by Astralis, a once-dominant force in the Counter-Strike scene, finds itself at a crossroads yet again following another unsuccessful attempt to qualify for a Major tournament.
This time, the spotlight falls on Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, the team’s former in-game leader, who has been benched with a potential sale in mind.
This announcement comes amid a broader restructuring effort within the organization, including changes in coaching staff.
Kasper Straube, Astralis’ Director of Sports, cited a mismatch in player profiles and roles as the primary reason behind the decision to bench blameF.
Today we announce a change in the lineup, with in-game leader Benjamin "blameF" Bremer being benched with a potential sale in mind.
We want to thank Benjamin for his time, loyalty and dedication. We've seen him grow on and off the server and proudly watched his hard work. It's… pic.twitter.com/Dfa40ZvF3o
— Astralis (@Astralisgg) February 28, 2024
This move reflects Astralis’ commitment to redefining roles within the team to optimize performance.
A new in-game leader is expected to be announced soon as part of this strategic overhaul.
The decision to bench blameF follows a disappointing performance at the PGL Major Copenhagen European RMR B event, where Astralis finished with a 2-3 record and suffered a critical loss to 9Pandas in the decider bracket.
This setback adds to a string of disappointments for Astralis, including failed attempts to advance in recent Major tournaments.
Astralis’ struggles mark a significant departure from its illustrious past, where they were renowned for their dominance in the CS scene, clinching three consecutive Major titles.
However, since 2021, the team has faced challenges, including roster changes and declining results on the Major stage.
In addition to in-game struggles, Astralis has faced public scrutiny for controversial moves, such as signing formerly banned coach Nicolai “Hunden” Petersen and acquiring players from rival teams like Martin “?stavn?” Lund and Jakob “?jabbi?” Nygaard.
Despite these challenges, Astralis remains determined to reclaim its former glory.
The organization’s decision to bench blameF and revamp its coaching staff signals a renewed commitment to excellence and a strategic effort to address underlying issues within the team.
As Astralis embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly anticipate the team’s next moves and hope for a resurgence that will once again establish them as a dominant force in the world of Counter-Strike.
Meanwhile, blameF has confirmed his commitment to CS2 and is happy to move to another team, but he won’t be taking on the in-game leader role.
Benched in Astralis.
I'll be looking to continue playing asap but as a riffle (non IGL) so if any organisations are interested in talking with me, you can reach me through my DM.I wish the Astralis boys good luck and thank the whole organisation for my time there ??
— Benjamin Vang Bremer (@blameFFFFF) February 28, 2024
