ENCE, a Finnish esports organization, has evolved into one of the most respected names in Counter-Strike, both in the CS:GO and Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) competitive landscapes. Renowned for their disciplined playstyle, creative strategies, and a signature mix of young talent and veteran leadership, ENCE has cultivated a loyal fanbase while stamping its mark on the global esports scene. From their humble beginnings to their meteoric rise into the upper ranks of professional Counter-Strike, ENCE’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. This article dives deep into the team’s history, rosters, achievements, and defining moments that have cemented their legacy.
History and Development of ENCE’s Counter-Strike Team
ENCE’s Early Years and Reformation
ENCE first entered the CS:GO competitive scene in 2013, signaling their intent as a Finnish esports powerhouse. However, after struggling to achieve meaningful results, the organization disbanded their roster in July 2014. Despite the setback, ENCE’s spirit remained unbroken, and they re-entered the scene in 2016 with several iterations of Finnish lineups. During this transitional period, ENCE refined their competitive aspirations and continued their search for the right mix of players to elevate their position on the international stage.
Things began to take shape in April 2018, when ENCE formed a stable roster that would mark their re-emergence on the global scene. The lineup comprised Aleksi “allu” Jalli, Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen, Jani “Aerial” Jussila, Jere “sergej” Salo, and Sami “xseveN” Laasanen. With this group of young talents and experienced veterans, the team set forth on what many would call ENCE’s golden era.
Rise to Prominence
The 2018 roster was heralded as a “dream team” composed of home-grown talent that honed their collective skills to outshine competitors on some of esports’ largest stages. The year 2019 saw ENCE ascend to global recognition, achieving historic milestones and cementing their place as a top-tier squad.
Under the guidance of captain Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen and the sharp shooting of Aleksi “allu” Jalli, ENCE made headlines at the IEM Katowice Major 2019, where they finished in second place after a masterclass tournament run, eventually losing to Astralis in the grand final. This performance catapulted the team to #2 in the HLTV global rankings, a position that validated their talent and work ethic.
Further achieving a string of podium finishes, ENCE secured the championship title at the BLAST Pro Series: Madrid 2019, marking a momentous occasion in their storied journey. Other notable finishes in that year included second place at DreamHack Masters Dallas and IEM XIV – Chicago, placing ENCE as legitimate contenders for any global trophy.
The Transition to an International Roster
Following their successful outings in 2019, the team faced the inevitable challenge of maintaining consistency. Roster changes in the subsequent years led ENCE to transition from a predominantly Finnish player base to an international team by 2021. This strategic shift aimed to broaden the organization’s perspective and bring in diverse talent from around the globe.
The move paid dividends. ENCE secured their first title in two years with a victory at IEM Fall 2021, showcasing their mettle against fierce international competition. They also qualified for that year’s Major and peaked at #7 in the HLTV rankings, reaffirming their growing stature within the esports community.
By 2022, ENCE embraced a fully international lineup that delivered stellar performances. The team climbed back to #2 in the HLTV rankings and dominated several high-profile tournaments, including placing second at ESL Pro League Season 15 and IEM Dallas 2022, winning the BLAST Premier Spring EU Showdown 2022, and reaching the semifinals of the PGL Major Antwerp 2022.
Recent Success and Challenges
In 2023, ENCE’s upward trajectory continued despite roster shuffles and periods of instability. The team celebrated a historic moment by winning IEM Dallas 2023, their first LAN tournament victory in four years. Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia emerged as the MVP of the event, embodying ENCE’s resilience and determination.
The latter half of 2023 saw ENCE making grand final appearances at IEM Cologne and Gamers8 2023, solidifying their position as a perennial contender on the global stage. However, challenges surfaced as the year drew to a close, culminating in the team disbanding their Counter-Strike 2 lineup after the BLAST Premier: World Final 2023, where they finished in last place. The departure of key players left the organization facing an uncertain but intriguing future heading into 2024.
