Several professional CS2 players are mourning the upcoming end of ESL Impact, the premier circuit for women’s CS, and FURIA’s superstar Bruna “bizinha” Marvila is no different.
In an interview with Jaxon.gg, the veteran talked about how the announcement left everyone in FURIA sad, especially because of the uncertainty that lies ahead of the end of ESL Impact following Season 8.
“There’s a feeling of sadness after we saw the news,” bizinha said.
“We don’t know how next year is going to be. Experienced players know that it will be unpredictable. But we have faith that something will fulfill this void in the calendar, so that the scene doesn’t stop.”
The importance of ESL Impact to the women’s CS2 scene can’t be underestimated. The circuit has been the backbone of women’s CS since ESL created it in 2022.
Teams play a regional version of the league twice a year, and the top teams qualify for the two ESL Impact LAN finals.
Bizinha was optimistic about the future even though ESL had already taken measures to cut costs last year. These included shutting down the ESL Impact tournament in Katowice, and removing a pathway to the league finals for Asia and Oceania.
But, all things considered, bizinha thanked ESL for running an exclusive circuit for women.
I want to thank them for all the seasons. I don’t know what they could have done, as I don’t have access to backstage.
However, I know that the Season 7 grand finals between FURIA and Supernova Comets had great repercussion, and it looked like that it drew a lot of viewers.
But, that’s my vision as someone who don’t know what goes on behind the scenes of the event. We thought that we were doing a good job, so all that is left is to be grateful for what they’ve done.
With the help of bizinha, FURIA defeated Supernova Comets in the grand finals of ESL Impact Season 7 finals. According to Esports Charts, that match peaked at 102,644 viewers.
FlyQuest RED is one of the teams fighting to keep women’s CS alive. Credit: Helena Kristiansson | © ESL
Though the news obviously left players and fans astonished, teams are already teaming up to keep the women’s scene alive after ESL Impact shuts down in November, following the conclusion of Season 8.
MIBR, FlyQuest RED, and Imperial — three of the biggest organizations investing in women’s CS — will do everything in their power to keep the scene alive. In a statement, MIBR urged fans to support the women’s scene.
Together with FlyQuest RED and Imperial, we reaffirm our commitment to do everything we can to keep women’s Counter-Strike alive and thriving worldwide. But, for this to happen, we need the power of the community.
Watch, support, engage, cheer. Every view, every interaction, every word of encouragement matters. The future of women’s CS depends on all of us.
Perhaps, as FlyQuest RED put it, it’s time for the women’s scene to look forward and not give up.
“ESL Impact is ending, women’s CS is not.”
Feature image credit: Rachel Matthews | © ESL
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