G2 Esports have updated the sniper position in their CS2 roster. SunPayus has been moved to the bench, while r1nkle, who joined from Ninjas in Pyjamas, has become the team’s new AWPer.
The decision came after G2 were eliminated by Team Spirit in the quarterfinals of the IEM Cologne Major. SunPayus spent around a year with the club and helped the team win BLAST Open London 2025 Finals. r1nkle’s debut in the new roster is expected at BLAST Bounty Season 2, which will become the first major test for the updated version of G2.
For Winio, this story is interesting as an example of why predictions after transfers should account not just for the fact of a replacement, but for the player’s role within the system. An AWP change in CS2 affects opening duels, CT positions, attacking tempo, and decision-making in late-round situations.
The main analytical point is the timing of the change. G2 reached the Major playoffs, but the loss to Spirit showed that the team needs to find a more stable model against high-level opponents. Moving SunPayus to the bench looks less like a minor roster adjustment and more like an attempt to change the team’s game logic.
r1nkle joins G2 as a player with clear potential and experience from NIP, but his task will be more difficult than a standard adaptation. In his new team, he will need to quickly fit into the map pool and understand the role distribution.
Fans should not judge G2’s first matches with r1nkle only by the AWPer’s individual statistics. Opening rounds, defensive stability, retake quality, the team’s response after losing streaks, and how G2 use the AWP in key moments of the map will matter more.
Winio’s approach helps evaluate transfers more accurately. After a sniper change, it is important to look at the team’s tempo, role redistribution, and level of cohesion across several matches.
G2 enter BLAST Bounty Season 2 with an updated AWP role and plenty of questions. If r1nkle adapts quickly, the team will be able to recover faster after their Major exit. If the integration takes longer, the sniper change could become a risk factor during an important part of the season.
FaZe Clan have removed broky from their starting CS2 lineup and moved him to the bench. Shortly after that, the club loaned Danish AWP’er JBOEN from BIG Academy until the end of 2026.
Nemiga Gaming will compete at BLAST Premier Bounty 2026 Season 2 in CS2, replacing 9z. The tournament organizers have confirmed the change to the participant list. Nemiga has been awarded the vacant slot.
Falcons became the champions of IEM Cologne Major 2026 in CS2. In the grand final, the team defeated FURIA 3:0 and claimed the Major title.
The IEM Cologne Major 2026 CS2 final takes place today, with Falcons facing FURIA. The winner will become the Major champion.
Team Spirit will face Falcons in the IEM Cologne Major 2026 CS2 semifinals. The winner of the series will advance to the Major final.
FURIA and Aurora will face each other in the first semifinal of IEM Cologne Major 2026 in CS2. The winner of the series will become the first finalist of the Major.
Team Spirit will face G2 Esports in the IEM Cologne Major 2026 CS2 quarterfinals. The winner of the series will advance to the semifinals, where they will meet the winner of Falcons vs Vitality.
