When Natus Vincere promoted their star prospect makazze to the main roster, it marked a major shift in the academy’s trajectory. Alongside the announcement came another: the remaining players of NAVI Junior — dem0n, Krabeni, cmtry, dziugss, and coach coolio — were officially put up for transfer. On the surface, this looked like a standard end-of-cycle transition. But in reality, this group isn’t a fragmented academy squad. It’s a proven, functional tier-2 lineup that deserves to be preserved — not dismantled.
This isn’t a collection of rookies needing guidance. This is a team that already plays structured, competitive Counter-Strike at a high level. The departure of makazze, while significant, does not invalidate what NAVI Junior have become: a self-sufficient roster with an in-game leader, an impactful AWP, a solid support core — and most importantly, a year of proven chemistry and results.
A Core That Works — And Wins
The current NAVI Junior core has been playing together for over a year. Each player has more than 330 maps under their belt. dem0n and Krabeni — both with 375 maps played — serve as the foundation of this lineup. Krabeni, in particular, has been exceptional, averaging a 1.09 rating while taking on key fragging duties. dziugss and cmtry complement the structure, forming a reliable and consistent support duo.
They’re coached by András “coolio” Fercsák, who’s been with the team since early 2024. Over 334 maps, the squad has maintained a 64% winrate — an elite figure for any academy program. This is not just a developmental project. It’s a functional, battle-tested team.
Their individual statistics reflect maturity:
- Krabeni – 1.09 rating
- dem0n – 1.06 rating
- cmtry – 1.05 rating
- dziugss – 1.06 rating
These aren’t inflated numbers from academy-only events. These figures come from a year of grinding through CCTs, ESL Challenger League, and open qualifiers to tier-1 events.
Tier-2 Results, Tier-1 Foundation
In 2025 alone, NAVI Junior:
- Won two back-to-back CCT Season 3 European Series (#2 and #3), Won Thunderpick World Championship EU Series #1
- Placed 5–6th at ESL Challenger League Season 49 Europe
- Wo A-tier tournament YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025, and became the first academic squad to achieve such a result.
- Earned over $158,500 in prize money
- Achieved a #27 spot in Valve’s Regional Standings
They’ve competed against full-tier rosters, taken maps off more experienced teams, and outperformed many squads with significantly larger budgets. The results show this team has already arrived on the tier-2 scene — and isn’t just passing through.
The Only Missing Piece
The departure of makazze certainly leaves a gap. He was their most explosive piece — aggressive, fearless in entry duels, and often the player who set the tempo in T-side defaults. But this isn’t a team that now needs a new IGL, new AWP, or new vision. What they need is a single player who can replace makazze’s impact: a space-creator with firepower and confidence.
One player. That’s it. Someone who can slot into an already-coherent system and help elevate them to consistent top-30 contention. That is not a rebuild. That is an adjustment. And for a team this experienced and coordinated, that adjustment could yield immediate results.
A Wasted Opportunity?
NAVI’s official statement mentioned that “the limitations of the CS ecosystem do not allow the academy team to further develop under the NAVI tag.” Technically, that’s true — NAVI Junior cannot participate in the same tournaments as the main NAVI roster due to a clear conflict of interest. Whether it’s RMR qualifiers, partner events, or open circuits, tournament organizers enforce strict separation. From a sporting and business standpoint, it’s a non-negotiable barrier.
But NAVI Junior are not truly limited by the ecosystem — they’re limited by perception. This isn’t just a group of prospects waiting for a call-up. They’ve already broken past the academy ceiling. They’ve qualified for events like PGL and IEM, played deep in CCTs, and faced off against full-fledged tier-2 rosters like Passion UA and Fnatic.
With the right support and a single roster move, NAVI Junior could become a legitimate threat on the tier-2 circuit — and eventually push for tier-1. Whether they continue under a different banner or attract a new investor, this project is too far along — and too successful — to be treated like just another academy reset.
Not every academy team graduates into a proper lineup. Most don’t. But NAVI Junior is the rare exception: a core with chemistry, results, and a future. All they need is recognition — and the right fifth player. If they stay together, they’re not just a feeder team. They’re a contender.
Final Thoughts
NAVI Junior is no longer just an academy project — it’s a proven, results-driven team that outgrew its label. They’ve built a competitive identity, earned respect in the tier-2 scene, and shown they can win trophies, not just develop talent. The departure of makazze doesn’t signal the end — it opens the door for a smarter evolution.
The current four-man core has everything a top-tier roster needs: synergy, structure, and experience across hundreds of maps. What they lack is opportunity — not skill. And in an era where so many rosters are chasing stability, NAVI Junior have already found it.
Letting this team dissolve would be a mistake. Backing it — whether under NAVI or another banner — could be one of the smartest investments in tier-2 Counter-Strike today.
