Liam “MaiL09” Tügel isn’t just another promising youngster climbing the European ladder. At only 16 years old, he has already done what most aspiring pros never will: reach #1 FACEIT Elo in Europe, earn early access to FACEIT Pro League, and establish himself as one of the most talked-about riflers in Counter-Strike 2.
While many talents shine briefly in online leagues, MaiL09’s rise feels different. It’s built on discipline, long hours, and a level of maturity rarely seen at his age. Now benched at Metizport, his future is one of the most closely watched storylines in the European scene.
From Swedish Servers to FACEIT #1
Born on May 30, 2009, MaiL09 grew up in Sweden and started playing Counter-Strike at just six years old — inspired by watching his father play at home. What began as curiosity quickly turned into obsession.
By age 11, he was already competing in Swedish tournaments, winning local events and gaining early recognition. His breakthrough moment came when he committed fully to Counter-Strike, eventually making the difficult decision to leave school and pursue CS full-time. That commitment paid off.
In September 2025, MaiL09 reached #1 on the European FACEIT ladder, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. The achievement instantly put him on the radar of analysts, pros, and organizations — and earned him early invitations to FPL, a space typically reserved for established tier-one players.
Early Career & Team Experience
Before joining Metizport, MaiL09 developed through several important stepping stones in the Swedish scene:
- Young Gods — where he learned structured team play and communication
- Johnny Speeds — his first taste of higher-pressure officials
- GODSENT Academy — refining discipline and fundamentals
Each stop shaped him into a more complete rifler. By the time Metizport signed him at 16, he was already viewed as one of the most mechanically gifted young players in Scandinavia. For FACEIT he told:
Getting signed by Metizport at 16 was a huge deal. It was my chance to play against better teams and improve faster
Although he is currently benched, his time with Metizport confirmed one thing: MaiL09 belongs in the conversation about Europe’s next generation of stars.
Mindset, Sacrifice, and Daily Grind
What separates MaiL09 from many prodigies is his mentality.
He doesn’t chase shortcuts. His daily routine is built around long practice blocks, demo reviews, and constant FACEIT grinding. According to his own words, his days often stretch from 10:00 to 18:00, followed by additional individual work. For FACEIT he told:
read more
I set small goals for myself. I chose to go full CS. Of course, I sacrificed some things — friends, free time — but it’s a sacrifice I wanted to make
Family support plays a central role in his journey, especially his father, who watches his games and supports him daily. That stability has helped him handle pressure far beyond his years.
Hype Factor: Numbers Behind the Buzz
The hype around MaiL09 isn’t driven by FACEIT rankings alone — it’s backed by rapidly growing numbers across social platforms.
On Twitch, MaiL09 has quietly built a strong and highly engaged audience:
- 9,700+ followers on Twitch
- 1,759 average viewers over the last 30 days
- 3,767 peak viewers during high-profile CS2 streams
- 15,000+ followers gained in a single recent period
For a 16-year-old rifler without tier-one LAN exposure yet, these numbers are significant. His streams consistently attract both casual viewers and high-level players, especially during FACEIT and FPL sessions. That visibility amplifies every strong performance — and accelerates the conversation around his future far beyond match results alone. In short, MaiL09 isn’t just climbing competitively. He’s already building a personal brand that many established pros didn’t have at the same age.
Settings & Gear
MaiL09’s in-game setup reflects his identity as a disciplined, precision-focused rifler. His settings prioritize clarity, stable FPS, and clean visual feedback — a common trend among elite mechanical players.
read more
Mouse & Sensitivity
- DPI: 800
- In-game Sensitivity: 0.7
- eDPI: 560
- Polling Rate: 2000 Hz
- Zoom Sensitivity: 1.0
- Windows Sensitivity: 6
This relatively low eDPI allows for controlled crosshair placement and consistent headshot accuracy, especially in slower, methodical rounds.
Resolution & Video
- Resolution: 1280×960
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Scaling Mode: Stretched
- Brightness: 93%
- Display Mode: Fullscreen
Advanced Settings Highlights
- Boost Player Contrast: Enabled
- NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency: Enabled + Boost
- V-Sync / G-Sync: Disabled
- Anti-Aliasing: 8x MSAA
- Shadows: Low (Dynamic Shadows: All)
- Textures / Shaders / Particles: Low
- HDR: Quality
The configuration maximizes player visibility while eliminating unnecessary visual noise — ideal for riflers who rely on fast target acquisition rather than visual flair.
Viewmodel
- FOV: 68
- Offset X: 2.5
- Offset Y: 0
- Offset Z: -1.5
- Preset Position: 2
The result is a clean, unobtrusive weapon model that keeps focus on crosshair discipline and angle control — exactly what defines MaiL09’s playstyle.
Still Just the Beginning
Right now, MaiL09 is on the bench — but his story is far from paused. At just 16 years old, he has already achieved milestones many players never reach even at 18 or 20: #1 FACEIT in Europe, early FPL access, consistent high-level performances, and a growing presence both competitively and publicly. These aren’t flashes of potential — they’re proof of foundation.
read more
Perhaps most telling is how the scene views him. MaiL09 was selected six times as a Bold Prediction in the HLTV Top 20 Players discussions, a rare mention for someone so young — and a clear signal of long-term belief from analysts and insiders. Being benched now doesn’t define his trajectory. If anything, it reinforces a familiar pattern in Counter-Strike: elite prospects often take one step back before making their biggest leap forward. For MaiL09, the future isn’t a question of if — only when.
