In the second stage of the 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major, Nemiga team defeated M80 2-0 and attracted attention from the outside world again. Although this team from the CIS region is not a giant in recent years, it has frequently created upsets in international competitions. And their success is by no means accidental.
This article will review Nemiga’s tactical style evolution, key player structure, historical record changes, and combine the outstanding performance of Austin Major to analyze the true background of this “dark horse”.
1. Tactical style: aggressive map control + precise counterattack
Nemiga’s tactical style can be summarized in four words: “active pressure”. As early as the CS:GO era, they used high-frequency B-point fast attack and mid-lane flanking as the main rhythm. After the transition to CS2, Nemiga’s system gradually moved closer to the mainstream European tactics, while retaining the traditional fierce point-breaking characteristics of CIS.
Core play characteristics:
Early three-person map pressure and extreme point control: The CT side often uses two people to block smoke to grab Banana or A long, and then follow up to clear. The T side uses flash support to open the opponent’s defense line.
High frequency first kill attempts: According to HLTV data, Nemiga’s average first kill success rate in 2025 maps reached 61.3%, significantly higher than most teams of the same level.
Scientific distribution of positions after the explosion point: focus on post-plant formation, AWP guards the CT door or long pass, and rifler stays inside the point to set up crossfire.
Take the victory over M80 in Austin Major as an example. In Dust2, they repeatedly deployed 2-1-2 on the T side in the early stage, used flash to penetrate the B channel, and quickly controlled the mid-B space. M80 was repeatedly suppressed in advance and unable to counterattack.
2. Player structure and style compatibility
Nemiga’s lineup is not full of stars, but it is very practical. Take the current five players as an example:
| Player | Role | Playstyle Description |
| khaN | Main AWPer | Aggressively seeks picks, excels in reactive plays and clutch rounds. |
| zweih | Entry Fragger | Sharp forward pushes, often used as an entry bait or site breaker. |
| Xant3r | Rifle Core | Quick repositioning at mid-range, extremely low error rate. |
| grizzon | Support | Master of utility usage, often holds map edges for information. |
| CePeKu | In-Game Leader (IGL) | Decisive, keeps tempo high without hesitation. |
Their player combination emphasizes rhythm synchronization rather than individual bursts. Although khaN’s AWP does not have top firepower, its position in the endgame and after the point breaking is extremely critical. Xant3r and zweih provide stable damage output, making it impossible for the enemy’s defense to take shape.
3. Nemiga’s performance path and rise background
Although Nemiga was founded in 2017, it did not begin to gradually enter the Tier 2 international competition circle until mid-2023. The following are representative results in recent years:
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2023 | CCT Central Europe Series 7 | Quarterfinals |
| 2024 | RES Western Europe #4 | Semifinals |
| 2024 | ESEA Advanced EU | Champion (Promoted to ESL Challenger) |
| 2025 | BLAST.tv Austin Major | At least 22 record, still in contention |
In many small European competitions, they constantly compete with teams such as FORZE, GamerLegion, HEET, and frequently upset. Through these trials, Nemiga has completed the transformation from a regional team to an international disruptor.
It is worth noting that they had changed their command structure several times before 2025, and it was not until CePeKu joined that they really stabilized.
4. Data confirms Nemiga’s potential
According to statistics released by Pley and HLTV:
Win rate in the first half of 2025: 57.6% (38 games in total)
Top two map win rates: Overpass (67%) and Ancient (61%)
The strongest combination of duos: khaN + zweih, with an average round damage combination of 132.4 ADR
After the M80 battle, the team’s world ranking jumped to 45th (previously 52)
These numbers show that Nemiga is not a flash in the pan, but a structural team with the potential to steadily impact higher-level events.
Conclusion
Nemiga is no longer just a “discarded child” on the pre-match odds table, but has grown into a real opponent that can influence the direction of BO3. At the Austin Major, their performance was not only a victory, but also a display of the results of the evolution of style and structure.
For small and medium-sized teams that want to break through the status quo, Nemiga provides a vivid example: relying on rhythm design, role complementarity and map understanding, they can still gain a foothold in top competitions.
In the next Swiss round, they will fight hard on the edge of the promotion line. From the current point of view, this team already has a bigger stage and future.
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