European FACEIT once again proves that stability in CS2 is never guaranteed. Where the balance of power seems unshakable, a new player sometimes emerges — one who forces everyone to rethink their understanding of individual mastery on the platform.
MaiL09 — the new FACEIT champion and the end of donk’s era of dominance
We have witnessed a landmark moment for European matchmaking. 16-year-old Swedish talent Liam “MaiL09” Tügel won FACEIT Season 6 Europe, putting an end to the long era of dominance by donk — a player who held first place for years without giving it up to anyone.
For the first time in a long while, the title goes to another player. donk held the top spot so confidently that many already saw his leadership as the norm. But now a new number one has appeared in the ranking — and it is a young Swede who came not to ask for a place, but to take it.
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Who is MaiL09 and why is everyone talking about him?
Before this season, MaiL09 was seen as a prospect — one of the brightest young mechanical players in Scandinavia. But Season 6 turned him from a talent of the future into the true face of European FACEIT today.
His key stats:
- 5,382 ELO
- 3,782 matches
- 57% winrate
- Headshots 68.0%
This is a result that speaks for itself in a region with one of the highest concentrations of skill in the world.
Has the era of donk ended?
For many seasons, donk remained a symbol of absolute stability. His mechanical level and playstyle made him almost unreachable over long stretches of competition. That is why the appearance of a new champion created a shock effect across the scene. MaiL09 became the one who managed to break donk’s era — and he did it at just 16 years old.
🇸🇪 Liam '@MaiL09cs' Tügel finishes #1 securing the Season 6 title.
The 16 year old ends @donk1337’s 5 Season streak, becoming the first new FACEIT Season Champion since the system began, setting a new benchmark for the next generation.
Congratulations. pic.twitter.com/iB9L82lSrg
— FACEIT CS2 (@FACEITcs) November 16, 2025
What this means for Swedish CS2
The Swedish scene has long been waiting for a new iconic figure. MaiL09 is one of the rare players whose FACEIT results can form the basis for a future transition into top-tier esports. His stability in difficult matches, mechanics, and in-game confidence already set him apart from competitors.
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FACEIT Season 6
FACEIT Season 6 became a turning point: donk’s era has ended, and a new champion has made his presence known loudly. MaiL09 did not simply win the season — he proved that the new generation of European CS2 is ready to assert itself at the highest level.
