Martin “stavn” Lund has officially ended his hiatus and left Astralis. The Danish rifler confirmed that he is ready to return to the professional Counter-Strike 2 scene. Astralis released him from his contract at his own request. He plans to resume competition in the near future.
Personal reasons behind the hiatus
In a detailed public statement, stavn openly explained the reasons behind his time away from competition. In December 2021, he lost his eldest brother to suicide. He described the loss as something that never fully fades, regardless of success or time.
While trying to honor his brother’s memory, stavn also attempted to escape the pain. He focused heavily on competitive Counter-Strike during that period. The following years brought strong results and international recognition. However, he now admits that those achievements came at the cost of his mental health. In August last year, he decided to put himself first. He stepped away from competition and began professional therapy. At that point, continuing to play was no longer healthy for him.
read more
From HEROIC success to struggles in Astralis
stavn appeared in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of the Year list for four consecutive years. He reached his peak ranking at ninth place in 2023. His most successful period came during his time with HEROIC. With HEROIC, stavn won BLAST Premier Spring and Fall titles. He also reached the final of the IEM Rio Major. The team consistently made deep playoff runs at tier-one events. During that time, stavn established himself as one of the most reliable riflers in the world.
His move to Astralis in November 2023 was meant to start a new chapter. The transfer also symbolized a rebuild for the legendary Danish organization. The reality, however, proved far more difficult. Personal struggles affected his performance. Across 285 maps with Astralis, stavn averaged a 1.06 rating. The team also faced role conflicts and lacked a clear identity. These issues prevented both sides from finding consistency.
In August 2025, stavn officially stepped away from the active lineup for personal reasons. He later admitted that the decision was difficult but necessary.
Astralis exit and a fresh beginning
In his statement, stavn thanked Astralis for their patience and support during his recovery. The organization agreed to release him from his contract. This decision allows him to pursue a new project without restrictions.
With professional therapy and time, I now feel more grounded than ever, stavn said. I’m ready to strive for greatness again. He also confirmed that his return to the server will happen soon.
Community reaction: full support for stavn
The announcement received widespread support from the Counter-Strike community. Players, coaches, analysts, and broadcast talent shared encouraging messages. Many emphasized the importance of mental health and praised stavn for prioritizing his well-being. Several figures wished him success heading into 2026. The overall response highlighted respect for his decision and optimism about his return.
read more
What comes next?
stavn has not yet announced his next team. However, his comments suggest that preparations are already underway. After a long and necessary recovery period, one of Denmark’s top talents is ready to compete again. This time, he returns with a healthier mindset, clearer priorities, and a stronger understanding of his limits.
