FaZe’s return to the LAN stage in Cologne was marked not only by a convincing win over BIG in their IEM Cologne 2025 opener but also by the reappearance — or rather, the return — of a familiar face. After two months on the bench, Helvijs “broky” Saukants is back in the starting five. His benching in late spring, the emergency substitution of s1mple for the Major, and the disappointment that followed all underscored one truth: FaZe weren’t just seeking a quick fix — they needed a full reset. And now, they’ve gone back to their roots — to their identity.
Breaking point: when FaZe lost themselves
The 2024–2025 season has been one of the most difficult in FaZe’s history. Inconsistency, losses in key matches, internal pressure, and a lack of their trademark comebacks forced team leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen to admit: the system was no longer working.
My vlog from the last few tournaments showed the worst side of my leadership. It wasn’t the proudest moment in my career. We were under pressure, we weren’t performing, we looked great one day and awful the next, he admitted.
A desperate attempt to shift the momentum led to the unexpected move of benching broky right before BLAST.tv Austin Major and bringing in s1mple as a stand-in. But even with the legendary AWPer, FaZe couldn’t get past the quarterfinals.
We thought Helvijs needed a break. Benching someone before a Major is never ideal, but even with Sasha, some of the problems persisted. We told broky to use this time to think, to work on himself — and he did. Now he’s more disciplined, physically in shape, and most importantly, he came back with a different mentality.
Not about numbers — about mental identity
broky’s return isn’t just a roster change. It’s a strategic step toward recovering the emotional spark FaZe had been missing.
I missed him in the games. He brings fire, lifts others emotionally — he’s a catalyst for the team. Sasha can do that too, but in a different way. And we needed the specific dynamic Helvijs brings, karrigan explained.
The key word that emerged through this entire process? Mentality. A team once known for never giving up and pulling off miraculous comebacks started collapsing in high-pressure moments. It was a harsh but honest self-assessment.
We all had to look in the mirror. We talked through the issues. I asked each player what they wanted to improve individually. Now my goal is to hold them accountable to those goals for the whole season.
From communication to accountability: FaZe’s off-season focus
FaZe’s prep for IEM Cologne was unconventional. They didn’t focus on tactics. Instead, they addressed the foundation — communication, trust, and personal responsibility.
I didn’t work on strategies, I literally hunted players down for bad comms. I need feedback, ideas to make mid-round calls. If no one contributes — I call them out. We can’t play as five silent solo machines, the captain said.
This approach has already shown early signs of success: despite losing all pistol rounds, FaZe managed to control the game against BIG and closed out the series 2–0. It wasn’t a breakthrough, but it was a step in the right direction.
What’s new in the game: Overpass, economy updates, and hope
As CS2 evolves, FaZe are adapting with it. Anubis has been removed from the map pool and replaced by Overpass — and the team is already putting in the work.
Anubis was a tricky map for us, even though we had one of the best CT-side stats. Overpass is a different story. I’ve always liked it — it demands structure, but allows you to be unpredictable. That’s our strength, karrigan noted.
Another topic of focus — the new economy changes, particularly the $200 CT loss bonus.
It’s one of the best updates I’ve seen. You can buy hero M4s, play more aggressively. But the $1400 loss bonus — I hate it. It kills the game’s momentum.
Looking ahead: what FaZe need to truly be FaZe again
Despite a promising start in Cologne, FaZe are not romanticizing the situation. They’ve recognized their flaws and are now working not just on maps or executions — but on themselves.
We need to bring back the FaZe that never gives up. The one that doesn’t collapse at 12–12. We don’t have the results yet, but we’re building the foundation. And with the right mentality, anything is possible.
This isn’t just a story about broky’s return. It’s a story about a team that lost its identity — and is now trying to rediscover it. At the center is a captain who admits his mistakes, a player who used his benching to come back stronger, and a group learning to become a team again.
Conclusion: FaZe aren’t starting with tactics — they’re starting with themselves
After a long period of failure, experiments, and internal disarray, FaZe realized that real change doesn’t start with transfers — it starts with honesty. broky’s return isn’t just about an AWPer slot — it’s about restoring the core DNA of the team: chemistry, mental resilience, and accountability.
Entering a season where expectations are sky-high, FaZe approach it with a renewed mindset: every player knows their role, speaks up when needed, works on their weaknesses — and most importantly, embraces responsibility.
IEM Cologne will be their first real test — not just of gameplay, but of whether this reset can translate from theory into performance. Even if the road ahead is long, FaZe have already done the most crucial thing: they’ve reclaimed the fighting spirit that once defined them. And that might be their most important victory yet.
