niko to continue to stand in for OG in ESL Pro League

OG's campaign in the league is set to kick off later on Monday with a match against BIG.

OG will continue to field Nikolaj "⁠niko⁠" Kristensen as a stand-in in ESL Pro League Season 13, the organization announced ahead of their team's first match in the prestigious league against BIG, which is set to kick off at approximately 19:00 .

The Dane played for OG in the DreamHack Masters Spring Europe closed qualifier, in which they were one of the teams to fall victim to VOYVODA in the Bulgarian side's surprising lower-bracket run to third place.

OG will continue to field niko

niko has been linked with a permanent switch to OG ever since the Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen-led side made the first change in the history of the roster, benching Nathan "⁠NBK-⁠" Schmitt following a series of underwhelming results at the beginning of 2021.

The 22-year-old himself has been sitting on HEROIC's bench for the past two weeks, after he and Johannes "⁠b0RUP⁠" Borup were replaced on the Danish roster by MAD Lions duo Rasmus "⁠sjuush⁠" Beck and Ismail "⁠refrezh⁠" Ali.

Casper "⁠cadiaN⁠" Møller & co. and OG are both part of Group A in ESL Pro League and are set to clash on Thursday at 12:00 . It's unclear whether niko will be allowed to play against the organization he is currently contracted to. If not, the team will have the option to use NBK-, as he is listed as a substitute in the official lineup for the competition.

OG have submitted the following lineup for the event:

Finland Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen
Denmark Valdemar "⁠valde⁠" Bjørn Vangså
Jordan Issa "⁠ISSAA⁠" Murad
United Kingdom Mateusz "⁠mantuu⁠" Wilczewski
Denmark Nikolaj "⁠niko⁠" Kristensen

France Nathan "⁠NBK-⁠" Schmitt (substitute)

Denmark Casper "⁠ruggah⁠" Due (coach)

