Spotlight on the Top 20: Astralis
The dominant Danes cemented their supremacy with another strong year.
In this series, we take a look at the teams that finished 2020 in the Top 20 rankings. Today we take a look at number 1.
Name: Astralis
Origin: Denmark
At the end of 2020, it looked like Astralis wouldn’t retain the title as the ruler of CS:GO. But as Astralis always do. They prove everyone wrong, and for the third year in a row, the device and company commenced the year on the top of the world rankings.
And once again, Astralis showed that they are true pioneers in the game of CS:GO. The Danes took advantage of severe temporary losses, to implement an innovative 6-man roster to overthrow their opponents but also to improve their player’s individual health.
Active roster:
Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth
Emil “Magisk” Reif
Nicolai “device” Reedtz
Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen
Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander
Lucas “Bubzkji” Andersen (6th man)
Transfers in 2020:
In: Jacob “JUGi” Hansen (North)
In: Patrick “es3tag” Hansen (Heroic)
In: Lucas “Bubzkji” Andersen (MAD Lions)
Out: Patrick “es3tag” Hansen (Cloud9)
Out: Jacob “JUGi” Hansen (Free agent)
In October, Astralis announced a "record-breaking transfer" of Patrick "es3tag" Hansen to Cloud9
Highlight of the year:
IEM Global Challenge – 1st HLTV world ranking
Astralis had to wait for the very final event of the year, to grab their biggest triumph of 2020. The Danes had won big events, but they haven’t taken home a so-called Grand Slam yet. Something they changed with their win at IEM Global Challenge. A completely dominant performance by device, helped Astralis to take down strong teams as Vitality, NAVI and eventually their everlasting rival Liquid, in the Grand Final.
The victory did not only offer a huge $200.000 prize earning, it ensured that Astralis would overwinter as the highest-ranked team. The crushing 3-0 Grand Final victory over Liquid, meant that Astralis dethroned ZywOo and Vitality on HLTV’s world ranking, placing the Danes on the very top.
Low point:
In May, shortly after the beginning of the online era, the two experienced Astralis players Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth and Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander decided to take a medical leave due to stress and burnout symptoms.
That meant, Astralis had to do without two of their most devoted warriors in their IGL and the dubbed “clutch-minister”. A duo which has represented the Danish team for ages and been two key factors for Astralis’ rise.
The Danish organization brought in Jacob “JUGi” Hansen from North and the former Heroic IGL Marco "Snappi" Pfeiffer as replacements. However, it was quickly shown that the new pair couldn’t fill out the shoes after Xyp9x and gla1ve, and it meant that the proud Danish team fell deeply on the world ranking.
The future:
gla1ve’s troops are still the team to beat in the world of competitive Counter-Strike, and something that doesn’t look to change any time soon. However, it will be exciting to follow Vitality and Astralis in the battle of the top spot, with especially their two respective 6-man rosters, which have been implemented recently.
The Danes will kick off their 2021-season at BLAST Premier Global Final when they will bump heads with the very elite of CS:GO, from 19th-24th of January.
Spotlight on the Top 20 (2-20):
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