BIG Clan is set to finalize their CS2 roster with the additions of Can "kyuubii" Ali and Marcel "hyped" Köhn. The pair will replace the recently benched Florian "syrsoN" Rische and Rigon "rigoN" Gashi, who is a free agent, since January 1. This is marking another shake-up in the Berlin based organization’s quest for consistent success.
The move comes shortly after the conclusion of the Shanghai Major, where BIG achieved a bittersweet milestone. They made the top 16 for the first time in over two years but exited that stage without a single win, going 0-3 in heartbreaking fashion. Following the event, the benching of Rigon "rigoN" Gashi, who only joined in July 2024 to replace David "prosus" Hesse, was quickly confirmed.
Last week, BIG also announced that Florian "syrsoN" Rische will leave the team again, as his contract will not be extended.
BIG stay German-speaking with kyuubii and hyped!
Replacing the Swiss rifler rigoN will be Can "kyuubii" Ali, a young German talent who most recently played for Sangal and fnatic. kyuubii is known for his aggressive entry-fragging style, a role BIG has sought to reinforce. His addition is expected to complement the rifling core of Karim "Krimbo" Moussa, captain Johannes "tabseN" Wodarz, and Jon "JDC" de Castro.
As one of the few young German players yet to don BIG’s jersey, kyuubii’s inclusion not only bolsters their national identity but also aligns with their strategic emphasis on assembling the best German core of players.
Roster Update:syrsoN has been moved to the bench.Thank you for your commitment over the past months and your hard work in Shanghai .He is now open to offers. pic.twitter.com/aICeIiO72c
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) December 30, 2024
The benching of Florian "syrsoN" Rische, however, comes as a more unexpected move. Initially, BIG cited the expiration of his contract as a reason to explore new options. Last week, they made the decision official, ending syrsoN's tenure on the active roster. Filling the void, will be Marcel "hyped" Köhn, a familiar name within BIG's ecosystem. hyped comes from BIG’s own academy, though he spent the past year on loan at Alternate AttaX.
This also isn’t hyped’s first stint with the main roster. He previously stepped up from February to June 2023 after syrsoN’s initial departure but was then demoted following the team’s failure to qualify for the Paris Major. During his loan spell with AttaX, hyped showed signs of growth, and BIG appears confident he has matured into the AWPer they need. Nonetheless, the 21-year-old has substantial expectations to meet as he reclaims his spot.
One notable aspect of these changes, is BIG retaining an all-German-speaking lineup. This new consistency follows up several experiments with English communication, most recently during the tenure of Mateusz "mantuu" Wilczewski, which ended earlier in 2024, once syrsoN came back. By building on their national identity, BIG aims to rebuild cohesion and performance, drawing on a mix of seasoned veterans like tabseN and up-and-coming talent like kyuubii and hyped. They were both already added to BIG's Pracc-group, their official announcements are therefore imminent.
With these changes, BIG's roster now looks as follows:
- Karim "Krimbo" Moussa
- Johannes "tabseN" Wodarz (IGL)
- Marcel "hyped" Köhn
- Jon "JDC" de Castro
- Can "kyuubii" Ali
- Alexander "kakafu" Szymanczyk (Coach)
- Florian "syrsoN" Rische (Benched)
- David "prosus" Hesse (Benched)
The revamped lineup represents a mix of experienced leadership and youthful aggression, with tabseN and kakafu steering the team forward. While questions linger about whether hyped's development will pay off and how kyuubii will adapt to the top-tier stage, BIG’s decision to invest in German talent underscores their commitment to the scene.
With the CS2 scene still taking shape for 2025, BIG’s roster changes signal their intent to remain competitive. The organization and fans alike will be eager to see if these adjustments can propel them back to the upper echelons of international Counter-Strike. They will make their debut at BLAST Bounty, next week.