CS:S Fnatic move out of CSS

Written by revoltz at 2008-06-29 15:40:43.

In the aftermath of the recent CGS UK/EU Draft in Birmingham there have been numerous rumours concerning the long term future of the Fnatic Counter-Strike: Source team due to two key players, namely xertion and Blaze, being drafted in for the Berlin Allianz franchise.

With the remainding players being left as "taxi players" for their respective franchises it was uncertain with what future the team would have. However, after consulting internally within the organisation and between each other both Fnatic and the players came to the conclusion to discontinue with a team that largely dominated Counter-Strike: Source in 2007. After their recruitment to the Fnatic team, the team managed to impress the management in their level, dedication and professionalism and hence received a professional salary in November - a huge step forward for Counter-Strike: Source. The teams results included wins at i31, the eXperience 2007 and LAN79 2007, results started to falter moving into 2008 with various roster switches but the team still managed to place 2nd at the CGS UK/EU Draft after losing to a strong Birmingham Salvo side in the finals.

Unfortunately, rebuilding was not an option for either the team or the management. On attending the draft, both parties knew that it was more than likely that a proportion of the players would be drafted however the management did not want to hold the players back in possibly the biggest chance in their eSports careers. It is for this very reason that Fnatic have decided to not delve into Counter-Strike Source in the future with the management stating "we feel that CSS cannot justify investment as game considering we will most likely lose any further team we build up again in the future to individual drafts of the CGS, and no major organisers have indicated they will pick up CSS in the face of the CGS." The managements statement to avoid further involvement within Counter-Strike: Source echos the sadness in Luuk Verink's statement of how the team just "won't be the same without these two great players and personalities" hence the lack of motivation to rebuild, leaving himself, Sandor de Munck, and Mark Koks without teams.

The decision by Fnatic to remove themselves from any involvement with Counter-Strike: Source in the future due to the CGS only adds to the argument that the largest media based professional video gaming franchise to hit eSports thus far is doing more harm than good.

The former Fnatic.css roster was as follows:

Mark "AirRaid" Koks

Sandor "proph" de Munck

Quint "Blaze" Spierenburg

Milan "xertion" Veeger

Luuk "darky" Verink

Statement Sam Mathews (Managing Director):

I have never been one to like goodbye's, and never more is it true now! These five guys have been the ultimate fnatic players, they have represented us with skill, focus, professionalsim, and were at one time indestructable as a team in CSS. They wore the orange and black shirts with pride, and most of all they were great guys to spend time with, good friends of mine. I will miss them at events, and in the office which we spent so much time, but I wish them ALL the best of luck.. Quint, Milan, go and conquer LA, Luuk, Sandor, Mark I hope to see you guys in successful teams soon and good luck in future!

Thank you for being great people, players and friends in Fnatic!

Statement Luuk Verink (Player):

We went to the CGS Combine, knowing that some of us had a good chance of getting drafted. We had a highly skilled squad with alot of ingame and social skills.

But we wanted to go anyway, because the CGS is just the biggest tournament that is around for CS:Source at the moment. We're (Mark, Sandor and myself) really happy for Quint and Milan that they got drafted and will be starting one of the greatest things in their eSports careers.

With that said, we're also disappointed and sad that this means that Fnatic.css will be no more. The team won't be the same without these two great players and personalities and therefor we decided not to continue under the Fnatic flag.

I had alot of fun in Fnatic.css and I want to thank Fnatic for that, but especially the guys for the awesome time that we played together and all the great achievements we accomplished.

Thanks to all the fans and all the friends for the great support and goodbye.

Related
www.fnatic.com
#fnatic

Comments

#1 by entYy

Very well written revoltz <3

#2 by qure

too bad, nice post tim :)

gl!

#3 by beaN

long post :o

#4 by cran0r

g00d g00d Mwhahaa

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