As the new season of Counter-Strike 2 kicks into gear following IEM Cologne 2025, many rosters find themselves under scrutiny — and for good reason. Summer reshuffles brought major surprises, controversial decisions, and missed opportunities. According to insider and analyst neL, some teams nailed their rebuilds, while others are still stuck in outdated plans, hoping for a miracle.
G2: Promising, but not perfect
Among the revamped rosters, G2 stood out at Cologne. With MATYS joining the core of NiKo, m0NESY, and nexa, the team showed clear improvement and cohesion. They didn’t go the distance, but the foundation is finally starting to look solid again.
They definitely showed the project made sense and they could come back in the top 6 very soon. I still feel a little something is missing to get higher, but it’s clearly a much more logical project than what they had in the recent past, said neL
MATYS had a slow start, and both SunPayus and HeavyGod are still under evaluation. But the structure is coherent — something that couldn’t be said about G2 just months ago.
FaZe: Same core, same problems
Despite a strong showing from broky and another deep tournament run, FaZe didn’t convince neL as a true contender.
They only beat a dead Team Liquid and an Aurora without XANTARES. They were very weak against NAVI. Not a title contender at all for now.
While s1mple’s absence gave broky a temporary spotlight, the core issues remain. EliGE is still not an ideal fit, and the entire lineup feels like a stopgap.
Sadly, it still feels like they kept that roster because they couldn’t get other players. And I don’t know if they will be able to get big names like they used to, neL added
The s1mple story: from NAVI to BC.Game
Perhaps the most shocking move of the offseason was s1mple joining BC.Game — an unproven organization, far from the spotlight he once owned. But neL says it’s not just a branding stunt — it’s a calculated, if limited, opportunity.
s1mple wants to play, and NAVI wouldn’t take him back because he’s not committed enough. Very few teams were interested in getting him. That’s why he ends up in a team that has to buy players to get a slot or grind with players that are not good enough for T1.
Still, neL believes this might be a spark that reignites s1mple’s competitive drive — and that a real comeback is possible if he regains motivation.
Liquid: A project in denial
No team came under heavier criticism than Team Liquid. After a year of underperformance, they stuck with the same core and made only one coaching change — a move that neL labels as disastrous.
Not changing NAF or upgrading ultimate is the worst decision. Overall Liquid management did some awful moves over the last years… They need to make a change just to get new momentum.
Even the coaching hire was met with skepticism:
A coach that has no real background at top level… Will players that played majors and won titles listen to someone that had never played or coached tier-one CS?
Twistzz and NertZ still form a strong foundation, but siuhy’s transition has been rough, and neL sees little future for NAF or ultimate in this system.
The winners of the window
While some teams stagnated, others made smart — if quiet — moves. neL highlighted several:
- Astralis keeping HooXi: a stability play that may pay off.
- FURIA retaining YEKINDAR: a bold but logical bet.
- G2’s rebuild: not perfect, but finally coherent.
- NiP signing xKacpersky: a calculated risk with real upside.
- Heroic’s new core: exciting prospects, though lacking tier-one experience.
Heroic won’t be title contenders anytime soon, but they might get a lot of money again by selling these prospects. Smart — if they qualify for the Major. Dangerous if they don’t.
Who’s next? The early favorites for the Major
When asked who he sees lifting the next Major trophy, neL didn’t hesitate.
Vitality is still way ahead and has even still a margin in my opinion.
But he also sees potential in dark horses:
- Falcons: strong on paper, but unproven as a superteam.
- MOUZ: talent-rich, but mentally capped.
- MongolZ: need more big-stage experience.
- NAVI, NIP, and Astralis: not favorites, but could surprise.
Conclusion
The post-Cologne landscape reveals a Counter-Strike scene in flux. Some teams, like G2 and NiP, took calculated steps forward, investing in structure and potential. Others, like FaZe and Liquid, doubled down on flawed lineups — either by choice or due to lack of options. And then there’s s1mple, caught between legacy and uncertainty, taking a detour few saw coming.
As neL points out, success in CS2 isn’t just about names on a roster — it’s about timing, cohesion, and vision. The next few months will separate long-term contenders from those merely surviving the offseason. One thing is certain: the rebuilding phase is over. Now it’s time to prove that the moves made weren’t just for show.
