rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
HEROIC has benched Belarusian AWPer Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin in a move that has shocked the CS2 community. Additionally, FUT has signed the majority of the ex-NAVI Juniors squad.
The highly-rated youngster was a part of the team for less than two months, having joined following the transfer of Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia to G2 Esports.
gr1ks at IEM Cologne 2025 Image Credit: ESL
gr1k’s time on HEROIC cut short in surprise benching
In his short time with the team, the 19-year-old played in two events, FISSURE Playground 1 and IEM Cologne 2025.
gr1k failed to hit the ground running in either event as HEROIC struggled, yet he did show glimpses of promise with a strong performance versus Virtus.pro at the Cathedral of Counter-Strike in Cologne. He notched 35 kills, with five opening frags and 86.9 ADR in a comfortable 2-0 series win.
The announcement suggested that new coach Tobias “TOBIZ” Theo believes gr1ks’ playstyle doesn’t align with HEROIC’s. This has been met with scepticism by fans and pundits alike.
CS2 Analyst Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott commented that gr1ks wasn’t given enough time on the team, and suggested his replacement, Spirit Academy’s Alimzhan “Alkaren” Bitmbai, “isn’t better than him.”
If analyst words are to be believed, this is a rare scouting failure by HEROIC. The Swedish-based organization consistently rebuilds its squad impressively after losing players to higher-ranked teams.
There is now plenty of anticipation as to whether the team featuring Alkaren can live up to the highs of previous rosters.
And for those who are currently questioning it, the answer is that gr1ks lasted 0.71 FNS’ on HEROIC.
FUT signs ex-NAVI Junior, but without the firepower
In other Counter-Strike roster news, FUT has benched almost their entire French roster in favor of picking up the younger former NAVI Juniors team.
The ex-NAVI Juniors bring a lot of hype and potential to the Turkish organisation, having risen to the top 30 of the VRS standings despite not being able to play in bigger events due to team ownership rules and potential integrity conflicts with the main roster.
With star player Drin “makazze” Shaqiri being promoted to NAVI’s roster rather than departing with the rest of his teammates, there are now huge shoes to fill in the squad as they embark on their new challenge.
misutaaa at PGL Copenhagen Major Image Credit: PGL
Those shoes will be filled by Kevin “misutaaa” Rabier, the former-Vitality player who was once touted to be a future star within the French scene.
Although his career has stalled since departing Vitality, he does bring with him a wealth of tier one experience, which could be of paramount importance to the young team.
The question is, though, given how well the team was doing without an experienced figure like misutaa, is having one necessary now, given the success they had before? Will experience outweigh the firepower deficit left behind?
It isn’t easy to replace a player who has made the step up to a top-five team. Contrary to popular opinion, young stars don’t just spawn in.
If FUT is going to keep pushing forward, they’ll now need to become a far stronger unit or have someone provide that individual firepower once more.
