Filip Babić on His Journey and Challenges Ahead of UEFA eEuro 2025

Filip Babić is one of the key figures in Croatian eFootball. As a player for the Croatian national team, President of the Esports Association of Croatia, and head coach at CyberLive!Arena, he successfully combines several roles while continuing to compete at the highest level. Ahead of the upcoming UEFA eEuro 2025, we spoke with him about preparation, the development of the scene, and the challenges professional players face.

Has your experience in past tournaments influenced your preparation this time? If so, how?

Yes, for sure. Since the qualifiers are taking place so early into the new EA FC release, it’s really busy right now. We need to figure out the new mechanics quickly, practice a lot, and study the game in detail. My eight years of competing taught me that while everyone eventually learns the meta, the real advantage comes from adding your own twists. If you can find individual ways of attacking and defending, you can stay one step ahead and win more games because of it.

What are your main challenges or goals in this year’s qualifiers?

I always have my personal expectations, but the dream is to qualify and represent Croatia at the eEUROs. It’s very tough, but as a nation we always have high ambitions in every sport, even with our small population. People expect that from us, and it’s also part of our mentality.

What changes would you like to see in the qualifiers or the tournament format?

I’d really like to see the return of the 2vs2 format. When it comes to representing a nation, the 2vs2 mode in particular was very entertaining for the fans and brought something special to the competition. It also gave smaller countries a chance to surprise some of the bigger nations, especially if their players had good synergy. I think that element of unpredictability made the tournament more exciting.

How do you work on psychological preparation before important matches?

It’s really a constant battle with yourself. No matter how much you prepare, when the adrenaline kicks in, it’s hard to stay in the mindset you planned. I’m much calmer now compared to when I started, but representing your country is always something special. It feels very different from just playing for a team or as a free agent.

How do you manage being a player, coach, and association president at the same time? How does it help you understand the scene?

It’s not easy, because you have to manage your time really well to perform in all roles. As a player, being president of an association doesn’t really help—it actually takes time away. But the other way around, being a player helps me understand how to run the association from a player’s perspective. Coaching also helps with both, but it takes a lot of time as well. The key is to find balance.

What qualities, aside from individual skill, are essential to succeed in the tournament?

I’d say mental resistance, composure, and endurance. At this level, everyone has the technical skill, but staying calm and focused under pressure is what separates the best players.

Has player preparation changed over recent years with the growth of esports?

Definitely. In the beginning there weren’t many coaches, analysts, or nutritionists involved. Now, at the top level, players work much more professionally, almost like traditional athletes.

Do you see differences in approaches to eFootball in various European countries?

Yes, of course. In countries like Germany, for example, the infrastructure is on another level, and there’s a lot more investment going into esports. That naturally creates a more professional approach compared to smaller regions.

What advice would you give to young players aiming to compete internationally?

In EA FC esports today, content creation is almost a must. I honestly regret not starting earlier because it’s a big part of showing yourself to the world and building a community. Teams also pay close attention to your social media numbers when deciding who to sign. Apart from that, my advice is simple - just go for it. Many people don’t succeed because they never try. If you have the passion and the energy, take the chance.

This interview highlights how multifaceted the modern eFootball scene has become and how experienced players like Filip continue to shape its future. His journey proves that with discipline, a professional approach, and passion for the game, players can reach impressive heights and make a real impact on the international stage.