This time, the spotlight falls on Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, the team’s former in-game leader, who has been benched with a potential sale in mind.
This announcement comes amid a broader restructuring effort within the organization, including changes in coaching staff.
Kasper Straube, Astralis’ Director of Sports, cited a mismatch in player profiles and roles as the primary reason behind the decision to bench blameF.
Today we announce a change in the lineup, with in-game leader Benjamin "blameF" Bremer being benched with a potential sale in mind.
We want to thank Benjamin for his time, loyalty and dedication. We've seen him grow on and off the server and proudly watched his hard work. It's… pic.twitter.com/Dfa40ZvF3o
— Astralis (@Astralisgg) February 28, 2024
This move reflects Astralis’ commitment to redefining roles within the team to optimize performance.
A new in-game leader is expected to be announced soon as part of this strategic overhaul.
The decision to bench blameF follows a disappointing performance at the PGL Major Copenhagen European RMR B event, where Astralis finished with a 2-3 record and suffered a critical loss to 9Pandas in the decider bracket.
This setback adds to a string of disappointments for Astralis, including failed attempts to advance in recent Major tournaments.
Astralis’ struggles mark a significant departure from its illustrious past, where they were renowned for their dominance in the CS scene, clinching three consecutive Major titles.
However, since 2021, the team has faced challenges, including roster changes and declining results on the Major stage.
In addition to in-game struggles, Astralis has faced public scrutiny for controversial moves, such as signing formerly banned coach Nicolai “Hunden” Petersen and acquiring players from rival teams like Martin “?stavn?” Lund and Jakob “?jabbi?” Nygaard.
Despite these challenges, Astralis remains determined to reclaim its former glory.
The organization’s decision to bench blameF and revamp its coaching staff signals a renewed commitment to excellence and a strategic effort to address underlying issues within the team.
As Astralis embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly anticipate the team’s next moves and hope for a resurgence that will once again establish them as a dominant force in the world of Counter-Strike.
Meanwhile, blameF has confirmed his commitment to CS2 and is happy to move to another team, but he won’t be taking on the in-game leader role.
Benched in Astralis.
I'll be looking to continue playing asap but as a riffle (non IGL) so if any organisations are interested in talking with me, you can reach me through my DM.I wish the Astralis boys good luck and thank the whole organisation for my time there
— Benjamin Vang Bremer (@blameFFFFF) February 28, 2024
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The ramifications of their defeat, a resounding 2-0 loss (13-11, 13-8), reverberate throughout the Counter-Strike community, marking their third consecutive absence from the prestigious Major tournaments.
The match, which unfolded with tense anticipation, saw Astralis grappling to assert their dominance, especially on Overpass, where the scoreboard remained tight until 9 Pandas clinched a decisive victory in round 24.
Despite Astralis’ valiant efforts, including pivotal pistol wins and clutch moments, they couldn’t stave off 9 Pandas’ strategic brilliance and technical finesse.
Transitioning to Nuke, 9 Pandas strategically outmaneuvered Astralis, exploiting their vulnerabilities and executing a relentless offensive that left the Danish team reeling.
The repeated assaults on the upper bomb site showcased 9 Pandas’ confidence and tactical acumen, ultimately sealing their triumph and dashing Astralis’ dreams of Major qualification.
The absence of Astralis from the upcoming Major tournament is emblematic of the organization’s post-pandemic decline.
Despite high-profile signings such as Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard and Martin “stavn” Lund, touted as potential savours, Astralis has struggled to find cohesion and capitalize on their individual talents.
Role conflicts, the lack of a coach, and mounting community pressure have all contributed to their downward spiral, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s future trajectory.
The disappointment is palpable not only for the players but also for the Danish fans, who had eagerly anticipated seeing their homegrown team compete on the grand stage.
Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz’s heartfelt acknowledgment of the loss underscores the emotional toll it has taken on the team, further emphasizing the need for introspection and reform within the organization.
Nothing mattered more than this. I’m crushed trying to find any words to put on what happened.
The biggest sorry to our fans & the organization who believed in us.
It’s an impossible pill to swallow not being a part of the celebration of Counter Strike in Copenhagen…..— Nicolai Reedtz (@dev1ce) February 23, 2024
As Astralis grapples with the aftermath of this devastating defeat, they face a critical juncture in their journey.
With their next pivotal tournament, IEM Chengdu, looming on the horizon, the team must regroup, address their shortcomings, and strive for redemption.
