the Matchup
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
RGT
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
I don't really remember one card standing out much but there were a few Barrel/ Dessert Top decks that won me games
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
Winning my round 9 and getting Top 8 was a huge relief after I threw round 8 a bit
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
Well, at the time I am filling this in the event already concluded - congratz Kotsos!
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
I feel like my side deck was a bit weak e.g. I never sided the third Trunade - that could have definitely been another card maybe a mirror force.
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
Would have been nice ngl, but a second place is also way more than I expected :)
Any shout outs you would like to make?
Shout out to my old team the Enraged Pandas, to DMG for adopting me, the german Goat scene who brought me back into the game (Duisburg best locals!) and has been cheering for me. The biggest thank you goes to my Girlfriend who always has my back.

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I was preparing whole season for this. That's my prep.
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Warrior. Best deck.
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
I respect all my opponents. [There are] no weak ones.
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
MAROU13
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
D.D. Assailant did his job.
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
Winning g3 vs Marou13 after sending it.
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
A new chapter in Goat history
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
Nothing. Maybe more burn Hate for Marou
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
Belt
Any shout outs you would like to make?
Team dmg step, Balkan people and Picatron… ​

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I played some matches here and there with friends. ​
What deck did you play in this event and why?
I played Panda burn because is the deck I like the most and had good results at previous world championships.
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
Did not have any preference, at the world championship you face the best of the best
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
Decree decks are tough because you rely a lot on the trap lineup and you don't have a lot of outs especially game one
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
Cylinder did a lot of work especially in a top deck situation against Picatron
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
Favorite moment for sure my match vs Kotsos in the semi final, we started the goat journey together and it was easier losing to him than anyone else
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
At the moment i am answering is the final, panda burn mirror. I hope Kotsos wins another burn mirror and claims the championship.
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
I am happy with the deck choices that I made, I don't think I will change anything if I had the chance.
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
It will be something very special for me and our Greek community.
Any shout outs you would like to make?
I don't want to shout out any specific person, mostly the Greek goat community, which is the best IRL community and the reason that I continue play goat after all of those years.

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
Bahamut_1987 and I knew we’d definitely be playing Chaos Turbo, so we discussed our specific card choices. We’ve been playing Yu-Gi-Oh! together since 2004, and getting to prepare for and play in GFWC25 together was truly special.
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Chaos Turbo, because in my opinion it’s the most consistent deck.
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
None in particular.
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
RGT
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
Trap Dustshoot
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
The love and support from the GOAT community!
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
Super happy to make Top 8 — everything else is just a bonus.
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
None #Chen40
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
N/A
Any shout outs you would like to make?
First of all, huge love to my girlfriend, my little cousin, and my mom ❤️
Big shoutout to my YGO crew — Max, Max, Philipp, Amir, and Ubaid — and to my Lorcana crew, and of course the amazing GOAT community!
​It was an incredible feeling to stand on the Worlds stage and feel all the love and support from everyone. Truly grateful for this experience 🙏

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
Legio invicta
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Chaos Turbo
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
Chaos turbo ​
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
Reasoning gate
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
Zombyra the Dark
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
No one ​
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
Burn gonna win ​
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
No ​
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
Nothing ​
Any shout outs you would like to make?
Ppl from my team and my close friends supported my during the tournament ​

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
I played a lot with my Team Members (Iron Goat) and some random DB Ladder Games ​
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Warrior. It is the Best Deck in the Format IMO. Toolbox is Crazy high. ​
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
No Special Players. I respect all guys and their strength. I am looking forward for Chaos Turbo and other Chaos types
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
I don't want to Face my Team Members. I am Not really happy to have the Mirror Match.
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
Spirit Reaper, Magician of faith and Solemn Judgement
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
To be on Top After 9 Rounds of Swiss with a Result of 8-1. Very unbelivable for my First Worlds ​
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
I try my Best and looking forward round for Round. The Result of Top Cut is an exceeded target
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
I was very happy with my deck choice and setup. I felt like I had it perfectly tuned for the tournament. An Amazoness Archer would have been good for the burn matchups.
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
I am primarily an IRL player and played actively from 2004 to 2009. I have been playing online since the end of 2024. Becoming world champion would underscore my current development process. ​
Any shout outs you would like to make?
My teammates from Team Iron Goat, who always support me, and all players who are enthusiastic about Warrior and enjoy my games. ​

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How did you prepare for today's event? Did you practice with a specific person or team?
Just talked about deck to play with my brother Alex Saavedra “sdlkilla”
What deck did you play in this event and why?
Warrior , seemed best choice to play for what we expected would be most of the field , turbo , warrior , burn ​
What decks or players were you looking forward to playing against?
Didn’t mind playing vs anything ​
What decks or players were you NOT looking forward to playing against?
Hmm , maybe gate otk decks ​
What card had been overperforming for you during the event?
Solemn and trap dustshoot ​
What has been your favorite moment of the event so far?
After my r9 win , when I win and had a spot in top8
What predictions do you have for the rest of the event?
After seeing decklist before top8 , I thought if I lost burn would win ​
If you could go back, what (if any) changes would you would make to your deck today?
Think it’s fine how it was for this event ​
What would winning the world championship mean to you? 
A lot ​
Any shout outs you would like to make?
To all my old teammates in team rampage and my brother Sdlkilla , and good friend AJT and the players down at my locals in “the base tcg store “ and hidden city
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