FUT Esports pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the CS Asia Championships 2025 so far, toppling FaZe Clan 13–11 on Mirage in a tight best-of-one opener. The Turkish-backed European squad showed grit and firepower, handing FaZe a wake-up call just days after their top-four finish at ESL Pro League.

FUT shock FaZe with an upset win on Mirage 🔥 pic.twitter.com/l3vr2uDjHz

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) October 14, 2025

A Shocking Start in Shanghai

FaZe came into Shanghai riding high from their strong ESL Pro League run, where Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken made a successful return to the roster. But just two days after wrapping up their European campaign, the team looked fatigued in their CAC debut.

FUT Esports took full advantage, battling through a scrappy game where both sides struggled to convert on their T sides. Despite only managing three attacking rounds in the first half, FUT’s defence proved rock solid, led by standout performances from Nikita “cmtry” Samolotov, Džiugas “dziugss” Steponavičius, and newcomer Laurențiu “lauNX” Țârlea, each racking up close to 100 ADR.

jcobbb Returns, But FUT Hold Strong

FaZe’s roster shuffle also came into play. Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski was back in the lineup after sitting out the ESL Pro League due to roster restrictions, with veteran Håvard “rain” Nygaard stepping aside for this event. The change disrupted some of FaZe’s rhythm, though jcobbb still put in a decent showing with 17 kills.

On the other side, FUT’s Dmytro “dem0n” Myroshnychenko stole the spotlight, dropping 21 kills and posting a 1.57 rating in the win. His clutch holds and consistency gave FUT the edge they needed to close out the game 13–11.

Community Reactions: “We Beat FaZe!”

FUT fans erupted online following the win, flooding X (formerly Twitter) with celebratory posts. The team’s official account simply repeated the chant heard across timelines:

“WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE!”

WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE WE BEAT FAZE pic.twitter.com/tQm1GEQs9X

— FUT Esports (@FUTesportsgg) October 14, 2025

Turkish esports fans joined in with memes and chants under the #FUTWIN hashtag, while TRCS Esports and several players from the region shared their pride in the underdog victory. One fan even joked, “FAZE KİM MEYVESUYU MARKASİ Mİ?”, roughly meaning, “Who are FaZe, a juice brand?”

Meanwhile, the HLTV forums lit up with debate. Some fans excused FaZe’s loss due to travel fatigue and limited prep time, while others questioned the team’s direction under long-time IGL Finn “karrigan” Andersen. Critics pointed to the team’s recurring early-stage stumbles, with one fan writing, “When have FaZe ever been good in group stages?”

What’s Next for FaZe and FUT

For FUT Esports, this win marks a statement moment, proof that their rebuilt lineup can challenge tier-one opposition on LAN. It’s a massive morale boost as they continue through the CS Asia Championships group stage.

FaZe, on the other hand, will look to bounce back quickly. With fatigue, travel, and lineup swaps all in the mix, they’ll need to regroup fast to stay in contention in Shanghai.

Whether this loss is just a blip or a warning sign remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear, FUT have officially arrived on the global Counter-Strike stage.

The post FUT Esports Stun FaZe in CS Asia Championships Opener appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FaZe Clan have confirmed that Håvard “rain” Nygaard will return to the team’s starting lineup for the remainder of ESL Pro League Season 22. The move comes after the organisation’s recent forfeit against G2 Esports, following a disagreement with ESL over roster eligibility rules.

Well, that didn’t last too long.

See you soon @FaZe_rainCS! pic.twitter.com/1vh6yXgrNA

— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) October 4, 2025

The Norwegian veteran replaces Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski, who will temporarily move to the bench. According to FaZe, rain’s inclusion ensures the team complies with ESL’s rulebook, which requires that at least three members from the roster listed in the July 7 ESL ranking update remain active. Rain was part of that original lineup, making him a necessary piece for FaZe to continue their EPL campaign without further conflict.

