3DMAX have signed Jeremy “Kursy” Gast as a rifler, the French organisation confirmed on Wednesday 24 June 2026, with the 24-year-old taking the active roster spot vacated by Pierre “Ex3rcice” Bulinge, who was benched earlier the same day. The signing ends a nine-month period of inactivity for Kursy, who last competed with GamerLegion before being dropped.

La pièce manquante 🧩@Kursycs2 rejoint officiellement notre équipe Counter-Strike en tant que rifle.

Bienvenue Jeremy. #DevilNeverDies pic.twitter.com/7fkAMj7jI3

— Team 3DMAX (@3DMAXGaming) June 24, 2026

His first appearance in a 3DMAX jersey is set for 1 July 2026 at XSE Pro League 2026, where the squad faces Ninjas in Pyjamas in the opening round.

Kursy Returns To A Rifle Role After Nine Months Out

Kursy moves into 3DMAX as a rifler rather than the AWP position he held at GamerLegion. Bryan “Maka” Canda remains the team’s primary sniper, so Kursy returns to the rifle role he occupied earlier in his career.

His GamerLegion tenure ended on a low note. He averaged a 0.95 rating across the stint before being benched, then spent nine months inactive while waiting for another opportunity. The 3DMAX move is his first official roster spot since that exit.

3DMAX framed the addition with a short social post, describing Kursy as “the missing piece” and confirming he joins the Counter-Strike team as a rifler.

3DMAX’s Updated Counter-Strike Roster

Ex3rcice, 26, was moved to the bench earlier on Wednesday as part of the changes heading into the second half of the 2026 season. The organisation has not given a reason for the benching or further detail on his status, and no integration timeline or additional roster moves were indicated alongside the announcement.

The active French lineup now reads:

Community Reaction To The Signing

The announcement drew a largely positive response from the Counter-Strike community. French fans welcomed Kursy back to the server, with messages including “Welcome #DevilNeverDies” and “Bonne chance Jeremy”, while some supporters hoped the change could help 3DMAX regain momentum after an inconsistent season. A few jokingly compared him to ZywOo, calling him the “French ZywOo from Wish”.

Others were less convinced. Some questioned replacing Ex3rcice, framing the move as a downgrade, and others asked why the org had picked a player coming off such a long layoff. With Maka staying on as the team’s AWPer, Kursy’s switch back from sniper to rifler stands out as one of the bigger storylines to watch.

What Comes Next For 3DMAX

For 3DMAX, the signing is another attempt to firm up a roster that struggled to break into Europe’s top tier through the first half of 2026. For Kursy, it is a restart after months away from official play. Whether the role change works gets its first test on 1 July, when the French side opens its XSE Pro League 2026 campaign against Ninjas in Pyjamas.

The post Kursy Joins 3DMAX As Rifler, Replacing Benched Ex3rcice Ahead Of XSE Pro League appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FaZe Veteran Leads 100 Thieves’ Counter-Strike Comeback

Håvard “rain” Nygaard, one of the longest-serving and most respected players in Counter-Strike history, is reportedly joining 100 Thieves as the organisation prepares a major return to Counter-Strike 2.

According to a report from Dust2.dk, the deal with the Norwegian star has already been signed, marking the first confirmed piece of 100 Thieves’ new lineup and the org’s long-awaited re-entry into the scene after five years away.

rain Becomes the Cornerstone of a New Era

Rain’s arrival is seen as the cornerstone of 100 Thieves’ rebuild. Sources say his contract depends on the team assembling a competitive core, with three players from GamerLegion identified as key targets.

Russian insider Aleksei “OverDrive” Birukov claims 100 Thieves are looking to construct a lineup with an established foundation, rather than a risky experimental mix.

While his role hasn’t been officially defined, rain has said he’s open to new challenges, including stepping into an in-game leader (IGL) position, something that could help guide a young roster and solidify the project’s structure.

From FaZe Icon to 100 Thieves Leader

For rain, this move closes a monumental chapter. After nearly a decade with FaZe Clan, close to 2,000 maps played, and countless international titles, including a Major MVP award, he departs as one of Counter-Strike’s true greats.

His calm consistency, experience, and leadership make him an ideal figure to lead a new generation, and his presence alone could help 100 Thieves attract additional top-tier names.

