In a statement, Aerial revealed that he was struggling to keep up with the current level of pro CS:GO due to his sleep disorder and would take time off until he recovered.
“I have decided to move aside from HAVU’s CS:GO roster due to years of sleep problems. I find it impossible to succeed at the moment. The level of professional CS is currently very high, and you can’t keep up there with a few hours of sleep a day,” Aerial said.
“I’m not actively looking to play in a team before I have solved my sleeping problems. I wish my teammates the best of luck for the future.”
HAVU also expressed their support for Aerial in the release, thanking him for his contributions and calling the player a “veteran in the green shirt.”
“Jani [Aerial] has announced that the time has come to put playing competitively on hold for now due sleeping problems,” they wrote.
“HAVU fully supports his decision and wishes him all the best and we hope that some day he might join to play once again.”
The player started with HAVU in early 2021 and has been a part of the team for over two years. He was a part of ENCE for two years before the transfer and has remained one of HAVU’s most consistent players over the years.
Aerial recorded an impressive 1.09 rating over 459 maps during his stint and helped the team lead a remarkable run in the 2022 Elisa Masters Espoo. The event was one of the two international competitions the team participated in.
Despite Aerial’s efforts, HAVU did not show any significant improvement and failed to qualify for the concluded BLAST.tv Paris Major RMRs. They were eliminated from the last chance qualifier following a loss to 500. This led to some roster changes that took Joonas “?doto?” Forss off the team.
The organization revealed that Olli “sLowi” Pitk?nen would fill in for Aerial until they reach a more permanent arrangement.
sLowi was on HAVU for four years, playing as the team’s stand-in from 2018 to 2022. Prior to his return, sLowi played alongside Aleksi “?allu?” Jalli on JANO, recording the second-best rating at 1.04, behind allu’s 1.14.
HAVU’s current lineup includes sLowi, Sami “?xseveN?” Laasanen, Matias “?Banjo?” Kivist?, Jussi “?Airax?” Airaksinen, and Otto “?ottoNd?” Sihvo with Mikko “?xartE?” V?limaa as head coach.
HAVU will debut their new lineup on May 24 in the Elisa Invitational Spring 2023. The team are set to resume their run in the competition, where they currently boast a 1-1 record.
]]>The changes include the addition of former ENCE captain Joonas “doto” Forss, former FunPlux Phoenix rifler Jesse “zehN” Linjala, up-and-coming sniper Jarkko “Spargo” Rahja and veteran Mikko “xartE” V?limaa as the new head coach of the all-Finnish CS:GO team.
In a bid to rebuild the team around riflers Jani “Aerial” Jussila and Sami “xseveN” Laasanen, HAVU benched Joona “Sm1llee” Holmstr?m, Otto “ottoNd” Sihvo, and Olli “sLowi” Pitk?nen a few weeks ago, to create room for the new signings.
After experiencing consistently poor performances in the first half of 2022, the Finnish organization hopes the additions will raise the quality level of the squad during competitions.
Welcome @spargoCS @dotocsgo @zehncsgo @xarteCSGO
https://t.co/YZUbVRPikW pic.twitter.com/VsAtHjW6wu
— HAVU (@HAVUgaming) July 28, 2022
Both zehN and doto are reunited with HAVU as a result of the move. Doto joined the franchise in 2019 and represented its CS:GO esports team until the end of 2020 when he left to join fellow Finnish franchise, ENCE.
With his experience and the leadership skilla, the 26-year old has been made the in-game leader.
While the former FPX rifle, zehN represented HAVU for less than a year from May 3, 2018, to January 17, 2019. After his time with HAVU, he has since played for four different franchises.
Spargo joined the franchise after two years with KOVA Esports. Prior to KOVA, he had represented two other franchises, Team Viral and hREDS (formerly known as Helsinki Reds).
Reacting to re-signing with HAVU Gaming, Zehn spoke highly of the franchise. He shared his long-time desire to play alongside Aerial and xseveN, as he looks forward to raising the level of the Finnish CS:GO scene.
��I get to play in many maps the same roles that I played with international teams,�� zehN said.
��In some maps, however, my roles have changed and it gives more power in terms of learning. The first trainings have gone well and I have enjoyed playing. Returning to Finnish CS has been refreshing and I’ve always wanted to play with Aerial and XSEVEN anyway. I believe that we have a great package to raise Finnish CS to a new level.��
Spargo, who happens to be the youngest player on the roster, said:
��With a very good feeling, I go to play with such experienced teammates. I want to learn new things, but also bring my own thoughts to the team’s play. Expectations are of course high, but I try to focus only on my own performance. I feel that we have the potential all the way to the top.��
HAVU has been the best CS:GO team in Finland since ENCE went into international space. Last year, Aerial and xseveN helped get the squad to a new height, attaining the 14th place position in the world according to the HLTV rankings, after winning Snow Sweet Snow Two in April 2021.
HAVU, on the other hand, was unable to replicate those results and thus failed to make the list of qualified teams for the PGL Stockholm Major in 2021 as well as this year’s PGL Antwerp Major.
It is expected that zehN, doto, Spargo, and coach xartE will make their HAVU debuts in August at the Assembly Summer 2022 LAN tournament in Finland.
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