France Nathan 'NBK-' Schmitt
Nathan 'NBK-' Schmitt
Age:
26
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.03
Maps played:
1914
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.67
Denmark Rasmus 'sjuush' Beck
Rasmus 'sjuush' Beck
Age:
22
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.04
Maps played:
613
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.64
Poland Mateusz 'mantuu' Wilczewski
Mateusz 'mantuu' Wilczewski
Age:
23
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.12
Maps played:
556
KPR:
0.75
DPR:
0.63
Denmark Valdemar 'valde' Bjørn Vangså
Valdemar 'valde' Bjørn Vangså
Age:
25
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.09
Maps played:
1104
KPR:
0.74
DPR:
0.65
Denmark Johannes 'b0RUP' Borup
Johannes 'b0RUP' Borup
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.02
Maps played:
1177
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.68
Denmark Casper 'ruggah' Due
Casper 'ruggah' Due
Age:
32
Team:
Jordan Issa 'ISSAA' Murad
Issa 'ISSAA' Murad
Age:
24
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.05
Maps played:
796
KPR:
0.71
DPR:
0.65
Denmark Ismail 'refrezh' Ali
Ismail 'refrezh' Ali
Age:
23
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.06
Maps played:
773
KPR:
0.72
DPR:
0.65
Finland Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Age:
23
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.97
Maps played:
860
KPR:
0.65
DPR:
0.66
Denmark Nikolaj 'niko' Kristensen
Nikolaj 'niko' Kristensen
Age:
22
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.03
Maps played:
1090
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.66
Time is adjusted to your selected timezone
Denmark Casper 'cadiaN' Møller
Casper 'cadiaN' Møller
Age:
25
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.05
Maps played:
1263
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.63
"stand-in"
2021-03-08 16:29
0
16 replies
#9
RUSH | 
United States ShawnM
just sign him already ffs
2021-03-08 16:31
0
15 replies
#25
 | 
Latvia YungPan666
2021-03-08 16:42
0
14 replies
#26
RUSH | 
United States ShawnM
issaa is the problem, u cant justify bad ping for shitty performance for months, especially since we dont know how close LANs are
2021-03-08 16:43
0
3 replies
+1
2021-03-08 17:20
0
#69
 | 
Chad Journalism
You can justify shitty performances with bad ping tho Either way, my problem is that if ISSAA has high ping he should've been benched until LANs comeback. I think it's stupid to keep him playing with high ping... I'm also pretty sure that Aleksib said that ISSAA is a very important member of the team. We can't really argue with that.
2021-03-08 18:15
0
1 reply
+1
2021-03-09 00:22
0
wdym, he takes 1st contact and scores 1.10 rating
2021-03-08 17:00
0
9 replies
1.02*
2021-03-08 17:08
0
8 replies
still good enough. he's not the problem, neither was nbk
2021-03-08 17:11
0
7 replies
so there was no problem but they kept on losing
2021-03-08 17:55
0
6 replies
#63
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
There's a problem but lots of people deny it. The problem is Aleksib.
2021-03-08 17:59
0
3 replies
what happened to ence after kick?
2021-03-08 18:13
0
2 replies
#78
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
And what happened before? A lucky shot during a major but withdraw from MDL and were lucky enough to buy their slot in the EPL? ^^ Before the kick ENCE was already meh...
2021-03-08 19:45
0
1 reply
? lmao ez blast and wins against astralis and the best teams
2021-03-09 17:21
0
the problem was that nbk and the rest of the team had drastically different views on the team's future direction. i bet if there werent that big differences, then issa would be benched and replaced with another good fragger until LAN is back
2021-03-08 18:19
0
their problem is not any of the players
2021-03-08 18:49
0
#2
 | 
Canada SparklMastr
LOL.
2021-03-08 16:30
0
FAKE NIKO
2021-03-08 16:30
0
3 replies
#88
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
MrFuckYou | 
United States lybrel
better than team destroyer NiKo and team destroyer Never Been Kissed So happy to see grandpa get benched. And yes, he has been kissed by his Twitch GF Ms. Rage but that's worse than saying you've... Never Been Kissed.
2021-03-08 23:52
0
2 replies
wtf i am just read
2021-03-09 01:32
0
1 reply
#100
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
MrFuckYou | 
United States lybrel
My hatred of old people ruining teams. The only person in the grandpa age range respectable is f0rest. Never Been Kissed has Never Been Klose to, well, really anyone on 87-0 NiP
