After 18 months with Ninjas In Pyjamas, star AWPer Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz is set to finally return to the server during this month’s CCT North Europe Series 2 playoffs. dev1ce’s Astralis return has been highly anticipated since his sensational comeback in late-October, though he has had to remain patient for his opportunity to make his second debut.
The 27-year old Dane rewrote CS:GO history during his first Astralis stint, where he became part of the first team to win three consecutive majors, winning four in total. Despite his past successes, dev1ce’s career has been in hiatus, having not played competitively since December 2021 due to declining mental health.
What Can We Expect From dev1ce’s Astralis Return?
While expectations are understandably high, dev1ce has been speaking to ensure that fans don’t get carried away.
“The results haven’t been there at all, everybody can see that… look at the Major. Look at our good friends and colleagues out there – it is not that easy to stay on top and no team does that for a long period of time… I really don’t think we’re that far away, and the time we have to build on our game… It could actually end up being an advantage for us.”
Though dev1ce has remained in-shape during his sideline stint, returning to such a high level will take time. Whenever Astralis suffer a loss, naysayers will no doubt emerge in force to declare their new era a failure. It’s crucial that dev1ce and his team ignore the social media noise, and compete without distraction.
Astralis will have two huge motivations going forward. They’ll have one eye on the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, and with six months until the event begins, it’s the perfect opportunity for Astralis to announce their return to CS:GO’s elite. They’ll also be motivated by the form of Heroic, who have staked their claim as one of the best teams on the planet.
Dev1ce is used to fragging for the best team in the world. Now, he isn’t even part of the best roster in Denmark. Before Astralis can return to the game’s pinnacle, they first have to topple cadiaN’s men and reclaim their place atop the Danish throne.
Who Plays For Astralis Now?
Astralis’ roster is no stranger to upheaval, after k0nfig’s recent Malta attack forcing the organization to release the player and reconsider the team’s future. Dev1ce’s return is a reunion with both Andreas ‘Xyp9x’ Højsleth and Lukas ‘gla1ve’ Rossander, both of whom were essential to Astralis’ past successes. They’ll be hoping this reunion on the server is enough to rekindle the glory years of Astralis, a journey which will begin with CCT North Europe Series 2, where their roster is:
Lukas ‘gla1ve’ Rossander
Andreas ‘Xyp9x’ Højsleth
Mikkel ‘MistR’ Thomsen
Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz
Benjamin ‘blameF’ bremer
Read next: Best CSGO teams in 2022
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