A rapid series of changes among two Eastern European Counter-Strike teams has ended with amounts to a trading of players between the two clubs.
The move was first hinted at by Ukranian Counter-Strike player Alexander “Simple” Kostyliev, who took to Twitter to vent his concern.
Kostyliev had been playing for Hell Raisers since September, when he replaced Dauren “Adren” Kystaubayev.
Kostyliev had since asserted himself as one of Europe’s top snipers, but that wasn’t enough to protect him from the coming change.
Hell Raisers announced that both Kostyliev and Yegor “Markeloff” Markelov were to be released from the team. The would be replaced by two members of Dat Team, Yegor “Flamie” Vasiliev and a returning Kystaubayev.
Unlike Kostyliev, Markelov had struggled in recent months. The former Counter-Strike 1.6 player established himself as among the game’s greats years ago, but his transition to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has never been smooth.
Hell Raisers offered praise for Markelov even as they announced their parting ways with him, and Markelov was defiant in his official statement, though he did admit to having experienced a slip in motivation.
“All this situation never made me upset, but on contary gave me a furious motivation, which I lost lately, and an eagerness to reveal my potential in Global Offensive,” Markelov said.
As Hell Raisers parted ways with a veteran player and an up-and-coming talent, they required two new players who fit the same description. Vasiliev has been considered a potential breakout star ever since bursting onto the international scene as a stand-in for Dat Team, while Kystaubayev will seek to bring stability to the team after the move.
“Now I am full of energy, motivation and tolerance. I am ready to help my team at my maximum!” Kystaubayev said.
Markelov and Kostyliev didn’t need to look long for a new home. The pair have already joined Dat Team, showing up on the squad’s roster and completing a straight swap between the two Eastern European teams.
While fans will no doubt be eager to see which is to come out on top of the first meeting between the two sides, rumors were flying when Natus Vincere’s Denis “Seized” Kostin took to Twitter to tease a looming announcement by his own team.
The tease ended up being nothing but, as Natus Vincere stoop pat while the other top teams in their region exchanged players.
Markelov himself took the time to make note of Kostin’s antics.
Image via Hell Raisers CS:GO /Facebook
Published: Jan 16, 2015 11:31 am