G2 benches IGL HooXi ahead of Esports World Cup

Games Writer

Last Updated on 09/16/2024

In its summer offseason shuffle, G2 Esports has parted ways with in-game leader Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen following the removal of Nemanja “nexa” Isaković from the starting lineup.

G2 Esports is currently undergoing a mini-overhaul in the summer off-season of 2024. The European organization earlier dropped nexa after a six-month stint, a decision that ultimately proved beneficial. G2 achieved victory at IEM Dallas 2024, led by Nikola “NiKo” Kovač with Jacky “Stewie2k” Yip standing in for ex-IGL HooXi.

Following their victory in IEM Dallas, G2 seems to have pinpointed it weakness, considering it hadn’t won any big tournaments since 2023. Fans had speculated that G2 might replace HooXi due to the team’s exceptional performance at IEM Dallas in his absence, and that’s exactly what happened.

Taking to X, G2 Esports has confirmed his departure from the lineup. The organization is now helping the player to find a new team.

G2 Esports drops HooXi from the starting lineup

Hooxi G2 Esports

To shake things up ahead of the Esports World Cup, G2 Esports has benched HooXi. His replacement is currently unknown, but this change may bring Niko back to the IGL role.

The former Copenhagen Flames captain was brought in to lead the G2 squad on August 16, 2022. Instead of turning things around for the European organization, HooXi ended up being fodder for memes. Dubbed the GigaChad for failing to maintain a decent rating, HooXi eventually bounced back in at the tail end of 2022, becoming a star player in ESL Pro League Season 16.

G2 Esports was on a winning streak briefly, lifting a trophy at the BLAST Premier World Final in 2022 and then at IEM Katowice and Cologne in 2023, respectively. That was all under HooXi’s leadership. However, his redemption arc didn’t last for too long.

G2 Esports stayed at the lower end of the world rankings for the rest of 2023. Prior to IEM Dallas 2024, HooXi took a break to attend his sister’s wedding. With nexa already off the roster, G2 entered the tournament with an almost entirely new lineup and ended up claiming the top spot. This may have caused G2 Esports to take the leap and cut HooXi off after almost two years.

While HooXi had a rough start, he had a decorated journey in G2 Esports with three significant wins under his belt.

G2 Esports lineup with HooXi gone: