The experiment with Team Liquid came to an end for cadiaN on June 18, after a turbulent six months with the organisation, and even though it was a much longer stay for his compatriot, HooXi has suffered the same fate.
G2 and Liquid have been some of the biggest movers during the player break, with both teams making multiple changes to their rosters at the end of June and the start of July.
HooXi now follows Nemanja “nexa” Isakovic out the door after he was benched on June 18 due to poor performances in the seven months that he was on the roster.
It comes as no surprise that HooXi is the next team member to go, following multiple rumours around his future and his lack of impact on the server outside of his leadership.
HooXi did lead G2 to three S-Tier titles, including two of the most prestigious titles, IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne, in 2023.
However, since the turn of the year, G2 has made the playoffs in most of the tournaments they have played in but failed to claim a title until they won IEM Dallas in June.
Unfortunately for HooXi, he wasn’t in Dallas, and Nikola “NiKo” Kovac took over as the in-game leader, while Jake “Stewie2k” Yip stood in for HooXi.
This led people in the Counter-Strike scene to question if G2 would be better off without HooXi and if NiKo could take the reins as the IGL.
It is not known who will take over as the new IGL after HooXi’s benching, but whatever happens, it appears as though G2 Esports are taking big steps to improve their already deadly roster.
Multiple trophies, hundreds of memes, and loads of the most cracked content.
Thanks for everything, m'Lord @HooXiCSGO, you'll forever be the real CS Gigachad
pic.twitter.com/HlOI02BFwh
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) July 1, 2024
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This move aligns with earlier reports by HLTV, putting an end to the speculation surrounding G2’s roster changes.
Nexa, a seasoned player at 26, is no stranger to the G2 organization, having previously served as the in-game leader (IGL) for the team in 2021.
Despite not securing major trophies during his initial tenure, G2 remained a formidable force, securing second-place finishes at IEM Cologne 2021 and the PGL Major Stockholm, and reaching the No. 2 spot in the global rankings.
Having played alongside Nemanja “?huNter-?” Kova? and Nikola “?NiKo?” Kova? during his first stint at G2, nexa brings familiarity to the current line up.
However, the lack of tangible success eventually led to changes, and nexa moved to OG in 2022, with Aleksi “?Aleksib?” Virolainen taking over as G2’s IGL.
Unfortunately, nexa’s time at OG did not yield significant achievements, with the team achieving modest success at LAN events.
Despite briefly reaching the No. 8 spot in the world rankings, OG slid out of the top 30 in 2023.
The return of nexa to G2 comes as a replacement for jks, who is stepping down from the active roster.
While speculation abounded that nexa might reassume the role of IGL, he has clarified that, for now, he will focus on his primary role as a rifler.
This move follows NiKo’s decision to stay with G2, turning down an offer from Falcons.
G2’s CS2 division has undergone recent turbulence with roster uncertainties, but the organization is experiencing its most successful year in Counter-Strike esports.
With victories at the BLAST Premier World Final in December 2022, IEM Katowice in February, and IEM Cologne in August, G2 has solidified its presence as a top-tier team.
Nexa’s return to G2 brings anticipation for the upcoming BLAST Premier World Final scheduled between December 13 and 17, where the team will aim to continue its success.
While the exact debut date for nexa in this new stint remains unclear, fans can expect an experienced and familiar presence to bolster G2’s competitive edge.
WELCOME BACK @nexaOG pic.twitter.com/ozHJg1ZTaj
— G2 CS (@G2CSGO) November 21, 2023
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According to sources, nexa is currently searching for opportunities to return to the competitive scene soon. The player is also considering returning to OG’s starting five, but rather than an in-game leader, nexa intends to take up the position of a rifler.
The player stepped back from OG’s starting lineup in February this year due to personal reasons. Nexa was replaced by previously benched player Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen, who is rumored to be on his way out of OG.
Following nexa’s move, OG did not inform fans of his potential return date; rather, they stated that niko would lead the squad for the remaining Major circuit. niko functioned as the team’s captain throughout the BLAST Paris Major, where they placed 20th-22nd and only won one match in the Challengers Stage.
After three months of no information, recent reports claim that nexa intends to return to active play by summer and was already exploring his options which include staying with OG.
The player joined OG in January 2022 from G2 Esports. He took the position of IGL from Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen, who moved to G2. During nexa’s first few months on the lineup, the player helped OG qualify for the Intel Extreme Masters Rio Major and led a semi-final run during the BLAST Premier World Final.
The news of nexa’s potential return to active play comes not long after rumors of an upcoming roster change in OG. Shahar “flameZ” Shushan and Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen are reportedly gearing up to leave the organization.
While flameZ’s departure is tied to his OG contract expiring, niko is set to part ways with the team due to their poor showing at the Paris Major. niko has been a part of OG since March 2021 and was recently taken off the bench to lead the team.
OG are also yet to inform the public about the future of Abdulkhalik “degster” Gasanov on the lineup following his request for a break after the conclusion of the Paris Major.
Former Copenhagen Flames AWPer Iulian “regali” Harj?u will replace degster on OG in the fast-approaching IEM Dallas tournament. The player has been in free agency since his previous organization shut down operations earlier this month.
]]>The European esports organization has brought in former rifler Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen to fill nexa’s spot in the starting five. OG’s official statement also confirmed that the team was currently in Warsaw for a pre-tournament boot camp expected to last the entire week.
“Nemanja “nexa” Isakovi�� will be stepping back from the team temporarily for personal reasons. The team remains determined to qualify for the BLAST Major Paris and is currently gathering for a week-long bootcamp in Warsaw,” the statement read.
“We are pleased to announce that Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen is temporarily joining the starting lineup for the rest of the Major circuit, starting with tomorrow’s Closed Qualifier.”
Nexa’s exclusion from the lineup may deal some damage to OG’s chances of qualifying for the upcoming Europe RMR. The Serbian has played an integral part on the team since he joined in 2022.
With nexa as the in-game leader, OG placed top three in the CCT Central Europe Series # 2, BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2022, Global Esports Tour Dubai 2022, and BLAST Premier World Final 2022. He also led the side to victory in the Fall and Spring groups of the BLAST Premier competition.
OG did not announce who would take nexa’s place. None of their current lineup — Adam “?NEOFRAG?” Zouhar, Russia Abdul “?degster?” Gasanov, Maciej “?F1KU?” Miklas, Shahar “?flameZ?” Shushan, or niko — have any experience as an in-game leader in a top-tier tournament.
Niko’s ability to perform in the Europe RMR closed qualifier is also yet to be seen, as the player has only participated in minor events for teams like NtK and Astralis Talent since he was benched in May 2022. He is now an unrestricted free agency after his contract with OG expired on January 1.
OG are seeded in BLAST.tv Paris Major RMR Closed Qualifier B along with GamerLegion, forZe, Apeks, Illuminar, Monte, Aurora, Falcons, and eigth other teams. The event is slated to run from February 16-19.
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