ENCE have sent shockwaves through the CS2 scene by benching their entire active roster along with head coach Niclas "enkay J" Krumhorn. The Finnish organization announced on March 11 that they will abandon their international lineup and return to their roots — developing homegrown Finnish talent.
Who's Been Benched
All five players and the coach are now available for transfer:
- Viktor "sdy" Orudzhev (Ukraine)
- Paavo "podi" Heiskanen (Finland, 21)
- Ryan "Neityu" Aubry (France, 20)
- Maciej "F1KU" Miklas (Poland)
- Szymon "kRaSnaL" Mrozek (Poland)
- Coach: Niclas "enkay J" Krumhorn (Germany)
Why the Reset?
ENCE's statement was blunt about the realities facing mid-tier organizations: "The current esports ecosystem has made it increasingly difficult for organizations like ours to reach the highest level of international Counter-Strike."
Rather than continuing to compete at a level where results and finances don't align, ENCE have chosen to "reset and build something new with a long-term perspective" — focusing on developing the next generation of Finnish CS2 stars.
Transfer Market Impact
Two players in particular are expected to attract significant interest:
Paavo "podi" Heiskanen — The 21-year-old Finnish AWPer was the squad's standout performer with a 1.10 rating. He was separately benched after expressing his desire to pursue tier-one Counter-Strike rather than join a Finnish development squad. With a shortage of elite AWPers in the current CS2 landscape, podi's options should be excellent.
Ryan "Neityu" Aubry — The 20-year-old French rifler is seen as a natural fit for 3DMAX's French-speaking core. At his age and skill level, Neityu represents one of the more exciting young prospects on the market.
A Return to Finnish Roots
ENCE's decision echoes a broader trend in esports — organizations pulling back from expensive international rosters in favor of sustainable, locally-focused development. For Finnish CS, this could be a positive development. ENCE's brand and infrastructure dedicated to nurturing Finnish talent could produce the next generation of players capable of competing at the highest level.
The organization's academy system has already produced several promising players, and with full organizational focus now shifting to Finnish development, the pipeline could accelerate significantly.
What's Next
ENCE haven't announced their new Finnish roster yet, but the rebuild is expected to draw from their academy ranks and the Finnish semi-pro scene. Meanwhile, the five benched players will be looking for new homes — and in a market where talent is always in demand, they shouldn't have to wait long.
