In the wake of all of the drama surrounding ENCE, its previous Counter-Strike: Global Offensive roster, and AWP specialist Aleksi “allu” Jalli, the organization has announced some big changes for the 2021 season.
The team is retaining allu’s services as a player despite his alleged treatment of former players and the drama that followed on social media in the last few months of 2020.
“The events in December put us in a situation where we had to evaluate whether we can continue with allu moving forward as an organization. He hasn’t been a perfect teammate during his time with us and has acknowledged that to us as well,” ENCE general manager Niklas “Willkey” Ojalainen said. “Even if it is true that there has been tension between the players in the team, the allegations made towards allu on social media and singling him out as the sole reason for them, are very far from the truth.”
The team also announced the departure of Miikka “suNny” Kemppi, Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen and Tuomas “SADDYX” Louhimaa. ENCE outlined different reasons for each player’s departure, with suNny not wanting to rebuild with the team, SADDYX not fitting in with its new vision, and Jamppi’s status as a VAC-banned player all being highlighted.
The new squad at ENCE will be an international lineup and will see three new additions. The team will bring on Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer as an in-game leader with Paweł “dycha” Dycha and Lotan “Spinx” Gilad joining as young guns with some promising skills.
ENCE is also bringing on a new coaching staff. The organisation is adding Eetu “sAw” Saha as its head coach and Ville “WILLFEEL” Merinen as its performance coach and sports psychologist.
The new roster announcement also comes along with a shift in culture, according to the team. The responsibility for the rebuild and the roster’s performance is being placed soley on new coach sAw.
“Throughout the process of rebuilding ENCE’s CS:GO team for 2021, I have been given the responsibility and authority on how we build the team. I think this is good progress, it takes away the pressure, burden, and responsibility of making player choices from the players,” sAw said. “From now I will make those decisions and be fully accountable for the results that come with it.”
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