FunPlus Phoenix Adds Analyst and Substitute Ahead of Champions
FunPlus Phoenix has strengthened its VALORANT team by bringing on board an analyst and a substitute ahead of the Champions tournament, the organization revealed today.
New Additions to the Team
Emir “rhyme” Muminovic, a former player for Gen.G, has joined the team as a substitute. Meanwhile, Neil “neilzinho” Finlay, who previously worked with G2 Esports and DarkZero, has been signed as an analyst for the European squad.
Rhyme and Neilzinho Return to Europe
Rhyme and Neilzinho, both originally from Europe, have made the move back from North America after their stints in the region.
A Substitute’s Role
Having a substitute player makes sense for the team, considering their past issues with travel at events. A substitute can also be brought in for specific maps, adding flexibility to the lineup.
Challenges for Ukrainian Players
Several players on FPX are based in Eastern Europe. With two players residing in Russia and Ukrainian in-game leader Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov facing travel difficulties due to the military invasion earlier this year, having a substitute can provide stability to the team.
The War Situation
Ukrainian players need government permission to leave the country due to the ongoing war. Reports suggest that over 10,000 civilians have lost their lives in the conflict, with both sides experiencing military casualties (source: BBC).
Starting Lineup Announced
While Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky and Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin have been named in the starting lineup for FPX, according to the organization’s recent announcement (source: Twitter), having a substitute player can provide flexibility and options for the team.
Success at VCT Masters
FPX emerged victorious in the most recent VCT Masters event held in Copenhagen, Denmark, which concluded in July.
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