HEROIC has benched Belarusian AWPer Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin in a transfer that has shocked the CS2 neighborhood. Moreover, FUT has signed the vast majority of the ex-NAVI Juniors squad.
The highly-rated teenager was part of the workforce for lower than two months, having joined following the switch of Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia to G2 Esports.
gr1ks at IEM Cologne 2025 Picture Credit score: ESL
gr1k’s time on HEROIC lower quick in shock benching
In his quick time with the workforce, the 19-year-old performed in two occasions, FISSURE Playground 1 and IEM Cologne 2025.
gr1k did not hit the bottom working in both occasion as HEROIC struggled, but he did present glimpses of promise with a robust efficiency versus Virtus.professional on the Cathedral of Counter-Strike in Cologne. He notched 35 kills, with 5 opening frags and 86.9 ADR in a cushty 2-0 sequence win.
The announcement recommended that new coach Tobias “TOBIZ” Theo believes gr1ks’ playstyle doesn’t align with HEROIC’s. This has been met with scepticism by followers and pundits alike.
CS2 Analyst Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott commented that gr1ks wasn’t given sufficient time on the workforce, and recommended his substitute, Spirit Academy’s Alimzhan “Alkaren” Bitmbai, “isn’t higher than him.”
If analyst phrases are to be believed, this can be a uncommon scouting failure by HEROIC. The Swedish-based group constantly rebuilds its squad impressively after shedding gamers to higher-ranked groups.
There may be now loads of anticipation as as to if the workforce that includes Alkaren can reside as much as the highs of earlier rosters.
And for individuals who are at present questioning it, the reply is that gr1ks lasted 0.71 FNS’ on HEROIC.
FUT indicators ex-NAVI Junior, however with out the firepower
In different Counter-Strike roster information, FUT has benched virtually their whole French roster in favor of selecting up the youthful former NAVI Juniors workforce.
The ex-NAVI Juniors deliver plenty of hype and potential to the Turkish organisation, having risen to the highest 30 of the VRS standings regardless of not with the ability to play in larger occasions on account of workforce possession guidelines and potential integrity conflicts with the principle roster.
With star participant Drin “makazze” Shaqiri being promoted to NAVI’s roster relatively than departing with the remainder of his teammates, there are actually big footwear to fill within the squad as they embark on their new problem.
misutaaa at PGL Copenhagen Main Picture Credit score: PGL
These footwear will probably be crammed by Kevin “misutaaa” Rabier, the former-Vitality participant who was as soon as touted to be a future star throughout the French scene.
Though his profession has stalled since departing Vitality, he does deliver with him a wealth of tier one expertise, which might be of paramount significance to the younger workforce.
The query is, although, given how properly the workforce was doing with out an skilled determine like misutaa, is having one crucial now, given the success they’d earlier than? Will expertise outweigh the firepower deficit left behind?
It isn’t simple to switch a participant who has made the step as much as a top-five workforce. Opposite to widespread opinion, younger stars don’t simply spawn in.
If FUT goes to maintain pushing ahead, they’ll now must develop into a far stronger unit or have somebody present that particular person firepower as soon as extra.
