s1mple finally locks in pro Counter-Strike 2 debut but not with NAVI
João Ferreira/DexertoCS legend Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is making his pro Counter-Strike 2 debut with a one-month loan to Team Falcons, leaving NAVI in the interim.
s1mple is undoubtedly Counter-Strike’s goat. However, since CS2 came into the pro scene, s1mple has been out of the stage, announcing a hiatus shortly after IEM Sydney 2023, CS2’s first premier LAN tournament.
But, he revealed just over a week ago at IEM Katowice 2024 that he was ready to make a return to pro Counter-Strike, revealing he’d be coming back after the Copenhagen Major with NAVI.
However, in a surprise move none saw coming, Team Falcons has announced that s1mple will be signing with the team on a loan to replace a benched player.
On February 19, Team Falcons announced the benching of Mohammad “BOROS” Malhas after their devastating elimination at the Copenhagen Major RMR Qualifiers, with a loaned player being teased in the announcement.
As it would turn out, they got s1mple on loan from NAVI for a month. This is not a permanent move for s1mple, as he would be standing in for the team for just one tournament, the BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown 2024.
“[s1mple] will perform for Team Falcons for one month as a stand-in, including at BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown 2024,” announced NAVI. “And try to help the team earn one of two slots at BLAST Spring Final.”
This appearance will mark s1mple’s first-ever pro CS2 match as he was not present at IEM Sydney for NAVI’s very first tournament run in the new game.
The BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown is slated to begin on March 6 and run through until March 10.
