Apeks withdraw from ESEA Advanced: “We need time to reflect and evaluate”

Apeks have revealed that they have withdrawn their main CS:GO roster from all of their upcoming tournament appearances, including ESEA Advanced Season 42, where the European mix were fighting their way through the upper-bracket of the playoffs.

The news comes just six weeks after the side completed their off-season overhaul, where the organisation recruited the services of Justinas “⁠jL⁠” Lekavicius and Major winner, Richard “⁠shox⁠” Papillon, while also moving Martin “⁠STYKO⁠” Styk to the in-game leader role.

Apeks have failed to translate their recent, high-profile signings into tangible results in the server, notably missing out on a spot at the IEM Road to Rio Europe RMR following an overtime defeat to GamerLegion in the fourth and final open qualifier. Their inability to secure an RMR berth also all but puts an end to shox‘s record of attending every Major since CS:GO’s release, one he currently shares with Peter “⁠dupreeh⁠” Rasmussen and Andreas “⁠Xyp9x⁠” Højsleth.

The roster were also unable to live up to expectations in their surprise decision to compete at the recently concluded Fragadelphia 17 event in the USA, finishing in 3-4th place after a gut-wrenching 1-2 loss to BIG Academy in the semi-finals — a considerable blow considering their academy roster, Apeks Rebels, previously finished in second place at the prior iteration of the grassroots event.

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shox’s Major streak set to end as Apeks bomb out of qualifier

CCT Central Europe Series 2 was also a sub-par performance for the European mix, with STYKO and company bowing out in the group stage with a 1-3 record; following losses to eSuba (No. 96), HONORIS (No. 90), and Enterprise (No. 65). This run of poor form ultimately left the side unable to move past their peak at No. 62 in the world ranking.

“Due to our current state we have decided to withdraw the main CS team from all competitions.” Apeks said in their announcement tweet, “our results have been far from good enough and we need time to reflect and evaluate until we feel ready.”

Apeks have the following roster:

Tim “⁠nawwk⁠” Jonasson
Joakim “⁠jkaem⁠” Myrbostad
Martin “⁠STYKO⁠” Styk
Justinas “⁠jL⁠” Lekavicius
Richard “⁠shox⁠” Papillon

Jakub “⁠kuben⁠” Gurczynski (coach)