Cloud9 to play IEM Cologne 2023 with a Stand-in

There is no doubt that after the player break and mini offseason we had in the last few weeks, all the spotlight was on Cloud9’s powerful new lineup at IEM Cologne 2023, which is in full swing. However, to the disgrace of many in the scene, including fans and the organization itself, Cloud9 will not have Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov for this tournament due to visa issues.

The cathedral of Counter-Strike dresses up to welcome the world’s best CS:GO teams. When we were eagerly awaiting the debut of the new C9 lineup, the organization posted a last-minute statement that disappointed many.

There is no doubt that this Cloud9 lineup, with the addition of Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, becomes one of the most fearsome in the scene. Even many teams and players stated that this was, without a doubt, the best lineup in the CS:GO competitive scene currently.

Cloud9 announces Ax1Le will not attend IEM Cologne 2023

With only a few hours left before the IEM Cologne 2023 Play-In Phase concludes, Cloud9 announced via Twitter that Ax1Le would not be part of the team at the tournament due to visa issues. In addition, they also announced that Timur “buster” Tulepov is returning from the bench to play as Stand-in during this time.

Cloud9 CS:GO IEM Cologne roster update pic.twitter.com/AvQqpqSSLC

— Cloud9 CS:GO (@C9CSGO) July 27, 2023

However, this does not mean Ax1Le will miss the tournament completely, as the organization hopes that the Russian visa problem will be solved for the playoffs. However, to do so, the team must perform exceptionally well in its group and qualify for the next stage.

It is no secret to anyone that the CIS region is currently one of the powerhouses in the top tier of CS:GO worldwide. In addition, this Cloud9 lineup promises to give a lot of fight and, above all, to be among the best in the world. Similarly, we must wait for Ax1le to solve their visa problems to enjoy this extraordinary lineup.

Cloud9 start its journey at IEM Cologne 2023 against Fnatic

One of the four matches confirmed on the first day of the IEM Cologne 2023 Group Stage will be between Cloud9 and Fnatic. Undoubtedly, this would have been the ideal thermometer to measure the temperature of Cloud9’s new lineup. However, losing their star player, Ax1le, for the first match may be problematic for the team, as filling the gap left by one of the best players in the world is no easy feat.

Due to the IEM Cologne 2023 Group Stage length, we will have to wait about a week to see Ax1le in action with Cloud9 (if he solves his visa problem). If the team survives the three BO3s, they must play to qualify for the playoffs. Otherwise, we will have to wait until mid-August, when Cloud9 will present at the Gamers8 2023 festival.

There is no doubt that Ax1le is the cornerstone of this Cloud9 lineup and was once the cornerstone of Gambit. Now, the team will have to play without him and get the qualification in a tournament where they face the best in the world.

Rebuilding Cloud9

Undoubtedly, the North American organization made a big surprise by moving completely to the CIS region in search of success in top-level CS:GO.

However, in recent months the team was unable to have the desired success, and, in the player break, they managed to secure the services of two superstars who were released from NaVi, Perfecto, and electroNic. As a result, C9 now has one of the most interesting, complete, and powerful lineups in the game’s history.

Now, fans will have to wait for Ax1le to solve his visa problems and for Cloud9 to qualify for the IEM Cologne playoffs if they want to see the debut of this super lineup in the coming days.

Header: João Ferreira | PGL