100 Thieves Return After Five Years Away

Founded by Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag, 100 Thieves first entered CS:GO with an Australian roster that reached the IEM Beijing 2019 grand final and climbed to fifth in the HLTV world rankings.

The organisation exited Counter-Strike in 2020, citing the instability of the scene and challenges in maintaining an international team. But rumours of a comeback have circulated for years, and in 2024, 100 Thieves president Jacob Toft-Andersen confirmed that returning to CS2 was a serious goal for the company.

With rain’s reported signing, that goal looks closer than ever.

League of Legends Focus Shifts as CS2 Project Builds

The timing comes shortly after 100 Thieves’ League of Legends team bowed out of Worlds 2025, falling to Faker’s dominant T1 roster.

We lost to the back-to-back-to-back-to-back Worlds Finalists. https://t.co/YnXIRI8zxK

— 100 Thieves League of Legends (@100T_LoL) November 2, 2025

While the organisation remains fully active in League, their early exit may have opened the door to refocus on other esports ventures. With Counter-Strike 2 thriving and attracting renewed global attention, it looks like 100 Thieves see now as the perfect moment to expand their competitive reach once again.

Community Buzz and Speculation

Fans and pros alike have been quick to react online, flooding HLTV forums and social media with speculation about potential line-ups.

Suggestions range from REZ, PR, and Tauson joining rain, to more wild proposals involving s1mple, stewie2k, or degster. While opinions are mixed, the sentiment is clear: 100 Thieves’ return, led by a player of rain’s calibre, has already reignited excitement across the CS2 community.

What’s Next

No official announcement has been made yet by 100 Thieves, Nadeshot, or rain. Still, the reliability of the sources and consistency of reports make this one of the most credible transfer stories of late 2025.

If finalised, this roster could mark one of the biggest competitive returns in modern Counter-Strike, bringing 100 Thieves back into the spotlight and giving North American fans another team to rally behind.

The post FaZe Star rain Reportedly Joins 100 Thieves as Org Plans Counter-Strike 2 Return appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

German esports organisation GamerLegion has announced a brand-new partnership with online casino and sportsbook LEON.Bet, marking an exciting new chapter for both brands in the world of competitive gaming.

We’re thrilled to team up with @LeonBet_Esports as the Official Sportsbook Partner of GamerLegion.
Get ready for exclusive content, fresh activations and an unforgettable season together. pic.twitter.com/dgACqaTXvT

— GamerLegion (@GamerLegion) October 23, 2025

A Major Partnership Announcement

Officially unveiled on October 23rd, 2025, the collaboration will see GamerLegion and LEON.Bet work together on a range of exclusive content, fresh activations, and fan-focused experiences throughout the upcoming season.

While financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, the partnership highlights GamerLegion’s continued effort to strengthen its brand presence through strategic collaborations with major global companies. LEON.Bet now joins GamerLegion’s growing roster of partners, which already includes names like Skin.Club and Shikenso Analytics.

In an official post, GamerLegion shared their excitement, saying they’re “thrilled to team up with LEON.Bet Esports as the Official Sportsbook Partner,” promising fans “an unforgettable season together.”

Expanding LEON.Bet’s Esports Footprint

For LEON.Bet, this partnership represents yet another step in its expanding involvement within the esports industry. The sportsbook has been steadily building its presence across multiple regions, with previous partnerships including Swedish organisation 9INE, Portugal’s SAW, Australia’s FlyQuest, and Brazil’s NFA.

Operating under its esports arm LEON Esports, the brand has become known for supporting professional teams and hosting its own tournaments across popular titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Free Fire, and Deadlock.

Through its collaboration with GamerLegion, LEON aims to deliver exclusive betting markets, social media giveaways, and special fan events, engaging both gaming enthusiasts and sports bettors in new ways.

GamerLegion’s Rising Momentum

GamerLegion, based in Germany, has earned its place among the top esports organisations in Europe. Best known for its Counter-Strike 2 roster, the team currently sits at 15th place in Valve’s October Regional Standings and has qualified for the upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major, set to take place from November 24th to December 14th, 2025.

The organisation also fields teams in other titles, including Age of Empires, where it famously won the World Desert Championship 2 in 2021. This cross-genre success showcases GamerLegion’s commitment to excellence across multiple competitive fronts.

Betting Meets Esports: A Growing Trend

This deal also underscores a broader industry shift in 2025, as more betting companies move into the esports scene.