FaZe’s current roster for the event now consists of:

• Finn “karrigan” Andersen
• David “frozen” Čerňanský
• Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken
• Helvijs “broky” Saukants
• Håvard “rain” Nygaard
• Filip “NEO” Kubski (coach)

Once ESL Pro League concludes, rain will step back to the bench, and jcobbb is expected to rejoin the starting five for the CS Asia Championships.

Background: The G2 Forfeit Controversy

The decision to bring rain back followed FaZe’s unexpected forfeit of their opening match against G2. The incident sparked major community discussion, with fans criticising both FaZe and ESL for the situation. ESL’s strict rule regarding player retention prevented FaZe from using jcobbb, who had only recently joined the lineup.

Many fans took to forums and social media to react. Some saw the move as a “management masterclass,” while others sympathised with jcobbb, calling his benching “sad” after he performed decently in his debut tournament. “He only got one week to prove himself at Tier 1,” one commenter wrote. Others, however, felt the decision was justified, with another fan joking, “The ‘C’ in FaZe Clan stays for cinema.”

A Veteran’s Return

Despite the drama, the return of rain has reignited nostalgia among fans who remember FaZe’s dominant years. Known as one of the longest-serving players in the roster, his presence adds experience and leadership to the squad. For some, this moment feels like “nostalgia farming like it’s 2022 again.”

As FaZe resume their ESL Pro League journey, the spotlight now shifts to how the team performs with rain back in the mix. Whether this change brings stability or more controversy remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, FaZe are once again the talk of the Counter-Strike scene.

The post FaZe Bring rain Back for ESL Pro League After Lineup Dispute appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FaZe Clan has made one of its biggest Counter-Strike 2 roster changes yet, benching veteran rifler Håvard “rain” Nygaard after almost ten years with the team. The move clears the way for Canadian star Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken to return to the starting five, just months after rejoining the organisation from Team Liquid.

After 3541 days on our CS roster, we have made the very difficult decision to move rain to the bench.

Håvard remains a world class player and his career is far from over. We are so grateful for the memories we made together, and you will always be a legend in our FaZe family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xrgLkiHrp8

— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) September 29, 2025

Rain joined FaZe back in January 2016, becoming a cornerstone of the squad through its many highs and lows. Across nearly a decade, the Norwegian rifler collected 19 trophies, including the PGL Antwerp Major in 2022, an Intel Grand Slam, and ESL Pro League Season 17. He was also named MVP at four tournaments and featured three times in HLTV’s Top 20 players of the year, peaking at 13th in 2022.

In a heartfelt statement on X, rain thanked his teammates, coaches, and fans for “countless memories, amazing matches, and trophies we have lifted.” He added that representing FaZe had been an honour, but made it clear that he has no intention of retiring from CS2.

🫡 pic.twitter.com/IkqUT4eL25

— Håvard Nygaard (@FaZe_rainCS) September 29, 2025

“My journey in CS2 is far from over. I’m not retiring. I will keep competing and growing as a player. I’m open to offers for any role, and while stepping into the IGL role would be a new challenge for me, it’s one I’m eager to embrace,” rain said.

FaZe Looks Ahead With Twistzz

Rain’s departure comes during a period of heavy roster changes for FaZe in 2025. The team recently parted ways with Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski and signed Polish rifler Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski from Betclic. With Twistzz back in the mix, the team is hoping to find stability after more than a year without a major title.

Twistzz previously spent three years with FaZe before leaving for Liquid in 2023. Now returning to familiar ground, he’ll line up alongside in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen, David “frozen” Čerňanský, Helvijs “broky” Saukants, and jcobbb, with legendary coach Filip “NEO” Kubski still at the helm.

FaZe’s next challenge is ESL Pro League Season 22 Stage 2, which kicks off on October 4. Currently ranked 12th in the Valve Regional Standings, the team is on course to qualify for the StarLadder Budapest Major this November. Strong results in Pro League could secure their spot and set the tone for the rest of the season.

For rain, this marks the end of an era but potentially the start of a new chapter. Whether he embraces the IGL role or finds a fresh opportunity elsewhere, one thing is clear: his story in Counter-Strike 2 is far from finished.

