In a stunning development just days before the prestigious IEM Katowice kicking off, Hamburg based org MOUZ has announced the benching of their young in-game leader siuhy.
The organization has confirmed that Lotan "Spinx" Giladi, formerly of Vitality, will replace Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek. Additionally, Ludvig "Brollan" Brolin will take on the in-game leader role, transitioning from his rifling duties.
A Shocking Move, Days Before IEM Katowice
The move has sent shockwaves through the Counter-Strike community, especially given siuhy’s meteoric rise as one of the most promising IGLs in the game. Since his return to MOUZ in July 2023 after a standout stint with GamerLegion, where he reached the BLAST.tv Paris Major final, siuhy has solidified his reputation as a tactical mastermind. Under his leadership, MOUZ captured three big titles - ESL Pro League Seasons 18 and 19 and the BetBoom Dacha Belgrade - while also reaching three additional finals. The team ended the 2024 season with a semi-final finish at the Shanghai Major, falling to eventual champions Team Spirit.
— MOUZ (@mousesports) January 22, 2025
MOUZ attributed the decision to "differing visions for the team's direction" in their announcement, a rationale that has left fans and analysts puzzled. According to HLTV’s Milan "Striker" Švejda, this move is not related to siuhy being bought out by another organization, though speculation is rife about his next destination.
The timing of the change is particularly surprising. MOUZ has had a turbulent start to the new season, suffering an early exit to BetBoom in the BLAST Bounty Round of 32. However, few expected such a drastic reshuffling, especially with the IEM Katowice roster lock already in place.
Spinx Joins, But Not Yet
Lotan "Spinx" Giladi, who has been on Vitality’s bench for a month, following the arrival of Robin "ropz" Kool, has officially joined MOUZ to fill the vacant spot on their roster. The 24-year-old Israeli star brings a wealth of experience, having played a pivotal role in Vitality’s Major-winning campaign at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023.
Today I'm starting a new chapter in @mousesports very excited to join the boys and looking forward to play with themThank you for everything @TeamVitalityCS see you on the server
— Spinx (@SpinxCS2) January 23, 2025
However, due to roster restrictions, Spinx will not debut at IEM Katowice. Instead, MOUZ will field Adrian "xelex" Vincze, from their MOUZ NXT academy, as a stand-in for the tournament.
Brollan Takes Over Calling
The announcement also marks a significant shift for Ludvig "Brollan" Brolin, who will take on the role of in-game leader. Known for his mechanical prowess, Brollan’s transition to the IGL position adds an element of uncertainty to MOUZ’s future. Balancing fragging with tactical responsibility is no easy feat, and whether Brollan can maintain MOUZ’s competitive edge remains to be seen.
The updated MOUZ lineup will be as follows:
- Ádám "torzsi" Torzsás
- Jimi "Jimpphat" Salo
- Ludvig "Brollan" Brolin (IGL)
- Dorian "xertioN" Berman
- Lotan "Spinx" Giladi
- Adrian "xelex" Vincze (stand-in)
- Dennis "sycrone" Nielsen (coach)
- Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek (benched)
As the dust settles on this shocking move, all eyes will be on MOUZ at IEM Katowice to see how they fare under this new setup. The first LAN event with Spinx is set to happen in March, at the next ESL Pro League campaign. Meanwhile, siuhy’s next chapter remains an intriguing storyline to watch for itself, with many teams potentially looking to upgrade their leading position.