Finnish esports organization ENCE has announced a dramatic reset to its Counter-Strike 2 division, benching its entire active roster and coaching staff while outlining plans to rebuild around Finnish talent.
All players from the lineup have been placed on the transfer list as the organization shifts its strategy away from international rosters and back toward developing domestic players. The decision marks one of the most significant structural changes in the team’s recent history.
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ENCE Strategic Shift Back to Finnish Roots
In an official statement, ENCE explained that maintaining internationally competitive rosters has become increasingly difficult within the current esports ecosystem. As a result, the organization has decided to return to its roots and invest in Finnish talent.
According to ENCE, the long-term goal is to “develop the next generation of Finnish stars” and build a sustainable Counter-Strike 2 program centered around the national scene.
The move represents a clear philosophical change after several years of fielding multinational lineups in pursuit of top-tier international results.
ENCE Performance Struggles in the CS2 Era
ENCE’s recent competitive results likely played a role in the decision. In the CS2 era, the team qualified for only one Major, PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, and has not appeared in the global top-20 rankings since the first half of 2024.
These struggles contrasted with the organization’s earlier success during the CS:GO era, when a fully Finnish lineup led by Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen made a historic run to the grand final of IEM Katowice 2019.
That roster became one of the most iconic teams in Finnish Counter-Strike history, and the organization now appears eager to recreate a similar identity.
A Special Case: podi
ENCE also addressed the situation surrounding Paavo “podi” Heiskanen. According to the organization, the Finnish AWPer requested to pursue opportunities at the tier-one level rather than participate in a long-term development project focused on young Finnish players.
His decision further highlights the transitional nature of ENCE’s upcoming rebuild.
ENCE Benched Roster
The following players are now inactive and available for transfer:
- Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev
- Paavo “podi” Heiskanen
- Ryan “Neityu” Aubry
- Maciej “F1KU” Miklas
- Szymon “kRaSnaL” Mrozek
- Niclas “enkay J” Krumhorn (coach)
The organization confirmed that all members of the lineup are free to explore transfer opportunities as ENCE prepares to start a new project focused on domestic talent development.
What’s Next for ENCE?
While the entire roster has been benched, ENCE confirmed that its academy and development programs will continue operating as part of the new strategy. The organization plans to reveal details about its next lineup in the near future.
With the reset now underway, the coming months could mark the beginning of a new era for ENCE, one aimed at restoring Finland’s presence on the international CS2 stage.
