Helvijs “broky” Saukants has returned to FaZe Clan’s starting lineup after being benched before the summer break and missing the BLAST.tv Austin Major. The Latvian AWPer has wasted no time in proving his value, finishing the BLAST Open London 2025 group stage as the fourth-highest-rated player with a 1.32 HLTV rating.
You can watch our full interview with broky in the video below:
A reset after a tough year
The start of 2025 was rough for FaZe. Expectations were high, but results never came. broky admits that the break away from competition helped him reset both mentally and physically.
“I just took a break, you know, the team gave me a break. It was a stressful year so far. Coming back from the break was good for me. I just started eating more healthier and things like that.”
Missing the Austin Major was particularly difficult:
“Missing the Major is always tough. You qualify and then you’re told that you’re not going to play. The first few days was rough, but after a while it didn’t really affect me as much. After that, I just focused on the next thing that was going to happen.”
New energy with jcobbb
This second half of the season also brought a roster change. Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski joined from Poland, replacing Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski. Nothing has been made public about why the American star stepped aside, but jcobbb’s arrival has already given FaZe a fresh look.
“We had high expectations and then didn’t do anything in the first season. Hopefully with jcobbb coming in we get some more life in the team and play some good Counter-Strike,” broky said.
He also believes the younger rifler is a good fit for the lineup:
“Bringing a younger player helps the team. jcobbb reminds me of myself when I first joined FaZe, I was a bit shy. I think he needs some time to open up.”
Playoffs mindset
FaZe now face G2 in the Quarter-Finals later today at the BLAST Open London. For broky, the pressure of the stage is exactly where he wants to be.
“I like when the games are more pressured, I think I strive in the chaos, so hopefully we can go to the finals.”
Schedule for today:
16.30: MOUZ – M80
19.30: FaZe – G2
