Flames version 3: We are on another level than before
A new Copenhagen Flames roster saw the light of day with the announcement of the new lineup yesterday.
Can they do it again? Copenhagen Flames has been a fairytale story with their two impressive runs at PGL Stockholm and Antwerp, where the Danish underdogs made it all the way to the playoffs at the latest Major in Belgium. Since then the team has been picked apart by the likes of Heroic and Fnatic, while in-game leader Rasmus "HooXi" Nielsen is the favorite to take over the reigns at G2. But can the Flames manage to gather another team and take them to the top?
CEO and co-owner of Copenhagen Flames, Steffen Thomsen finds himself in familiar territory, where a new roster has to be put together from scratch. But unlike before, the starting point is not anything near zero.
“We are at another place than before. Our success in the past year has elevated us to a new place both in terms of economy and reputation”.
The signing of Iulian "regali" Harjău underlines the statement.
“We have found a player, that we believe we can turn into a superstar,” Steffen Thomsen explains and calls the transfer “the perhaps biggest in the history of Copenhagen Flames”.
With the addition of Rasmus "raalz" Steensborg, Thomas "birdfromsky" Due Frederiksen, Johannes "b0RUP" Borup, and Thomas "TMB" Bundsbæk, the experience of the roster is definitely far beyond any previous Copenhagen Flames lineups.
Professionalization on and off the server
Version 3 of Copenhagen Flames will also mark the beginning of a new era for the Organization. Money will be invested into creating the perfect setup for the team to succeed in the future.
“We will make sure, that all the players have the right plan made for them to be able to perform the best way possible. We will also have a bigger focus on data, and how we can utilize this. We will also look to improve our tech department, where we aim to be among the best.”
There will also be changes in the coaching staff. Daniel "Vorborg" Vorborg switched to Evil Geniuses earlier this summer, and while Steffen Thomsen initially thought, that he would take over the position as head coach, he quickly felt it necessary to find a replacement.
“We have signed Benjamin "Cube" Stabell from Fnatic Rising as a coach for the team. He is one of the most exciting prospects on the Danish coaching scene, so we see this as a very good solution”.
With the improved setup and the promising lineup in mind, the expectations from the management of Copenhagen Flames could be sky high. But like in the past, Steffen Thomsen and the rest of Copenhagen Flames have patience with the project.
“We don’t have any deadlines of when the team is supposed to peak. We hope to qualify for IEM Rio, but it might be a little bit too soon. In general, the most important thing is, that we work according to the plan that we made.”
The new Copenhagen Flames roster is:
Rasmus "raalz" Steensborg
Thomas "birdfromsky" Due Frederiksen
Johannes "b0RUP" Borup
Thomas "TMB" Bundsbæk
Iulian "regali" Harjău
