NertZ reveals: ENCE was the reason why the roster didn’t stay together
In an interview with Pley.gg, the Israeli rifler explains how he believes the Finnish organization failed to secure the powerful lineup. Pley.gg have also spoken with ENCE’s CEO, who doesn’t agree with his former player.
If it were up to Guy “NertZ” Iluz, the successful ENCE roster from 2023 would still exist. But as we all know that’s not the case today.
The IGL and captain Snappi took maden and SunPayus with him to Falcons, NertZ joined Heroic alongside sAw (head coach), while Dycha singlehandedly stayed on the ENCE-ship.
However, in an interview with Pley.gg, NertZ reveals that the players wanted to stick together and that it was the ENCE organization that caused the breakup, stating that there was a lack of communication and no long-term plan.
- I think everyone wanted to stay in ENCE. But some people took their time, and it was already too late. If I would answer why we did the roster change, I would say because of the organization. The organization caused it. To this day I still don’t know why it happened.
- In my opinion, it wasn't about the players. It was more about something that the players couldn’t control, NertZ says.
“Not a long-term project”
Even though NertZ were cautious about giving too many details about the situation, the Israelian rifler still elaborated:
- In ENCE I didn’t feel there was a long-term project, NertZ explains.
How was it not a long-term project?
- From July, the players we knew that something was going on. I still don’t know what happened back then, but we felt that maybe someone was getting benched or going to another team – like we didn’t know. We didn’t have any impact, I would say. That’s how I see it. In Heroic, I feel that’s different.
Was there a lack of communication from ENCE?
- Yeah.
A snowball came rolling
According to NertZ, Snappi and head coach Eetu “sAw” Saha were the first to make their decision to leave ENCE around October. Something that reduced his motivation to stay, but most importantly it caused a snowball effect in the team, NertZ describes.
- I think it was in October or something we understood that Snappi and sAw most likely wouldn’t continue with us. They were a really big part of our success, and when we understood 100% that they were going to leave, my motivation going forward was not the best. At that time, I got a couple of offers and that was when I started to look for other organizations.
- It was not because of me. I wanted to stay in ENCE. It was a snowball effect. It started with Snappi and sAw, to suddenly almost every player wanting to leave, basically.
ENCE and NertZ not seeing eye to eye
In a comment to Pley.gg, ENCE CEO, Mika Kuusisto, presents their perspective on the situation stating that the entire team was offered contract extensions.
- We have the utmost respect towards NertZ and can understand his frustration when the ENCE roster did not stick together. However, it's good to be aware that all players were offered extensions to their contracts, and there were extensive negotiations with all of them. NertZ himself chose not to sign the extension and we respect his decision. We are now fully focused on our new lineup, Kuusisto says and continues:
- I am personally disappointed to see players in esports sometimes trying to find reasons for roster splits from the organizations or external factors, when they themselves are making decisions whether to stay or leave when being offered new contracts, Kuusisto concludes.
NertZ are now playing for Heroic
A disappointing BLAST Premier World Final
In mid-December last year, ENCE were to compete at the BLAST Premier World Final in Abu Dhabi. ENCE entered the $1.000.000 event without Snappi and sAw, who in the meantime have announced their departure.
It was clear to see that something was going on behind the scenes in the ENCE camp with rumours and negotiations going on. Something that also damaged the team’s performance, as we saw them being eliminated as the first team.
- It was really hard for me because we have worked so hard as a team. Arriving as one of the best teams, but ending up as one of the worst in the tournament, felt really bad. I'm not blaming anyone. Because it was something that we couldn't control. It was annoying for me, and I felt bad for the entire tournament.
"To see it fall apart was just tilting"
NertZ was the last piece to the now-former ENCE lineup, joining Snappi and company back in February last year. The European roster climbed the ranks throughout 2023, with the tournament victory at IEM Dallas as their proudest moment.
Looking back on it, NertZ does not hide the fact that he feels sad about the lineup splitting up.
- It was so tough for me to lose this roster, I would say. Because we were one for each other the whole time, no matter what. We didn't blame someone for any failures to win. Like we just stick together. We were good teammates for each other. I feel like it’s so special when you build something with five players who all have the same mindset and are good friends. To see that fall apart was just tilting.
Despite everything said, NertZ found it really important to explain during the interview that there’s no bad blood between him and the ENCE organization. Quite the contrary in fact, as he stated:
- I want to say that I owe the world to ENCE – the entire organization. I like all of them, from top to bottom. They gave me an opportunity. But I would say we had some problems, as I’ve said.
NertZ also touched on why he ended up picking Heroic over other options on the market
- As I said, I had a couple of offers, but in the end I chose Heroic because they wanted to build a long-term thing. When I found out that sjuush, TeSes and kyxsan was on the roster, I knew that I wanted to join the team. I think that we can be top 1 in a year.
NertZ tweet
Following this article, NertZ posted this tweet about the interview:
