Imperial Esports, known for its Brazilian main roster, has announced a major expansion within the club’s structure. This time, it’s not about a transfer to the main lineup but the opening of a new project — Gamdom Imperial EU Academy, where promising young European players will compete. This is an important step for the organization’s development, as previously the focus was exclusively on the South American region.
We are proud to announce the Gamdom Imperial EU Academy 🇪🇺💚
Young talents ready to represent and build the future of Counter-Strike:
🇷🇺 @Aliotcs – Nikita Kovalev, 20y (Russia)
🇺🇦 @ta9zqq – Maksym Hrytsai, 16y (Ukraine)
🇺🇦 @oNESTLYOFF – Artem Kobziev, 17y (Ukraine)
🇩🇰… pic.twitter.com/xshFyYx7xC— Gamdom Imperial (@imperialesports) August 26, 2025
Gamdom Imperial EU Academy roster
The academy has recruited five newcomers, representing Russia, Ukraine, and Denmark:
- Nikita “Aliotcs” Kovalev, 20 years old, Russia
- Maksym “ta92qq” Hrytsai, 16 years old, Ukraine
- Artem “oNESTLYOFF” Kobziev, 17 years old, Ukraine
- Tristan “sh1Fudk” Jensen, 16 years old, Denmark
- Frederik “Kragh” Kragh, 18 years old, Denmark
This lineup reflects the club’s ambition to establish a truly international academy, giving young talents the chance to showcase themselves on the competitive CS2 stage.
Coaching staff
The team will be led by hyskeee, who has previous experience working with young players in the European scene. He admitted that the selection process was demanding:
It was a long process of trialing a lot of different players and watching more than 500 pov demos to decide who I want on the lineup, but here we are.
Thanks for the trust @imperialesports 💚
Let's get to work #IMPCS2AC 🧑🍳 https://t.co/rl5E16onGP— hyskeee (@hyskeee) August 26, 2025
Supporting him will be bubbleCS22, a former professional player well known for his time in European teams. His experience is expected to provide additional stability and guidance in the juniors’ development.
Imperial’s strategy and the significance of the academy
For Imperial, launching an academy in Europe is a strategic move. First, it expands the club’s presence beyond South America, opening new opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and international branding. Second, it creates a pathway to nurture future stars and integrate them into the main roster if needed.
Given the players’ ages — ranging from 16 to 20 — the organization is betting on a long-term project. The goal is not only short-term tournament results but also building a professional culture and discipline necessary for competing at the highest level.
What’s next?
Gamdom Imperial EU Academy will debut in upcoming competitions under the tag #IMPCS2AC. The team is expected to participate in regional leagues and academy tournaments, where they will gain valuable experience against other young squads.
Imperial fans are already actively discussing the announcement on social media, noting that the lineup looks promising. Special attention has been drawn to the Ukrainian players — ta92qq and oNESTLYOFF — who could become key figures in the team, as well as the young Danish duo sh1Fudk and Kragh, who already have experience on local circuits.
Gamdom Imperial have taken a major step in their development — the organization now has not only its main roster but also a European academy. This opens a new chapter in the club’s history while giving young talents the opportunity to make their mark on the international Counter-Strike 2 stage.