The post FaZe Clan Benches rain After Nearly a Decade, appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Team Liquid fans can breathe a sigh of relief, Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski is back in blue. The American rifler has been submitted as the fifth player on Liquid’s Counter-Strike 2 roster for Fragadelphia Blocktober, confirming his long-rumoured return.

He’s coming home. Welcome @EliGE back to Team Liquid CS 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/bUm9IPPMQz

— Team Liquid CS (@TeamLiquidCS) September 25, 2025

The event, which takes place in Philadelphia from 2–5 October 2025, will see EliGE fill the gap left by Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken. Twistzz departed Liquid earlier this month to rejoin FaZe Clan, the team he left back in 2020.

This marks a homecoming for EliGE, who previously spent eight years with Liquid between 2015 and 2023, cementing himself as one of the organisation’s most iconic players. His return follows a turbulent stint with FaZe Clan, where he was benched in August after Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski joined the line-up. Despite averaging a solid 1.11 rating during his eight-month run, FaZe struggled to find consistent results.

A Familiar Face for a Team in Transition

EliGE’s return comes at a crucial time for Team Liquid. The squad has been fighting to hold onto a top-32 ranking throughout 2025 and keep their hopes alive for a spot at November’s StarLadder Budapest Major.

Liquid’s run at FISSURE Playground 2 earlier this month showed signs of resilience. Even with Twistzz’s departure mid-event, they secured a top-four finish and vital Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points. With EliGE slotting back into the roster, Liquid are looking to solidify their path to Major qualification.

The full line-up for Fragadelphia Blocktober is:

• Keith “NAF” Markovic (Canada)
• Guy “NertZ” Iluz (Israel)
• Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak (Poland)
• Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek (Poland)
• Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski (United States)

Looking Ahead

Before heading to Philadelphia, Liquid will compete at the Birch Cup in Gdansk, Poland from 26–28 September. The $15,000 LAN will be the first chance to see EliGE back in Liquid colours before their biggest test at Fragadelphia.

While Liquid has yet to make an official announcement, the roster registration alone is enough to get fans excited. For many, seeing EliGE back with Liquid feels like a much-needed reset during what has been a rocky year for the team. If they can deliver strong results at Birch Cup and Fragadelphia, their Major dreams could be back on track.

The post EliGE Returns to Team Liquid for Fragadelphia Blocktober appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

In one of the biggest surprises of the Counter-Strike 2 season, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken is officially back with FaZe Clan. The Canadian rifler’s return was confirmed just days after Team Liquid announced his departure, leaving fans stunned and speculation swirling about FaZe’s roster.

HE’S COMING HOME

Welcome back @Twistzz 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/jkupGup8PV

— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) September 13, 2025

Twistzz will rejoin FaZe in time for ESL Pro League Season 22, marking the start of his second stint with the team. His first run with the European super squad, from 2021 to 2023, was the most successful period of his career. During that time, Twistzz lifted a Major trophy, won IEM Katowice and Cologne, secured the Intel Grand Slam, and made HLTV’s Top 20 Players list three years in a row.

The 25-year-old parted ways with FaZe at the end of 2023, citing contract delays and a desire to play under a younger leader. He signed with Liquid soon after but endured a rocky two years as the team struggled through constant roster changes. His brief stint as an in-game leader also failed to produce results, with Liquid now in danger of missing out on the StarLadder Budapest Major.

Liquid confirmed Twistzz’s exit following their current run at FISSURE Playground 2, thanking him for his dedication and adaptability. The announcement came as a shock to fans, especially with the tournament still underway and no replacement yet named for the departing star.

After two years back on Team Liquid, @Twistzz will be transferring from our team at the end of Fissure.

We want to thank Russ for his flexibility, adapting to the roles we needed him in and working hard to achieve his best every time he joined the server 💙 pic.twitter.com/vqjgfucrYG

— Team Liquid CS (@TeamLiquidCS) September 13, 2025

On X, Twistzz shared his excitement about returning “home” to FaZe. “Feeling speechless the last days. After Fissure I will make a longer post. As for now, I’m very happy and thankful to reunite with the organisation and the players,” he wrote.

