Emil “Magisk” Reif gave an interview in which he shared his impressions of his new role in Astralis, his cooperation with device and HooXi, and also spoke about his goals for FISSURE Playground 2. The Dane emphasized that his contract with the club is valid only until the end of the year, and beyond that, his future is still open.
RETURNING TO THE OLD JERSEY
Magisk admits that coming back to Astralis gives him mixed feelings. The last time he wore the team’s jersey was in 2021, when together with gla1ve, Xyp9x, and device he created an era of dominance. Since then, he played in Vitality, won the IEM Rio Major 2022, and then moved to Falcons, where his career stalled.
It feels strange, but at the same time nice. Many years have passed, but it’s still cool to play with Danes again. I have a lot of warm memories of this team.
Although the Astralis roster is completely different now, the symbolism of the team and the Danish lineup make this return special for him.
WHY NOW?
The reason for the comeback was stavn’s temporary break due to health. Astralis had to quickly find a replacement, and the choice fell on a proven veteran. For Magisk, this is an ideal opportunity to stay in shape after an unsuccessful period in Falcons, where he spent most of the time on the bench.
For me, it’s a great opportunity to maintain my form and at the same time step out of my comfort zone. To try new roles and refresh myself as a player.
Such a chance could become a turning point for him — even if the contract ends in December, he’ll get time to showcase himself to top-tier clubs before the 2026 season.
NEW ROLES AND CHALLENGES
Magisk emphasized that in Astralis he has to learn a number of new positions. It is especially difficult on the T side, where he now plays roles that were not typical for him before. For the experienced player, it’s a chance to prove his versatility, but the adaptation process will not be immediate.
I know I am capable of adapting. It won’t happen overnight, but I’m working every day to feel confident in these new roles as soon as possible.
His stats in recent months (average rating 0.96, high trading percentage — 89/100) show that he has kept his key skills, even if he has to rebuild himself for a new system.
PLAYING WITH DEVICE AND A NEW EXPERIENCE WITH HOOXI
One of the biggest positives for Magisk has been reuniting with Nicolai “device” Reedtz. With him, he once won three consecutive Majors as part of Astralis, and this duo is considered one of the most successful in CS history.
We were very close in the old Astralis. It’s nice to play together again.
Another challenge was getting to know the new captain — HooXi. The Danish veteran describes him as a very motivated and determined leader: “He has many ideas, he wants to get the maximum out of the team. So far I only see positives.”
LOOKING AT THE TOURNAMENT
Astralis started FISSURE Playground 2 with a win over Virtus.pro, which helped avoid a 0-2 score in the group. For Magisk, it was a chance to immediately make a positive impression. He emphasizes that the main goal is to reach the playoffs, because that is where “anything can happen.”
His personal plan is to gather as much information as possible about the new positions, get in shape, and become a reliable element of the roster. For the team, the main challenge is to stabilize their game and return to the ranks of trophy contenders.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Magisk openly says: the contract with Astralis is valid only until the end of the year, and for now he doesn’t know if he will stay. It all depends on whether he can show consistency and whether the club finds long-term value in him.
One thing is already clear — the Dane does not plan to end his career. At 27, he still has the motivation and experience to help any top team. For Astralis, his comeback is a chance to use the knowledge and charisma of a player who has already won everything possible.
