With the CS2 professional battlefield continuing to heat up in 2025, the G2 team once again caused a stir in the industry. Following the Austin Major, G2 officially completed two major signings: signing the top sniper SunPayus from Spain, and introducing the core coach of the Portuguese SAW in one fell swoop. This lineup reorganization not only represents G2’s ambition for future results, but also a major reshaping of the European CS2 team landscape.
SunPayus: Advancement from a potential new star to a top sniper
The rise of SunPayus is not accidental. This 24-year-old Spanish sniper once performed well in the Movistar Riders period. With his outstanding data and stable performance in international competitions, he once ranked among the S-tier players. In the Austin Major, his K/D ratio was as high as 1.24, far exceeding the average level of the competition, making him one of the hottest players in Western Europe.
After joining G2, SunPayus will take over the sniper position of m0NESY. Although the latter has not yet officially announced his destination, the addition of SunPayus means that G2 is willing to reconstruct the tactical system with a different style of play. His slow-paced gun-mounting and explosive endgame handling capabilities may form a new chemical reaction with NiKo and huNter-.
Coach SAW joins G2: Tactical structure ushered in a system upgrade
In addition to signing SunPayus, G2 also officially announced the joining of the famous Portuguese coach SAW. This decision has a far-reaching impact on the overall strategic level of the team. SAW previously coached Movistar Riders and had close cooperation with SunPayus. He is known for his meticulous tactics and rigorous execution. Under his leadership, Movistar Riders has entered the main competitions of many S-level events and created a dark horse performance in the European RMR.
The arrival of SAW means that G2 has officially started a new chapter in the coaching seat. He will take over the previous tactical team and may redefine G2’s combat style. From the previous system that focuses on the free play of star players, it has shifted to a more focused control of the map, information linkage and mid-to-late tactical scheduling.
More importantly, SunPayus and SAW have a long-term cooperation foundation, and this tacit understanding will make tactical execution more efficient. Compared with last year’s data that the success rate of tactical execution was only 58%, under the command and adjustment of SAW in the new season, G2 is expected to significantly improve its map reading ability and key game handling ability.
Datas:
SunPayus’s data in Austin Major: 1.24 K/D, average ADR is 78.6
G2’s average ranking in the last 10 games: Top 8
SAW’s win rate in 2025: 62%, defeated Cloud9 and ENCE
G2’s sniper output dependence: 35% during the m0NESY period, may be more average in the future
G2’s move intends to stabilize its performance in the long term
Since the end of the Austin Major, the flow of personnel between European teams has increased significantly. FaZe, Vitality, NaVi and other teams are seeking adjustments, especially the sniper position and IGL position. G2’s first step in completing the reinforcement this time not only shows that they are dissatisfied with the current lineup, but also reveals the team management’s urgent need for long-term stable results.
Data shows that G2’s average tournament performance from the second half of 2024 to date is Top 8, and it has only won the runner-up once in IEM Sydney. Whether the addition of SunPayus can break through this bottleneck remains to be verified. But judging from the style fit and the player’s status, this operation has significantly improved G2’s tactical flexibility and sniper output.
Market response and player movement
With SunPayus replacing m0NESY, speculation about the latter’s whereabouts has also heated up rapidly. There are rumors that Vitality is quite interested in his performance and is even willing to offer a seven-figure transfer fee. On the other hand, G2’s original IGL hooxi may also face replacement. If Roman is confirmed as the main commander, hooxi is likely to transfer or retreat to the bench.
These trends are not only related to G2 itself, but will also trigger a chain reaction. For example, will SAW be completely disbanded? Or will it turn to young local players for reconstruction? G2’s “full set of signings” operation may break the delicate balance between the mid-stream teams in Europe.
Conclusion
G2’s signings this time are both an adventure and a highly targeted tactical reshaping.From the short-term effect, G2 will quickly test the new system in the second half of the year; and from the long-term planning point of view, this may be the most promising lineup update for G2 since 2019.
As CS2 events enter a period of intensive competition, G2’s new lineup will face multiple international stage tests in the coming months. Regardless of success or failure, this operation will become a landmark event in the CS2 transfer market in 2025. For G2 fans, the joining of SunPayus and SAW brings not only freshness, but also renewed hope.
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