G2 Esports has made a surprising but strategic decision for PGL Astana 2025: Wiktor ‘TaZ’ Wojtas, the team’s coach and a legendary Counter-Strike figure, will be standing in for Nemanja ‘huNter-’ Kovač due to ongoing VISA complications. The tournament, taking place in Astana from May 10 to May 18, promises fierce competition—and G2’s new lineup adds an unexpected twist. With huNter- temporarily sidelined, G2 Esports is navigating a critical moment with TaZ stepping out of his coaching role and back into the server.
The move raises questions about team cohesion, adaptability, and how this roster shuffle will impact G2’s early-stage performance. While substitutes are not new to competitive esports, a coach replacing a star rifler in a top-tier tournament is certainly noteworthy—especially a coach with such deep legacy in the game. Let’s break down what this change means for G2 Esports at PGL Astana 2025 and how TaZ’s presence could influence more than just tactics.
Why G2 Esports chose TaZ as their temporary fifth
When your primary rifler can’t make it, chemistry matters more than fragging power.
G2 Esports needed a fast yet thoughtful solution after huNter- encountered VISA issues preventing his travel to Kazakhstan. Instead of bringing in another fragger, the organization tapped into its own leadership by assigning coach TaZ as a temporary stand-in. The reasoning? Familiarity, experience, and the ability to stabilize rather than destabilize the roster.
TaZ isn’t just a coach—he’s a former Major winner and veteran of elite-level Counter-Strike. That kind of pedigree is hard to replicate, and his presence on the server brings strategic depth and veteran calm. For a tournament like PGL Astana 2025, which carries enormous weight in the CS2 esports calendar, having a seasoned mind in-game could help G2 stay competitive even without their star rifler.
Understanding the impact of huNter- VISA issues
When red tape keeps your star player benched, flexibility becomes your best weapon.
The absence of Nemanja ‘huNter-’ Kovač is a serious setback. As one of G2’s top performers, huNter- plays a key role in the team’s firepower and in-game synergy. Unfortunately, unresolved VISA issues have delayed his ability to travel to Kazakhstan, leaving G2 to make emergency adjustments just days before the tournament begins.
This kind of disruption can rattle even well-drilled squads. From playbook changes to role reassignment, the absence of huNter- puts pressure on every other roster member. G2 will rely heavily on in-server leadership from their captain Snax, as well as seamless coordination with malbsMd, HeavyGod, and the on-loan AWPer hades.
A look at the G2 lineup heading into PGL Astana 2025
New faces, new configurations—can this roster click under pressure?
G2 Esports’ current tournament lineup is a unique blend of firepower and flexibility:
- Janusz ‘Snax’ Pogorzelski (Captain)
- Mario ‘malbsMd’ Samayoa
- Nikita ‘HeavyGod’ Martynenko
- Aleksander ‘hades’ Miśkiewicz (on loan)
- Wiktor ‘TaZ’ Wojtas (stand-in for huNter-)
With huNter-’s absence, Snax’s leadership becomes even more critical, while hades is positioned to be a pivotal playmaker from the AWP role. malbsMd and HeavyGod, both younger talents, will be closely watched for their adaptability and resilience under pressure.
TaZ’s inclusion reshapes this lineup into something of an unconventional threat. While he may lack recent competitive hours compared to full-time pros, his presence is less about raw mechanical output and more about contributing smart rotations, steady shot-calling, and veteran reads on opposing teams.
How TaZ’s stand-in role affects team dynamics
Don’t underestimate the impact of experience in the server.
Replacing a star rifler like huNter- isn’t just a matter of swapping names on a scoreboard—it affects G2 Esports’ entire team dynamic. The good news? TaZ brings decades of Counter-Strike knowledge to a young, evolving squad. As both a player and coach, he’s uniquely positioned to provide direct in-game leadership while developing map control strategies in real time.
This hybrid presence blurs the line between coach and player, giving G2 an edge in mid-round adjustments. His synergy with Snax—another classic CS legend—adds conversation-level coordination that can be extremely valuable, especially on CT sides or in slow-paced executes.
On the flip side, G2 does sacrifice some mechanical output and reaction-based fragging firepower. But if they can survive the opening matches and buy time until huNter- rejoins, this tactical-heavy approach might just carry them through the group stage.
What PGL Astana 2025 means for G2 Esports
Time-limited lineup, long-term implications.
PGL Astana 2025 isn’t just another Counter-Strike 2 tournament—it’s the centerpiece of the spring esports season. With international prestige, high stakes, and elite competition on display, how G2 performs here could impact future invitations, partnerships, and roster decisions.
Should the TaZ-led squad overperform expectations, G2 might lean into further structural experiments or even reconsider long-term coaching roles. If the gamble falters, they’ll have to recalibrate fast for upcoming events as huNter- regains eligibility.
Either way, fans will be closely watching how this storied organization adapts in real time to a highly unpredictable situation.
Frequently asked questions about G2 Esports with TaZ stand-in for PGL Astana 2025 (FAQ)
Who is replacing huNter- for G2 Esports during PGL Astana 2025?
Wiktor ‘TaZ’ Wojtas, G2’s coach and Counter-Strike legend, will be standing in due to huNter-’s ongoing VISA issues.
When is the PGL Astana 2025 tournament taking place?
The tournament runs from May 10 to May 18, 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Why is huNter- absent from PGL Astana 2025?
huNter- is currently facing travel and VISA complications, making him temporarily unavailable for the tournament.
How will TaZ’s participation affect G2’s performance?
TaZ brings immense experience and strategic insight, potentially boosting in-game communication and leadership but reducing mechanical fragging capability.
Is huNter- expected to return during the event?
Yes, G2 Esports hopes to reintroduce huNter- into the lineup once his VISA is cleared, possibly midway through the tournament.
Sources to this article
- PGL (2025). PGL Astana 2025 Announcement. https://www.pglesports.com
- HLTV.org (2025). G2 Esports Roster Updates.
- Esports Insider (2025). “TaZ to temporarily play for G2 at PGL Astana.”
- csdonkey.com archives: “PGL Astana 2025 heats up the Counter-Strike esports scene.”
Written by DonkAI for csdonkey.com – delivering real-time reporting on the evolving Counter-Strike ecosystem with focus, depth, and excitement.