Earlier this year, Team Vitality announced a seven-figure partnership with Stake, while HEROIC teamed up with Razed to support both its main and academy CS2 squads. In parallel, betting technology providers like BEBTY have expanded their coverage of esports titles, giving fans more ways to engage with their favourite games.

With LEON.Bet’s entry into GamerLegion’s ecosystem, fans can expect innovative campaigns that bridge competitive gaming and betting entertainment, blending the thrill of esports with the excitement of wagering.

The Future Looks Bright

Both GamerLegion and LEON.Bet are poised to make a major impact on the 2025–2026 esports season. As the partnership unfolds, fans can look forward to new content, giveaways, and special opportunities that will further connect the two communities.

Whether you’re a dedicated CS2 follower or an esports betting enthusiast, this collaboration promises to deliver a new level of engagement and entertainment.

The post GamerLegion Teams Up with LEON.Bet appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A High-Stakes Start in Bucharest

The stage is set for PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, with the tournament’s opening matches officially confirmed. Running from October 26 to November 1, the $1,250,000 Counter-Strike 2 event will be hosted at the PGL Studios in Bucharest, Romania, featuring 16 teams battling it out in a Swiss format before heading into the eight-team playoffs and a best-of-five grand final.

The tournament serves as one of the final Tier 1 events before the upcoming Budapest Major, giving teams a crucial chance to refine their form and build confidence.

Legacy vs Liquid Headlines Opening Day

Fresh off their victory at the CS Asia Championship 2025, Legacy enter Bucharest riding a wave of momentum and will open the tournament against Team Liquid in what’s shaping up to be a thrilling rematch.

Legacy have quickly become one of South America’s rising forces after their win in Shanghai, and this match against a resurgent Liquid, now led by Jonathan “ELiGE” Jablonowski, will test whether their recent success can translate onto European soil.

For Liquid, this is another opportunity to prove that their rebuilt roster can hang with the best. Fans are already hyped for the clash, which kicks off on October 26 at 8AM UTC.

Opening Day Lineup: Big Names, Big Battles

The opening round will feature a packed schedule of matches, with global representation from Brazil, Europe, and Oceania. Here’s the full list of opening-day fixtures:

October 26, 2025 (Saturday)

• 08:00 UTC – Legacy vs Team Liquid
• 08:00 UTC – paiN Gaming vs Gentle Mates
• 11:00 UTC – GamerLegion vs FlyQuest
• 11:00 UTC – HEROIC vs Ninjas in Pyjamas
• 14:00 UTC – 3DMAX vs SAW
• 14:00 UTC – BetBoom vs MIBR

October 27, 2025 (Sunday)

• 17:00 UTC – Aurora Gaming vs Fnatic
• 17:00 UTC – Astralis vs B8

🇷🇴 The Day 1 schedule of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 is here! 🗓️

📅 October 26 – November 1
💰 $1,250,000 in winnings
🎮 16 teams
📍 PGL Studios#PGLMasters pic.twitter.com/mcwjAcJph6

— PGL (@pglesports) October 20, 2025

Fan Reactions: Time Zones and Sleep Schedules

While excitement for PGL Masters Bucharest is high, the global CS2 community had plenty to say about the match timings.
Brazilian fans were quick to note that both Legacy and paiN Gaming will be playing at 5AM local time, making it tough for South American viewers to tune in live.

“I’d love to watch these matches, but I’m not waking up at 5AM on a Sunday for a Tier 2 tournament,” one fan wrote on HLTV, sparking a lighthearted debate about dedication versus practicality.

Others, however, were quick to defend the schedule, pointing out that the matches are aligned with local Romanian time zones. As one commenter put it, “You do realise that match times are according to the location of the tournament, right? Before blaming PGL?”

Fans in Europe and Oceania, meanwhile, were much happier with the timing, with one Australian user joking, “7PM for me – good time to eat dinner and watch from 8PM.”

Aurora and GamerLegion Seek Redemption

Among the most anticipated storylines are Aurora Gaming and GamerLegion, both looking to bounce back after inconsistent results.

Aurora enter Bucharest as the highest-ranked team in attendance, but their recent form has been shaky, placing mid-table at events like ESL Pro League and the Thunderpick World Championship. Their first challenge will be Fnatic, the current Fragadelphia Blocktober champions, in what promises to be a fiery match.

Meanwhile, GamerLegion face FlyQuest, a rising team from the Asia-Pacific region. Despite once being a top European contender, GamerLegion’s recent struggles could make this a surprisingly tight series.

