Finn “karrigan” Andersen is a professional Counter-Strike player and in-game leader known for his longevity, strategic flexibility, and leadership across multiple iterations of the game. With a career spanning Counter-Strike 1.6, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), and Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), he has played for some of the most renowned teams in competitive Counter-Strike, including Astralis, Team SoloMid, mousesports, and FaZe Clan. His ability to adapt to different rosters and lead them to success has cemented his reputation as one of the most influential in-game leaders (IGL) in the history of the game.

Early Life and Personal Background

Finn Andersen was born on April 14, 1990, in Denmark. His introduction to Counter-Strike came at an early age, thanks to his older brother, who started playing around 2001. This sparked his interest in the game, and by 2006, he had begun his competitive journey.

Outside of esports, Andersen pursued higher education and holds a master’s degree in business administration and auditing from Copenhagen Business School, which he completed in 2015. His academic success, along with his strategic approach to in-game leadership, reflects his analytical and calculated mindset. He currently resides in Aarhus, Denmark.

Career Overview

Early Years in Counter-Strike 1.6

Karrigan first made a name for himself in Counter-Strike 1.6, playing for various European teams between 2005 and 2012. One of the defining periods of his early career came when he joined Fnatic in 2012. His tenure with the team resulted in multiple tournament victories, including a significant win over Natus Vincere (NAVI) at the Copenhagen Games 1.6.

Transition to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

With the transition to CS:GO in 2012, many players struggled to adapt to the new game mechanics. However, karrigan transitioned successfully, initially joining lesser-known organizations such as nfaculty, Reason Gaming, and Playing Ducks before securing a spot on Copenhagen Wolves. The team featured emerging talents such as Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz and Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, both of whom would go on to become legendary players.

The Copenhagen Wolves roster later evolved into Team Dignitas and subsequently laid the foundation for what would eventually become Astralis.

Team SoloMid and Astralis

Karrigan joined Team SoloMid (TSM) in 2014, where he further established himself as a top-tier in-game leader. TSM was one of the strongest teams during its peak, frequently finishing in the top ranks of international competitions. However, internal conflicts led to the departure of several core players. In January 2016, karrigan became one of the co-founders of Astralis. Despite initial success, he was removed from the Astralis roster in 2016, as the organization opted for a new leadership approach.

First FaZe Clan Stint (2016-2018)

After parting ways with Astralis, karrigan joined FaZe Clan in October 2016. Under his leadership, FaZe became one of the most dominant lineups in Counter-Strike. The team recorded notable tournament wins, including:

• ECS Season 4 Finals (2017)
• ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier (2017)
• IEM Sydney (2018)
• ESL One Belo Horizonte (2018)

Despite these accomplishments, FaZe suffered a devastating loss in the ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018 Grand Final against Cloud9, a match considered one of the greatest upsets in Major history. Following a series of mixed performances, karrigan was benched in late 2018.

Mousesports (2019-2021)

In early 2019, karrigan joined mousesports, where he played a crucial role in revitalizing the roster. Under his leadership, the team secured victories in:

• CS:GO Asia Championships 2019
• ESL Pro League Season 10
• ICE Challenge 2020

During this period, karrigan mentored younger players such as David “frozen” Čerňanský and Robin “ropz” Kool, showcasing his ability to develop talent.

Return to FaZe Clan (2021-Present)

Karrigan returned to FaZe Clan in February 2021, leading the team into an era of dominance. His second stint with FaZe resulted in a historic achievement: winning the PGL Major Antwerp 2022—his first Major victory—making him the oldest player to ever win a Counter-Strike Major at the time.

Biggest Tournament Wins

• 🏆 PGL Major Antwerp 2022 – 1st place, $500,000
• 🏆 ELEAGUE Premier 2017 – 1st place, $500,000
• 🏆 Intel Extreme Masters XVII – Cologne – 1st place, $400,000
• 🏆 Intel Extreme Masters XVI – Katowice – 1st place, $400,000
• 🏆 BLAST Premier: World Final 2023 – 2nd place, $250,000
• 🏆 CS Asia Championships 2023 – 1st place, $250,000
• 🏆 Thunderpick World Championship 2023 – 1st place, $250,000
• 🏆 ESL Pro League Season 10 – Finals – 1st place, $250,000
• 🏆 CS:GO Asia Championships 2019 – 1st place, $250,000
• 🏆 Esports Championship Series Season 4 – Finals – 1st place, $250,000
• 🏆 ESL Pro League Season 17 – 1st place, $200,000
• 🏆 ESL Pro League Season 15 – 1st place, $190,000

Notable Achievements

• Won a Major at the age of 32 (PGL Major Antwerp 2022)
• Became one of the longest-standing in-game leaders in Counter-Strike history
• Led multiple teams to international tournament victories
• Known for his strategic flexibility and ability to rebuild rosters
• Key contributor in FaZe Clan’s Intel Grand Slam victory

Awards and Recognition

• Recognized as one of the best in-game leaders in Counter-Strike history
• Consistently regarded as a key figure in the development of emerging talent
• MVP at FACEIT League 2015 Stage 1 Finals

Trivia

• Holds a master’s degree in business administration and auditing
• Was denied entry into the United States in 2016 for ELEAGUE Season 1 due to travel regulations
• Announced the passing of his brother in 2024 before a Major qualifier

FAQ – karrigan

What teams has karrigan played for?

He has played for Copenhagen Wolves, Team Dignitas, Team SoloMid, Astralis, Mousesports, and FaZe Clan.

What is karrigan known for?

He is recognized for his leadership, adaptability, and ability to rebuild teams into contenders.

Which Major did karrigan win?

He won the PGL Major Antwerp 2022.

Why was karrigan removed from Astralis?

Astralis opted for a leadership change in late 2016.

Has karrigan won the Intel Grand Slam?

Yes, he won the Intel Grand Slam during his second stint with FaZe Clan.

What is karrigan’s educational background?

He holds a master’s degree in business administration and auditing.

What was karrigan’s most notable career loss?

The ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018 Grand Final against Cloud9.

Who are some notable players karrigan has led?

Players include dev1ce, dupreeh, frozen, ropz, and rain.

What languages does karrigan speak?

He speaks Danish, German, and English fluently.