Zonic and Robl’s move to Saudi Arabian org Falcon shakes up CS2 Scene

The renowned CS coach Danny “zonic” Sørensen and sports psychiatrist Lars Christian Robl are set to join the Saudi Arabian esports organization ‘Falcons’ this November, departing from their roles at French powerhouse Vitality.

The surprising news initially surfaced when retired French pro Sebastien “KRL” Perez hinted at the possibility during a livestream on Monday. However, it wasn’t until Zonic and Robl’s exclusive interview with Dexerto that details of this monumental transition emerged.

The catalyst for this move appears to be a reported contract dispute between zonic and Vitality. The French organization allegedly requested a reduction in the coach’s salary during contract negotiations. With his contract set to expire at the end of 2023, zonic explored other opportunities, ultimately leading him and Robl to join Falcons.

As first revealed by @KRL_STREAM, zonic and Lars Robl are leaving Vitality to join Team Falcons.

I had the chance to sit down with both of them, as well as with Falcons’ @GrantRous, to talk about how it happened. pic.twitter.com/M9gMPBfsDK

— Luís Mira (@luismmira) October 3, 2023

 

Zonic’s reputation as one of the greatest coaches in esports history, with four Major titles under his belt while with Astralis and another with Vitality, has elevated the strategic capabilities of the Falcons organization to new heights. Additionally, Robl’s role as a psychiatrist brings an entirely different dimension to the team’s dynamics.

However, what sets this move apart is the motivation behind it. “It was not the money that drove me to this,” Lars stated in the interview. “It was the role, the responsibility, and the freedom I got in the role to create something that I really believe in.”

Zonic echoed this sentiment by emphasizing that while Falcons’ offer was appealing, it was about fulfilling his personal goals and challenging himself. This decision to join a team ranked significantly lower in the competitive hierarchy is seen as a long-term challenge for the veteran coach.

Falcon to reshape Saudi’s CS scene with zonic and Robl

Since 2018, zonic and Robl have worked together, solidifying their partnership when they joined Vitality together. Initially, Falcons had their sights set on Robl alone, but when the organization’s Global Director of Esports and EU Operations, Grant Rousseau, learned of zonic’s potential availability, he strategically decided to keep the pair together.

One noteworthy aspect of this move is the destination – a Saudi Arabian esports organization. In the context of growing concerns about the country’s influence in global esports and its human rights record, both Robl and zonic emphasized their belief in their potential to be a force for positive change in the region.

Honored to receive another nomination! Would appreciate if you took the time to vote on @TeamVitality & me if you feel we deserve it this year! #VForVictory https://t.co/hUjb0EHCGv

— Danny Sørensen (@zonic) September 20, 2023

 

Zonic expressed his understanding of the cultural angle, given his family ties to Egypt, and his desire to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s goals of opening up more in the esports world. While acknowledging existing issues, both individuals believe that bringing a Major title to Saudi Arabia can be a small but meaningful contribution to the country’s progress.

The move to Falcons not only signals a significant shift in zonic and Robl’s careers but also promises to reshape the competitive landscape of CS2. As the Falcons organization builds its roster from the ground up and aspires to become a leading force in the world of Counter-Strike, all eyes will be on this unexpected duo and their journey in Saudi Arabia.

With the first Major in the CS2 circuit’s qualification tournament just two months away from zonic’s arrival at Falcons, the Counter-Strike community eagerly anticipates how this bold move will impact the competitive scene and whether the Falcons roster will emerge as a savvy management maneuver or an expensive gamble. The esports world will undoubtedly be watching closely as this unprecedented venture unfolds.

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