Inner Circle approach the start of ESL Pro League Season 22 with a new lineup, built around the former TNL five. For the team, this will be their first LAN under the new tag, and for the organization — another chance to secure a place on the international stage. The debut encounter against 3DMAX will be a true test for the Ukrainian squad.
CURRENT INNER CIRCLE ROSTER AT THE START OF THE TOURNAMENT
The Ukrainians will enter the tournament with the following roster:
- Viktor “onic” Babii
- Artem “cairne” Mushynskyi
- David “Dawy” Bibik
- Artem “Flierax” Khioara
- Dmytro “nifee” Tediashvili
- Dmytro “jR” Chervak (coach)
The team opted for a local roster after a series of unsuccessful experiments with mixes. Now Inner Circle are aiming for stability and long-term development.
A LOOK AT THE START AGAINST 3DMAX
Their first opponent is the French squad 3DMAX, who currently hold 13th place in the world rankings. Inner Circle sit at 47th, entering the match as underdogs.
The map pool could be the deciding factor. 3DMAX are traditionally strong on Inferno and Nuke, while Inner Circle stand out with success on Ancient (73% win rate) and Dust2 (69%). If the Ukrainians can impose their game on favorable maps, their chances of causing an upset will rise significantly.
For those who are waiting for CS2 roster announcement 📹 pic.twitter.com/aa6I7CgGSd
— Inner Circle (@InCircleEsports) September 25, 2025
TEAM CONDITION BEFORE EPL S22
In 2025, Inner Circle managed to climb as high as 30th in the world rankings, but failed to secure a consistent spot in the top 30. In September, they were finalists of ESEA Advanced Season 54 Europe, confirming their potential in the second tier.
The key player remains Dawy, known for his aggressive style and high individual statistics. Experienced coach jR, a former Vega Squadron player, is expected to be a stabilizing factor for the young lineup.
ANALYTICAL OUTLOOK AND PERSPECTIVES
- Individual form of Dawy. His start could set the tone for the entire tournament.
- LAN debut. For most players, this is their first major stage appearance under the Inner Circle brand, making mentality a decisive factor.
- Map pool. Ancient and Dust2 are the team’s main trump cards, but poor preparation during pick-ban could quickly erase their chances.
- Coach’s contribution. jR brings experience from big games and can help young players adapt to the international arena.
FIRST CHALLENGE ON THE BIG STAGE
For Inner Circle, the match against 3DMAX is a chance to prove that the Ukrainian roster is ready to compete with top-20 teams in the world. A victory would be a sensation and open the door to a new stage in the organization’s development.
By the way, we have already prepared a separate news piece about 3DMAX and Nivera’s comeback — you can read it at this link.