Home. Joined @FaZeClan

Feeling speechless the last days. After Fissure I will make a longer post. As for now, I’m very happy and thankful to reunite with the organization and the players.

Going to focus on the current event and get this roster some points before exiting.… https://t.co/bW5ZKIZpSJ

— Russel van Dulken (@Twistzz) September 13, 2025

FaZe’s roster now lists Twistzz alongside Finn “karrigan” Andersen, Håvard “rain” Nygaard, David “frozen” Čerňanský, Helvijs “broky” Saukants, and Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski, with Filip “NEO” Kubski continuing as coach. But it remains unclear who will make way for Twistzz on the active lineup.

The uncertainty has sparked huge debate across the CS2 community. Many believe jcobbb, who only joined last month, could already be on the chopping block after FaZe’s underwhelming BLAST Open London run. Others suggest long-time veteran rain could step aside, especially with rumours that he may retire to spend more time with his family.

For now, FaZe fans are simply thrilled to see Twistzz back in black and red. His firepower and proven synergy with the roster could be exactly what the team needs to reignite their form after a series of disappointing results. With ESL Pro League around the corner, all eyes will be on FaZe to see if Twistzz’s homecoming can spark another golden era.

The post Twistzz Makes Shock Return to FaZe Clan Ahead of ESL Pro League appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Team Liquid were defeated by VP.Prodigy, the academy roster of Virtus.pro, at the RES Showdown 2: BLAST Premier Rising Event. The match ended with a disappointing 2-1 loss for Liquid, who were expected to make easy work of their underdog opponents. The young VP.Prodigy squad, with an average age of just 17.6, stunned the seasoned veterans of Team Liquid, showcasing the rise of fresh talent in competitive CS2.

A Rocky Start for Liquid

Liquid entered the event as the favourites, boasting a high ranking and a wealth of experience. With the top spot at BLAST Open London on the line, the pressure was on. But what should’ve been a routine victory turned into an embarrassing defeat. Liquid lost their first match in the eight-team qualifier, with the upset starting on Dust II, where VP.Prodigy took the map 13-7.

A brief glimmer of hope appeared when Liquid dominated Mirage, winning 13-2. However, that was quickly crushed in Nuke, where Liquid’s collapse in overtime. From a commanding 5v3 advantage in the final round, they let the match slip away, with VP.Prodigy pulling off a successful B-site retake to seal a 16-14 victory.

😭 LIQUID JUST LOST AN ENTIRE BO3 TO AN ACADEMY TEAM pic.twitter.com/BFgrXkNH7Y

— CS2 NEWS (@CS2News_EN) August 1, 2025

A Team in Disarray

Following the loss, Liquid’s performance, or rather lack of it, raised serious questions about their internal cohesion. Viktor ‘flashie’ Tamás Bea, the new coach from NaVi, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a broken team. Despite joining at the start of the ‘Rostermania’ period, flashie’s new job has quickly become a headache.

In an honest interview, flashie admitted, “After joining and being inside the team, I can see that there is a lack of system and a lack of fundamentals.” These comments underline the severity of the issues within Team Liquid. The lack of a solid game plan and the absence of team unity were on full display during their defeat to an academy roster.

Twistzz Calls

Following the crushing loss, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken took to social media, sharing his frustration with the team’s performance.

Sorry to the fans for the terrible performance in the past weeks

— Russel van Dulken (@Twistzz) August 1, 2025

Liquid’s Struggles Continue

With this loss, Team Liquid’s hopes of securing enough points for the Starladder 2025 Budapest Major are hanging by a thread. Currently ranked #25, Liquid need a major turnaround to secure a spot at the major. VP.Prodigy, by contrast, are not even ranked, but their victory will undoubtedly turn heads.

Despite the disappointment, Liquid still have time to correct themselves, but if this performance is any indication, there’s a lot of work to be done. It’s now up to flashie to inspire his team to rediscover their identity and prove they can compete at the highest level once again.

The post Team Liquid Humbled by an Academy Team VP.Prodigy appeared first on Shane the Gamer.