CS:GO: MSL Returns to North, JUGi Benched
| Tags: CS2
| Author Caroline Rutledge
Mathias “MSL” Lauridsen has returned to North, the organization announced in a video shared on Twitter. The famed in-game leader replaces AWPer Jakob “JUGi” Hansen on North’s active CS:GO roster. MSL has represented North in the past, though he was benched from the team in September of 2018.
#DawnofNorth jersey x Capgemini x Massive Surprise Later in the video pic.twitter.com/6qJEYPtxfw
— North (@TheNorthIsHere) January 17, 2020
Mathias “MSL” Lauridsen first signed with North in January of 2017 alongside his former Dignitas teammates. They were part of the organization’s first-ever Counter-Strike lineup. During his tenure with the team, North placed second at the ESL Pro League Season 5 Finals and DreamHack Masters Malmo 2017. They lifted trophies at DreamHack Open events in Montreal, Tours, and Valencia before defeating Astralis to win DreamHack Masters Stockholm in 2018. MSL was named MVP of the Swedish event. The team managed quarter-final appearances at both the Eleague Atlanta and PGL Krakow Majors. North suffered an early elimination at the FACEIT London Major in 2018, and MSL was released shortly after.
Going Rogue
Following his departure from North, MSL played under the Rogue and OpTic Gaming banners. He found minimal international success on both teams, with top results including a 5-6th placing at DreamHack Open Atlanta 2018 and a victory at DreamHack Open Summer 2019. OpTic Gaming’s CS:GO roster disbanded in October of last year, and MSL has been without a team since. His re-signing with North marks the end of Jakob “JUGi” Hansen’s time on the active lineup.
Thank you, @JUGiOfficial!
Statement from Head of Esport Operations, Graham Pitt (@messioso):
"Jakob's departure from the starting roster is an unfortunate necessity to restore balance to a team that has been lacking strong and structured leadership." pic.twitter.com/nJLzwvEQnY
— North (@TheNorthIsHere) January 17, 2020
JUGi joined North in May of 2019 after a year-long stint with OpTic Gaming. Following his signing, North reached the semi-finals of the ECS Season 7 Finals, though continued to struggle in other big international events. North placed 12-14th at the StarLadder Berlin Major, 9-12th at StarSeries Season 8, and 13-16th at the ESL Pro League Season 10 Finals. The Danish squad closed out 2019 with a victory at DreamHack Open Sevilla. Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for IEM Katowice at the start of 2020.
It is currently unclear where JUGi will go next. MSL will make his North debut next week at DreamHack Open Leipzig.