2021-03-14 19:10
0
ok
2021-03-08 16:30
0
Expected, don’t think he will significantly improve the team in any way tho
2021-03-08 16:31
0
+olofmeister AND MAKE HIM PLAY STAR ROLE
2021-03-08 16:31
0
2 replies
Yes! Exactly!
2021-03-08 16:33
0
i think olofmeister could succesfully replace nbk's role instead of star role because both are veteran players and can take any hard role and adapt for the team's benefit
2021-03-08 18:22
0
#7
 | 
Hungary Pitsa31
Just call it try out
2021-03-08 16:31
0
#8
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Greece m3s0v
He will join permanently, otherwise they would've already sign someone else with all these free agents atm. Should be Bubszjki btw.
2021-03-08 16:31
0
12 replies
#12
 | 
Jordan Zereeni
bubz isn't a free agent lol
2021-03-08 16:32
0
8 replies
#13
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Greece m3s0v
OG could easily buy him. 2 times TI winner and Redbull as a sponsor. Also, even if Bubzjki isnt free there are other players better than niko without a team.
2021-03-08 16:33
0
7 replies
#16
 | 
Jordan Zereeni
his buyout would be massive (because of astralis being a snake) they could definitely buy someone better like frozen for example
2021-03-08 16:34
0
1 reply
good idea if mouz decides to break it up
2021-03-08 16:42
0
Let me tell you, og doesnt have as much money as other big orgs. They got relevant just because of TI wins. On top of that they don't wanna invest much money in csgo either. Remember all of OG players were bought cheap except probably valde. But I think bubzkji is possible move because imo he doesn't have that huge of a release clause.
2021-03-08 17:06
0
4 replies
#48
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
NertZ | 
Denmark popper1920
AleksiB had a huge buyout aswell. Remember coL signed blameF for the largest buyout at that time, but he was only their 2nd option as AleksiB had already committed to the OG project.
2021-03-08 17:08
0
2 replies
Let me tell you, there hasn't been a single big transfer in csgo scene for long time except Niko and coldzera. And we all know how important IGLs are. The prices look inflated but they're not.
2021-03-08 17:21
0
1 reply
#67
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
NertZ | 
Denmark popper1920
AleksiB turned down 1Millon $$$$$$$ from coL. Do you think he's worth that kind of money because of him being an "important igl"? - ofc they look inflated because they are. A lack of succesful igls will eventually cause big organizations to pay big bucks for rather mediocre igls as we saw happen with AleksiB to OG, Alex to cloud9 and Lekro to North. Not a single one of these highly regarded igls turned out to be a worthwhile investment even though everyone was calling for them to be bought by the likes of faze, mouz etc. You still dont think that the prices for these mediocre igls are inflated i suppose
2021-03-08 18:10
0
You forgot the part where they won 4 majors before the TIs as well
2021-03-08 19:42
0
#28
 | 
Russia iiinej
I broke my tongue trying to pronounce Bubszjki.
2021-03-08 16:46
0
2 replies
Same here It's bubzkji motherfuckers
2021-03-08 17:07
0
Just say "boobs-ski"
2021-03-08 17:33
0
#10
 | 
Jordan Zereeni
"NBK" substitute. hmmmm
2021-03-08 16:31
0
1 reply
#19
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
The time is running Aleksib.
2021-03-08 16:35
0
gg og coming last place
2021-03-08 16:31
0
#15
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Europe HLTVs Hero
That's an L
2021-03-08 16:33
0
#17
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
Throw all the money you have and get Ropz.
2021-03-08 16:34
0
1 reply
+1
2021-03-09 13:01
0
#18
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
Funny, NBK change from bench to substitute =D -Aleksib soon (he has only 1 week left to prove his in game leading is good)
2021-03-08 16:35
0
e
2021-03-08 16:38
0
#21
 | 
Israel Xpicyy
they should use NBK as standin tbh
2021-03-08 16:39
0
ok
2021-03-08 16:42
0
niko budget NBK
2021-03-08 16:42
0
+NBK -Aleksib next week
2021-03-08 16:43
0
5 replies
OG will lose half of their fanbase but damn this move will make them actual t1
2021-03-08 16:47
0
4 replies
Imagine this move thinking it cant get any worse. It absolutely can. I would like this move also that it would allow a very good IGL to explore better options and not have his talent wasted. Maybe also valde would consider moving on after that.
2021-03-08 16:52
0
3 replies
valde will be the new igl
2021-03-08 16:55
0
2 replies
