Continuing from the news of Gustavo “Juve” Alexandre looking for offers outside of ITB four days ago, logical steps could take you to the conclusion that the team were going to make further changes – here they are.
Ever since this success in Paris, we’ve been vying to stake a claim in the tier 2 or even 1 scene, learning as we go in a ruthlessly competitive environment.
Sam “SlayTheMinotaur” Macedonio
As we all know by now, ITB with their British core made history last year in Paris. However, when you get to the top, it is always hard to remain there. After the major, Cai “CYPHER” Watson moved to TSM and Sebastian “volt” Maloș departed to GamerLegion saying “GamerLegion have a better plan for the future compared to what we had in ITB” in an interview with HLTV.
ITB celebrating on the Blast.TV Paris Major stage
Trying to replace two key elements of a roster is never easy, and this proved to be the undoing of ITB. A slew of names came in and out of the squad over the last year, Alexey “Qikert” Golubev, Adam “NEOFRAG” Zouhar and Alexandre “Bodyy” Pianaro are examples of some. Even though it is easy to slam on ITB, they did have some decent results towards the end of the year. They were one win away from making both the $500,000 Thunderpick World Championship and the Blast Premier Fall Showdown, moreover, they won the CCT East Europe Series 4. Unfortunately, it was clear that the team couldn’t compete at a consistent tier 1 level as we saw them not win a map in the IEM Cologne play-ins, getting knocked out by The Mongolz.
However, regardless of their past, they could have redeemed themselves at the PGL RMRs, after bringing back Thomas “Thomas” Utting and extending the contracts of their existing Major core to retain their automatic invite. “Unfortunately, it just hasn’t worked out for us, and the lack-lustre performance at the RMR means we’re essentially back to square one in terms of roster development”, founder Sam “SlayTheMinotaur” Macedonio commented in his statement.
As this brings us to the modern day, Into the Breach has confirmed Juve‘s removal by benching him as he looks for other opportunities and both Aurimas “Bymas” Pipiras and Kévin “misutaaa” Rabier will be transfer-listed.
Therefore, Into the Breach is left with British captain Thomas “Thomas” Utting, Dutch AWPer Joey “CRUC1AL” Steusel and Polish rifler Karol “rallen” Rodowicz – the core that brought ITB to top eight at a major.
CRUC1AL and Thomas look to rebuild alongside rallen.
In their final remarks, ITB stated:
We’re discussing with the rest of the roster how to move next and what is best for their careers, but one thing is clear – we will commit to a new core of the same nationality, whether that be U.K or otherwise, we’re done with mixes.
This direction means that Into the Breach still have a number of options open to them – with one UK player, one Dutchman, and a Pole still on the lineup, and a number of players now on the market, only time will tell which options they will take as they look to return to the top.
Into the Breach will look to rebuild around three:
Thomas “Thomas” Utting
Joey “CRUC1AL” Steusel
Karol “rallen” Rodowicz
Aurimas “Bymas” Pipiras (transfer-listed)
Kévin “misutaaa” Rabier (transfer-listed)
Gustavo “Juve” Alexandre (coach, benched)
