G2 add r1nkle for aggression ahead of Paris playoffs

G2 qualified for the top 16 at the Esports World Cup in Paris after signing Artem ‘r1nkle’ Moroz to their roster, according to coach Eetu ‘sAw’ Saha. The coach plans to use r1nkle to add aggression and create opening kills, and he expects the player will need time to integrate into the team.

G2’s group-stage run included close matches against M80 and BIG. The club controlled most of the Mirage map versus M80 but the score remained tight. Against BIG, G2 had strong periods on Cache and Inferno, then struggled on Ancient: a late collapse on the T side and a missed match point in regulation led to overtime, where G2 lost the map. Despite those moments, the team advanced to the playoffs.

The roster change followed a period in which the organisation felt the line-up had stalled. The coaching staff opted to bench Álvaro ‘SunPayus’ García after reviewing each player’s profile and the squad’s potential. SunPayus will remain available for other line-ups, while G2 pursued a different player type to balance the team.

R1nkle is a young, aggressive AWPer who can also play rifles and performs well in pistol rounds. ‘It’s going to be a question about experience,’ sAw said, adding that overpeeks and other small mistakes should reduce as r1nkle gains match time and familiarity with G2’s system.

Bringing in r1nkle alters the team’s communication dynamic. Earlier changes added a more vocal presence when NertZ joined the roster, and SunPayus contributed economy management and mid-round input. G2 does not expect r1nkle to fill SunPayus’s calling role; instead, NertZ and huNter- will lead mid-round decisions while r1nkle focuses on creating openings and securing rounds.

Saha identified remaining issues the team must address. G2 no longer has a clear natural entry fragger since malbsMd’s departure. The staff has tested MATYS in entry-like positions but views him as a more calculated duelist rather than a straight-in entry player. huNter- continues to develop as an in-game leader and HeavyGod provides steady output the team prefers to preserve.

G2 will use practice sessions and official matches in Paris to settle roles, build chemistry and reduce errors. The organisation intends to adjust responsibilities and line-up use through competitive play as r1nkle adapts to the team.