
CS:GO: Complexity Replace MAD Lions in ESL One Rio Minor Qualifier
| Tags: CS2
| Author Caroline Rutledge

MAD Lions have been unable to provide a full roster for the ESL One Rio European Minor closed qualifier this weekend.
MAD Lions have dropped out of the ESL One Rio European Minor closed qualifier after failing to provide a full roster. Mixed European-American team Complexity will take their place in the online event, from which eight teams will advance to the European Minor. The ESL One Rio European Minor closed qualifier will take place this weekend.
.@MADLions_CSEN have withdrawn from the #ESLOne Rio European closed qualifier due to being unable to field a suitable roster. @Complexity will take their place in the bracket and compete for a spot at the European Minor.
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) March 6, 2020
Danish squad MAD Lions have risen up the CS:GO ranks in recent months. Reaching an all-time high world ranking of 11th after third-place finishes at DreamHack Open Sevilla, DreamHack Open Leipzig, and ICE Challenge 2020. Their most recent appearance brought them to IEM Katowice; where losses to Evil Geniuses and mousesports sent them home in 9-12th place.
HUNDEN is benched
MAD Lions decided to bench in-game leader Nicolai “HUNDEN” Petersen earlier this week, leaving them without a full lineup. A report from DBLTAP revealed the team’s plan to sign former Heroic and Copenhagen Flames in-game leader Asger “AcilioN” Larsen, though no official announcement has been released.
MAD Lions’ roster instability now appears to prevent them from competing in the ESL One Rio Major qualifier circuit; and allows Complexity to take their place. Complexity’s revamped roster has shown an impressive level on LAN, beating Astralis and Vitality in the BLAST Premier Spring Series. Despite multiple attempts, the team was not able to secure a spot through the online open qualifiers. With MAD Lions’ departure, Complexity will fill the vacant spot in the closed qualifier. They'll be taking on Sprout in the opening round.
The ESL One Rio European Minor closed qualifier is set to begin on Saturday, March 7th.