ENCE’s Current and Past Roster
Disbandment Post-2023
Following the end of their CS2 roster’s journey in 2023, ENCE saw significant personnel changes. Players like Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia, Pavle “Maden” Bošković, and Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer departed for Team Falcons, while Guy “NertZ” Iluz joined Heroic. This left a void that ENCE sought to fill with a fresh lineup looking ahead to 2024.
2024 Roster Announcement
For the upcoming season, ENCE announced the acquisition of three core players from the 9INE roster: Krzysztof “Goofy” Górski, Kacper “Kylar” Walukiewicz, and Olek “hades” Miskiewicz. In addition, Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander and Paweł “dycha” Dycha remained in the roster as foundational players, poised to steer ENCE into a new era.
Current roster
Lukas “Gla1ve” Rossander – A four-time Major winner with Astralis and by many hailed as the best IGL in history
Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev – Formerly represented profiled teams such as NAVI and Team Spirit
Paavo “podi” Heiskanen – Young AWPer who was promoted from ENCE Academy.
Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara – Has played for Young Ninjas before joining ENCE.
Ryan “neityu” Aubry – A young and promising talent from France.
Notable Achievements
- 🏆 IEM Dallas 2023: Won their first LAN trophy in four years under the prowess of Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia.
- 🏆 BLAST Pro Series: Madrid 2019: Took home the championship title.
- 🥈 IEM Katowice Major 2019: Finished second, runners-up to Astralis.
- 🥈 DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019: Second-place finish.
- 🥈 IEM XIV – Chicago 2019: Achieved second place, further cementing their position at the top.
- 🥈 ESL Pro League Season 15: Secured a second-place finish in 2022.
- 🥉 PGL Major Antwerp 2022: Semifinalist finish, reinforcing their status as a top contender.
ENCE’s top results at Counter-Strike Majors through the years
- 🥈 IEM Katowice Major 2019
- 🥉 PGL Major Antwerp 2022
Awards and Trivia
ENCE’s success at IEM Katowice 2019 resulted in their fanbase receiving an anthem titled “EZ4ENCE,” a song created by Finnish artists Verkkars. This further solidified their popularity on the global esports stage.
Since the organization’s inception in 2013, ENCE has amassed over $2,359,760 in prize winnings, a figure that reflects years of hard work and consistent high-level performance.
FAQ – ENCE’s Counter-Strike Team
What does ENCE stand for?
ENCE is derived from “encephalitis,” showcasing the team’s sharp, strategic playstyle akin to excellent cerebral coordination.
When did ENCE first enter the Counter-Strike scene?
ENCE entered the scene in 2013 but disbanded shortly after. They re-joined in 2016 and gained prominence in 2018.
What are some of ENCE’s most notable achievements?
Some of their most notable achievements include winning IEM Dallas 2023, BLAST Pro Series: Madrid 2019, and reaching the finals of IEM Katowice Major 2019.
Who are the key players in ENCE’s new roster for 2024?
The new roster includes Krzysztof “Goofy” Górski, Kacper “Kylar” Walukiewicz, Olek “hades” Miskiewicz, Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, and Paweł “dycha” Dycha.
Why did ENCE disband their CS2 roster in 2023?
Following a disappointing performance at the BLAST Premier: World Final 2023, ENCE decided to restructure and prepare a new lineup for 2024.
Where is ENCE based?
ENCE is based in Finland and is widely regarded as one of the most successful esports organizations from the region.
What is ENCE’s most memorable tournament victory?
Their victory at IEM Dallas 2023 is one of their most memorable, as it marked their first LAN tournament win in four years.
What song is associated with ENCE’s fanbase?
“EZ4ENCE,” created by Finnish musical duo Verkkars, became the anthem for ENCE fans after the team’s success at IEM Katowice 2019.
Has ENCE ever been ranked number one on HLTV?
No, ENCE’s highest ranking on HLTV was #2, achieved during their peak years in 2019 and 2022.
