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Astralis completed its international rebuild on October 13, 2026, signing Polish in-game leader Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek and Ukrainian player Nikita “cmtry” Samolotov. They replace benched Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen and Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard, leaving Victor “Staehr” Staehr as the only Dane in Astralis’ starting Counter-Strike 2 lineup.
What Astralis changed
The signings finalize a five-player lineup built around international communication: siuhy, cmtry, Staehr, Love “phzy” Smidebrant and Gytis “ryu” Glušauskas. Siuhy becomes the in-game leader, while cmtry is expected to move into a rifling role after primarily playing as an AWPer for NAVI Junior and FUT.
This is more than two substitutions. Astralis no longer has a Danish-majority starting roster, ending the national identity that defined its most successful period. The organization had already begun moving toward English communication when it signed phzy and ryu earlier in 2026 while HooXi, Staehr and jabbi maintained a Danish core. The latest moves complete that transition.
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Why HooXi and jabbi were benched
Astralis benched HooXi and jabbi on October 9, four days before announcing the new signings. HLTV reported that both players were nearing the end of their contracts and that renewal discussions had stalled. Astralis parent-company founder and Fusion Esports CEO Jonas Gundersen presented the decision as a deliberate change in direction, saying: “Sometimes you need to fully close a chapter in order to create space for something new to grow.”
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The timing means the roster change was shaped by both competitive planning and contract uncertainty. HooXi’s leadership role is now transferred to siuhy, and jabbi’s previous rifling position is being addressed by cmtry’s role change.
Old Danish core versus the new international lineup
| Area | Previous setup | New setup |
|---|---|---|
| National composition | Danish core of HooXi, Staehr and jabbi, alongside the international additions phzy and ryu | Staehr is the only Dane among the five starters; siuhy and cmtry join phzy and ryu as international players |
| In-game leadership | HooXi | siuhy |
| Role affected by the change | jabbi’s established rifling role | cmtry is expected to rifle after mainly playing AWPer earlier in his career |
| Communication | Danish-rooted structure moving toward English | English-speaking international setup |
| Contract situation | HooXi and jabbi were approaching contract expiry, with renewal talks stalled | The organization is evaluating how permanent the new construction will be |
| Immediate objective | Maintain the existing core | Stabilize the lineup before the PGL Singapore Major |
Who are siuhy and cmtry?
siuhy: the new captain
Siuhy, whose full name is Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek, arrives as Astralis’ in-game leader. His primary responsibility will be converting five players from different national backgrounds and previous systems into a coherent tactical unit. Replacing an established caller also changes how Astralis prepares rounds, distributes information and handles mid-round decisions.
cmtry: an AWPer transitioning to rifle
Nikita “cmtry” Samolotov is Ukrainian. He has primarily played as an AWPer for NAVI Junior and FUT, but Astralis is expected to use him as a rifler. That switch makes his signing a role experiment as well as a direct roster replacement: the team is asking him to contribute with a different weapon profile while learning siuhy’s system.
What happened to Astralis’ Danish identity?
Astralis’ all-Danish era produced one of Counter-Strike’s defining runs. The organization’s Danish lineup won four Majors between 2017 and 2019, a record highlighted in historical coverage by Insider Gaming. Staehr is now the sole Danish starter, so that legacy remains represented by one player rather than a national core.
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The change does not erase Astralis’ Danish history, but it alters how the team can build its identity. English communication and international recruiting can expand the available player pool, while also requiring more deliberate work on terminology, role expectations and team culture.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is this the permanent Astralis roster?
Not necessarily. Insider Gaming describes the signings as a way to stabilize Astralis ahead of the PGL Singapore Major while the organization assesses whether siuhy and cmtry are permanent solutions. The same report says additional roster changes could follow in the off-season. That makes the Singapore Major an important early test, but not proof that the five-player lineup is locked for the long term. Read the report at Insider Gaming.
What to watch at the PGL Singapore Major
- Leadership transfer: How quickly siuhy can establish a functioning tactical system after replacing HooXi.
- cmtry’s rifle adaptation: Whether his move away from a primarily AWP role produces a reliable fit alongside the team’s other positions.
- Communication under pressure: Whether the international, English-speaking structure can maintain clear calls in high-stakes rounds.
- Role stability: Whether Astralis keeps the announced responsibilities or adjusts them during the tournament cycle.
- Long-term commitment: Whether the organization treats the lineup as its next core or makes further changes after the off-season evaluation.
The immediate result is clear: Astralis has closed the chapter on a Danish-majority starting five and entered its most international configuration yet. Its next competitive results will determine whether that reset becomes a lasting rebuild or a temporary bridge to another roster.
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