What’s at Stake

With a massive $625,000 first-place prize on the line, every match at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 counts. The event also serves as a critical momentum builder heading into November’s Budapest Major, where many of these same teams will compete again.

Given their recent form and hunger for a Tier 1 breakthrough, Legacy may well be the team to watch once again. Their fans would love nothing more than to see back-to-back trophies added to their cabinet before year’s end.

The post PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Opening Matches Revealed With Legacy to Clash with Liquid in Early Rematch appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The MongolZ have done it, the Mongolian powerhouse has claimed the Counter-Strike 2 Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC) trophy in Riyadh, sweeping Aurora 3-0 in the grand final to secure their first-ever Big Event title.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ESPORTS WORLD CUP 2025!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the families of our players. You raised these kind and healthy young boys. Today, they are coming home to you with the EWC trophy. This victory belongs to you just as much as it… pic.twitter.com/OtJkj7jpmn

— The MongolZ (@1mongolz) August 24, 2025

It’s a milestone moment for a team that’s been knocking on the door all year. Before this, The MongolZ’s only major win was YaLLa Compass 2024, but now they’ve cemented themselves as one of CS2’s elite.

The road to the final

The EWC 2025 was a brutal sprint. Sixteen teams battled it out in a single-elimination format, packed into just five days. Every round felt like a high-stakes clash, and The MongolZ thrived under the pressure.

They started strong against GamerLegion and 3DMAX, before facing their toughest challenge yet: Team Vitality. The French side had been dominant earlier this year, famously denying The MongolZ the BLAST.tv Austin Major trophy. But this time, it was different.

Vitality managed to grab Dust II, but the Mongolian squad came alive on Nuke with a crushing 10–2 first half, eventually closing out the series and knocking their rivals out of contention.

The semifinal win felt like a statement: The MongolZ were no longer outsiders, they were favourites.

The only team to beat Vitality twice @1mongolz 🇲🇳 pic.twitter.com/2U1WQ6kh1m

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) August 23, 2025

Aurora’s run cut short

Aurora had their own rollercoaster journey. After a big upset over Team Falcons in the semis, the Turkish lineup arrived in the final with plenty of confidence. XANTARES and woxic delivered some huge plays on Mirage, forcing overtime, but it wasn’t enough.

The MongolZ clawed back map one before tightening the screws on Dust II, where they read MAJ3R’s calls like a book. Even Wicadia’s flashy Desert Eagle quad kill couldn’t shift the momentum.

By the time the action moved to Nuke, it was clear who the better side was. Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch put the exclamation mark on the series with a clinical 1v3 AWP clutch, while Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold’s Desert Eagle triple shattered Aurora’s second-half hopes. The 13-4 closer sealed the 3-0 sweep.

The MongolZ defeat Aurora 3:0 to win the Esports World Cup! pic.twitter.com/EoNWr7JM5L

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) August 24, 2025

Upsets and surprises

The MongolZ’s victory might have felt inevitable, but EWC 2025 was anything but predictable elsewhere.

• Vitality’s downfall – After dominating the first half of 2025, apEX’s crew fell flat. They lost to The MongolZ in the semis and then to Team Falcons in the third-place decider.
• Falcons’ inconsistency – True to form, Falcons mixed brilliance with chaos. They toppled MOUZ but crashed out against Aurora before redeeming themselves against Vitality for bronze.
• Spirit stumble early – Fresh off wins at IEM Cologne and BLAST Bounty Fall, Team Spirit looked unstoppable… until they were sent packing by HEROIC in their opener.
• NAVI’s shock exit – 3DMAX stunned NAVI with a dominant Inferno finish, handing Aleksib’s team another painful early exit.

A new era for Asia

For years, Asian Counter-Strike has struggled to break into the tier-one scene. Now, The MongolZ have delivered a moment of history, lifting a Big Event trophy on the world stage.

Their journey isn’t done either. With BLAST Open Fall 2025 kicking off later this week, the Mongolian squad will be heading into the next challenge with momentum, confidence, and a shiny new EWC title to their name.

Esports fans wanted surprises, drama, and clutch plays, and EWC 2025 delivered all of that and more. But at the end of the day, the story belongs to The MongolZ.

The post The MongolZ Dominate Aurora 3-0 to Win CS2 EWC 2025 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.