The Finnish organization ENCE has officially ended its contract with Polish coach Jakub “kuben” Gurczyński. This marks the formal conclusion of his tenure, which had effectively ended back in August 2024, when he was moved to the bench after roster changes and the arrival of Niclas “enkay J” Krumhorn as head coach.
Rebuilding after the core’s departure
The Polish coach joined ENCE in November 2023, replacing Eetu “sAw” Saha. At that point, the club was in crisis — the roster that had brought stability and international recognition had just fallen apart. Within weeks, Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer, Pavle “Maden” Bošković, Guy “NertZ” Iluz, and Álvaro “SunPayus” García all left.
kuben took on the challenge of rebuilding ENCE from scratch. He combined young Polish players with experienced international talent, searching for a lineup that could remain competitive at the highest level. Despite promising flashes, the team never reached consistency. Frequent roster changes, unclear leadership, and shifting strategies led to fluctuating results and a slow decline in rankings.
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Katowice 2024 — a short-lived spark
The highlight of kuben’s time at ENCE came at IEM Katowice 2024. The squad, built around a Polish core and led by Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, delivered a miracle run to the playoffs in the Spodek Arena, reviving national pride among Polish fans.
That success became a symbol of Poland’s Counter-Strike revival. Yet, it was short-lived. After Katowice, ENCE failed to maintain form. The team entered another period of instability, and a move toward an international lineup did not bring the desired results.
Change of direction and farewell
After a disappointing summer in 2024, ENCE shifted direction. The organization adopted a data-driven approach under enkay J, while kuben was moved to the bench. For over a year, he remained under contract but was not involved in daily operations. Finally, in October 2025, both sides officially parted ways.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to work for ENCE. It’s been a truly enriching experience, and I greatly value the trust, respect, and professionalism they have shown throughout our collaboration. #EZ4ENCE #polskaGurom https://t.co/5oUWC2al5u
— kuben (@kubenCS2) October 17, 2025
From Virtus.pro to ENCE — a veteran’s path
Jakub “kuben” Gurczyński remains one of the most respected figures in Polish Counter-Strike. As a player, he was part of the legendary Golden Five, a lineup that dominated the CS 1.6 era. After retiring, he returned as a coach and led Virtus.pro for nearly five years, winning multiple championships with his former teammates.
In 2023, kuben joined apEX, where he helped the team achieve a surprise semifinal finish at the BLAST Paris Major — one of the most memorable runs of that season. That success earned him an offer from ENCE, who hoped his structure and leadership could stabilize the team during its rebuild.
Community reaction — humor, surprise, and speculation
The announcement triggered lively reactions across the CS2 community. Many fans admitted they hadn’t realized kuben was still part of ENCE.
I had no idea that he was still in ENCE, wrote Gordon Shumway, echoing the thoughts of many.
Others responded with humor and speculation about his next move. “BC GAME Kuben — jL, rain, s1mple, nexa, aNdu,” joked one fan, referencing the popular meme about BC.Game’s rumored “superteam.”
- Polish fans added their own nostalgic twist: “@izaklive bier go do apogee,” one user wrote, calling on streamer Izak to recruit him.
- Some saw it as a chance for new legends to rise. “It’s time for Olof baby!” added drunk47, hinting at a possible return of another veteran.
- Overall, reactions mixed amusement, nostalgia, and surprise — a fitting reflection of kuben’s long and storied presence in Counter-Strike.
What’s next for kuben and ENCE
After over a year on the sidelines, the 37-year-old coach is once again a free agent. His tactical depth, experience, and leadership make him an attractive option for teams seeking structure and discipline.
For ENCE, this move continues their ongoing rebuild in the CS2 era. Under enkay J, the team focuses on young talent, analytics, and long-term growth. Their nearly two-year collaboration may not have yielded lasting results, but it left behind memorable moments, including the Katowice 2024 miracle run, and reminded fans of kuben’s enduring influence on the Counter-Strike scene.