Haha, even better. Then he can be IGL, frag out like crazy while also covering for issaa and mantuu and micromanaging them when needed which is often. And don't forget about doing support since issaa is the "star player". Can't wait for this sick move!
2021-03-08 16:56
0
1 reply
damn right just like what he did with North
2021-03-08 16:58
0
but isnt he playing for g2, how is he gonna play for og?
2021-03-08 16:48
0
4 replies
+1
2021-03-08 17:04
0
8/8
2021-03-08 19:49
0
g2 is in another group, shouldn't be a problem I suppose
2021-03-08 19:59
0
he is 2 timing or wat D:
2021-03-09 13:02
0
#31
 | 
Finland dolbaeb!
just sign already
2021-03-08 16:51
0
#33
 | 
Israel liav_h
event link on top is epl asia
2021-03-08 16:53
0
Wtf niko just gonna abandon G2 after he just joined
2021-03-08 16:54
0
3 replies
#65
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
The joke is not even funny...
2021-03-08 18:00
0
2 replies
Bro it's not even a joke. It's just plain stupid
2021-03-08 19:57
0
1 reply
#82
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
The first time he could be funny, not the thousandth time...
2021-03-08 20:12
0
issaa needs to go... now that nbk is not watching over him there is no reason for OG to keep him
2021-03-08 16:58
0
#38
Faceit level 7  | 
device | 
Spain mavericko19
in the header the pro league title is wrong, says pro league S12 in Asia
2021-03-08 16:58
0
#40
Faceit plus user Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Romania RZBD
"ESL Pro League Season 12 Asia"
2021-03-08 16:58
0
Maybe try Me who?
2021-03-08 17:02
0
FREE VALDE
2021-03-08 17:02
0
-niko -issaa +Ropz +bubzkji Thank me later og
2021-03-08 17:08
0
2021-03-08 17:14
0
2 replies
#52
 | 
Turkey 69kagan
can I still have your ass?
2021-03-08 17:16
0
1 reply
sorry my ass is private
2021-03-09 14:27
0
Unbench NBK -ISSAA + FlameZ or MICHU This is the best possible budget improvement for the team. Other than that, any changes will cost hot money.
2021-03-08 17:21
0
3 replies
#56
 | 
Estonia Sn4pzhat
it isnt, they both are playing with teams out of top 30,(t2-t4). ISSAA is better than both of those. If they want to get rid of issaa they have to spend a lot of money and get ropz
2021-03-08 17:32
0
2 replies
ISSAA is better than FlameZ or MICHU based on what exactly? Other than his very bad time on OG he played on HR, which after woxic left he was just as bad as he is now. And HR was tier2/3. MICHU and FlameZ both perfom better than ISSAA did at t3. I very much Doubt ISSAA is the best option outside of top 15 players. He is by far the worst passive rifler on the t1 scene (something OG isn't anymore) Ropz is very unrealistic at least, and it will require an overhaul of the team's roles. Valde and Ropz would be passive and they'll need an agressive rifler to compensate that.
2021-03-08 17:38
0
1 reply
#71
 | 
Estonia Sn4pzhat
ISSAA is as passive as ropz is. And why imo issaa is better than michu and FlameZ ISSAA last 12 months(mainly playing t1 cs): hltv.org/stats/players/10449/issaa?start.. FlameZ last 12 months (mainly playing t2 or t3 etc cs): hltv.org/stats/players/16693/flamez?star.. ( Yes i know his stats are better but he is playing lower level) Michu last 12 months ( while only playing t2 etc cs) hltv.org/stats/players/7356/michu?startD.. (The differnece isnt that big)
2021-03-08 18:19
0
#58
s1n | 
Finland Khroni
Pretty predictable and it looks like they are seriously wanting to sign him Still don't think it's the right move but they need a permanent 5th and not end up like fpx
2021-03-08 17:35
0
1 reply
CPX*
2021-03-08 17:50
0
Esl pro league season 12 Asia hah
2021-03-08 18:00
0
ok
2021-03-08 18:03
0
expected
2021-03-08 18:19
0
#75
 | 
Finland Fraereator
just sign him already wtf
2021-03-08 19:10
0
unpopular opinion but I don't think they should jump the gun and sign him immediately.
2021-03-08 19:21
0
1 reply
#84
 | 
Denmark zeekz1337
agree
2021-03-08 20:38
0
#83
 | 
Denmark zeekz1337
POG
2021-03-08 20:38
0
niko.... HAHAHAhhAAHAHAhhaAH
2021-03-08 22:12
0
#86
 | 
France Haibara
Please do not sign him please...he is not the future
2021-03-08 22:34
0
1 reply
well he's certainly the present
2021-03-09 14:47
0
#87
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Poland SebL
Let's be honest the thing that OG needs to look for is firepower, and it's pretty much their only problem, niko won't fix that, I don't think he is the right player here.
2021-03-08 23:43
0
#90
 | 
Finland sway777
SIGN HIM
2021-03-09 01:21
0
#99
 | 
Norway Laksen123
ok
2021-03-10 18:16
0
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