Only Magisk left on Falcons roster following EU RMR dissapointment

This decision follows the team's underwhelming performance at the European Regional Major Ranking (EU RMR), where they failed to secure qualification for the upcoming Shanghai Major. Key players Marco "⁠Snappi⁠" Pfeiffer, Peter "⁠dupreeh⁠" Rasmussen, and Pavle "⁠Maden⁠" Bošković have been benched, while Oleksandr "⁠s1mple⁠" Kostyliev's short-term loan has officially ended.

Falcons' turbulent year

The 2024 season has been a challenging journey for Falcons, marked by persistent instability and unmet expectations. Despite a high-profile roster revamp at the end of 2023—bringing in experienced talents such as Snappi, Maden, and Álvaro "⁠SunPayus⁠" García, alongside Emil "⁠Magisk⁠" Reif—the team struggled to deliver results.

Under the guidance of legendary coach Danny "⁠zonic⁠" Sørensen, a five-time Major winner, Falcons initially aimed to solidify their presence among the elite. However, cracks appeared early, with inconsistent performances at key tournaments. The team suffered a significant blow when Mohammad "⁠BOROS⁠" Malhas, the last remaining player from the previous lineup, was benched following the failed PGL Copenhagen Major campaign.

A short-term gamble with s1mple

In a bid to turn things around, Falcons brought in s1mple on loan from Natus Vincere. His arrival temporarily filled the void left by SunPayus, yet the move failed to yield the desired impact. The team's woes persisted, culminating in a lackluster 1-3 record at the EU RMR. Falcons faced defeats against formidable opponents such as FaZe, SAW, and GamerLegion, showcasing a glaring lack of cohesion and firepower.

Dupreeh, brought in to add veteran stability, struggled to replicate his past form, raising questions about the overall team composition. Snappi’s tenure as the in-game leader (IGL) also came under scrutiny, as the squad could not establish a consistent playstyle.

A new chapter: Rebuilding for 2025

The decision to bench Snappi, dupreeh, and Maden underscores Falcons' commitment to a fresh start. While the organization has yet to unveil its complete roadmap for 2025, speculation abounds regarding potential signings. Reports indicate that Falcons have reached an agreement with Nikola "⁠NiKo⁠" Kovač, currently with G2 Esports, marking what could be one of the most significant transfers in CS2 history.

NiKo's addition could inject the much-needed star power and firepower Falcons have been lacking. Alban Dechelotte, G2’s CEO, hinted at this move during a recent interview, stating, "If we wanted to keep NiKo, we could have done so."

Challenges ahead for Magisk And zonic

The rebuilding process will center around Magisk, one of the team's few retained members. While Magisk has prior experience stepping into an IGL role, his willingness to assume this responsibility remains uncertain. Falcons’ future success will also depend heavily on zonic’s ability to craft a competitive and synergistic roster.

Zonic has previously emphasized transparency in managing team dynamics, as seen in his comments during ESL Challenger Katowice: "A lot of the players, they know that next year might be different." This approach could prove pivotal in maintaining morale and fostering a winning culture within the team.

Falcons’ current lineup

As of now, Falcons' roster comprises the following:

The benched players include:

By addressing their roster weaknesses and incorporating high-impact players like NiKo, Falcons aim to reclaim their competitive edge and establish themselves as a top-tier CS2 team in the coming year.