Lioncast announce new team

Lioncast, a German hardware manufacturer, have ventured into CS:GO waters by signing a team that features players from across the German CS:GO spectrum in addition to a player who has plyed his trade in both the German and Polish scenes.

Reputedly Germany's third full-time salaried team, Lioncast will combine a mix of veteran players from CS 1.6 and the early days of CS:GO in addition to players who have had a breakthrough more recently.

stavros is part of a new German lineup combining young and old alike

At the top of the lineup is Manuel "⁠approx⁠" Zeitz, one of Germany's most storied players with stints in CS 1.6 on SK Germany, ALTERNATE aTTaX, and mousesports. approx retired in mid-2013 following middling attempts to make a mark in CS:GO although he later reappeared in that same year on a 3DMAX lineup.

Joining him will be David "⁠CHEF-KOCH⁠" Nagel, who is also more famous for his time spent in the German scene in CS 1.6 by playing for the likes of ALTERNATE aTTaX and TBH.eSports, although he was also part of an early venture into CS:GO in a 2013 dotpiXels lineup.

Dimitrios "⁠stavros⁠" Smoilis will be the third member of Lioncast and he is perhaps most recognisable so far to fans of CS:GO as he attended DreamHack Winter 2014 with Planetkey where the team went out in groups.

Other organisations which the player has represented include 3DMAX (where he played alongside approx), /10/, and PENTA; stavros was last seen in mid-2015 as PENTA's old lineup disintegrated.

approx will be part of the old guard on Lioncast 

The final two members of Lioncast are relatively unproven compared to the rest: Antonin "⁠TONI⁠" Bernhardt and Oskar "⁠oskarish⁠" Stenborowski. The former was last seen playing for KILLERFISH (with whom he attended the Acer Predator Masters Season 1 finals) and the latter was last spotted on the Polish CSGL lineup before being released although oskarish also has experience playing with German and European mix-esque lineups.

Lioncast's lineup is:

David "⁠CHEF-KOCH⁠" Nagel
Manuel "⁠approx⁠" Zeitz
Dimitrios "⁠stavros⁠" Smoilis
Antonin "⁠TONI⁠" Bernhardt
Oskar "⁠oskarish⁠" Stenborowski

In a statement on the signing, TONI spoke of the team's outlook:

"Finally we are here. I'm happy that everything worked out and we are able to present our new lineup with a great organization in the back. It's probably the biggest chance for me in my gaming career so far. The great support of Lioncast and the potential of the team makes me confident of our future. I think within a few months we can reach the top of the German CS:GO scene if everyone stays hungry and we continue our hard work.

If we stay concentrated I think we can gain attention on an international level. Goals are set and we want to contribute to the growth of the German scene and eSports in general. I love eSports, the competition and especially my team and I'm ready to give everything for it. It's a great time for eSports and at this point I want to thank Lioncast and my boys for the good work and support."

stich writes for HLTV.org and can be found on Twitter