Whether they can reclaim their former glory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road ahead will be fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
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Initially joining the organization in August 2022 to coach the academy squad, Astralis Talent, the 37-year-old took over the main team in October 2022.
Despite a commendable semi-final run at IEM Cologne 2023, challenges on the global stage led to Astralis facing a need for change.
The organization’s revamped roster now includes controversial signings Martin “stavn” Lund and Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard, formerly of Heroic.
This move has left a sour taste among CS fans worldwide, especially considering Astralis’ history with Heroic, including their relationship with Casper “cadiaN” M?ller, Heroic’s former IGL.
The undisclosed reasons for these surprising transfers are known only to the players, but reports suggest Heroic received close to $2 million USD in compensation.
The debut of stavn and jabbi at BetBoom Dacha resulted in Astralis finishing last alongside GamerLegion.
Looking back on the fall season, Astralis Sports Director Kasper Straube emphasized the need for a coaching profile with different skills than casle’s, paving the way for a coaching change in preparation for 2024.
While Astralis has not revealed a successor, insiders point to Richard “Xizt” Landstr?m, who previously collaborated with Straube, stavn, and jabbi during their time at Heroic.
The Swedish coach’s experience and familiarity with key team members make him a strong contender for the role.
Astralis enters 2024 with confidence and a formidable roster, the upcoming announcement of the new head coach will undoubtedly shape their journey in the competitive esports landscape.
Today, we say farewell and express our gratitude to @casleCSGO, who will no longer operate as head coach of our main team.
Read the full story
— Astralis Counter-Strike (@AstralisCS) December 20, 2023
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The team announced that Martin “?stavn?” Lund and Jakob “?jabbi?” Nygaard have been temporarily benched.
roster update. pic.twitter.com/EEiU0xQXYe
— HEROIC (@heroicgg) October 25, 2023
This move comes on the heels of the removal of Casper “?cadiaN?” M?ller from the roster in early October.
Heroic claims that stavn and jabbi initiated this change with an ultimatum after their performance at ESL Pro League.
According to Heroic, they agreed to stavn and jabbi’s ultimatum, which led to cadiaN’s benching.
The expectation was that in return, stavn and jabbi would extend their contracts with Heroic, which were set to expire in approximately 10 months.
However, no contracts were signed, and rumors surfaced about potential interest from Astralis in acquiring the services of stavn and jabbi.
Heroic has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions with organizations that appreciate the market value of their players.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Heroic’s primary ambition is to reinstate stavn and jabbi into the starting lineup.
The team’s performance staff has devised a plan to support their potential return to the organization.
In their official statement, Heroic highlighted the events leading up to these roster changes.
Stavn and jabbi had pushed for cadiaN’s removal after ESL Pro League, a move that took both cadiaN and Heroic’s management by surprise.
Mediation attempts were made, but the situation escalated to an ultimatum, forcing Heroic to make a choice between cadiaN and the rest of the team.
Stavn and jabbi agreed to extend their contracts if cadiaN was let go, and Heroic agreed to this condition.
However, on the same day that Heroic presented new contracts to stavn and jabbi, the players communicated their plans with Astralis.
These developments unfolded while Heroic still had almost 10 months left on their existing contracts.
Despite this, Heroic remains committed to the idea of bringing stavn and jabbi back into the fold.
To address the immediate gaps in their roster, Heroic has enlisted Peter “?dupreeh?” Rasmussen as a temporary replacement for cadiaN until the end of 2023.
For their upcoming matches in the Roobet Cup and Thunderpick World Championship, they will utilize the MOUZ NXT duo of William “?sirah?” Kj?rsgaard and Christoffer “?Chr1zN?” Storgaard.
However, the situation took an intriguing twist when stavn posted a cryptic tweet just hours after Heroic’s announcement, which some interpreted as a veiled criticism of the organization.
The tweet read, “Gotta love the world we live in. What is the saying? Truth always prevails.”
Gotta love the world we live in
What is the saying? Truth always prevails.— Martin Lund (@stavnCS) October 25, 2023
This saga has left fans uncertain about Heroic’s future in the Counter-Strike scene.
With cadiaN’s departure and the uncertainty surrounding stavn and jabbi, the team’s ability to remain competitive has been cast into doubt.
Heroic did debut with their revamped roster against Aurora in the Roobet Cup 2023’s Group A opener, securing a 2-1 victory despite fielding MOUZ NXT’s players.
However, their prospects for success appear uncertain given the turmoil within the organization.
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