MAD Lions part ways with keen

The Spanish organization is now on the lookout for a player that can take over the team's in-game leadership.

MAD Lions have announced they will not be keeping Kristers "⁠keen⁠" Dārznieks on the roster, noting that he was on a trial period and that the organization will now scour the market in search of another in-game leader for the squad.

The move comes after the team's first two tournaments together, Nordic Masters Spring 2021 and Funspark ULTI 2021 Europe Regional Series, which they finished in 5-6th place and 9-12th place, respectively, with one victory and two losses in each event.

keen is no longer part of MAD Lions after a two-week trial

Following keen's departure MAD Lions are still on track to follow the plan that coach Jakub "⁠kuben⁠" Gurczyński shared on the HLTV Confirmed podcast, which is to bring a more experienced player to fill the role of in-game leader and help guide the young roster, which has an average age of 20 years.

"We knew that a leadership role would be challenging one to fill for such a young man/player. It was a great opportunity for him to tryout leading a squad against some of the top teams from the world and we are happy he took the chance and gave everything he had," MAD Lions' official statement reads. "Unfortunately, leadership skills at the level we need are difficult to develop in such a short time frame so we are looking for another IGL. We strongly believe that keen has a lot to offer, but we need a different profile for the time being.

"We are truly happy with his effort and work ethic during the time in MAD Lions. However, this is trial and error for both the coaches and the players. We believe we are onto something, and more roster moves are coming until we find the right person to lead the squad. Best of luck Kristers and thank you!"

Up next for MAD Lions is Spring Sweet Spring 1 Regionals, kicking off on April 12, where they have been placed in Group F with Case, eXploit and OFFSET.

MAD Lions is currently:

Denmark Thomas "⁠TMB⁠" Bundsbæk
Poland Filip "⁠tudsoN⁠" Tudev
Ukraine Volodymyr "⁠Woro2k⁠" Veletniuk
Lithuania Justinas "⁠jL⁠" Lekavicius
Spain Pere "⁠sausol⁠" Solsona Saumell

Poland Jakub "⁠kuben⁠" Gurczyński (coach)
Spain Jonathan "⁠MusambaN1⁠" Torrent (assistant coach)

Ukraine Volodymyr 'Woro2k' Veletniuk
Volodymyr 'Woro2k' Veletniuk
Age:
19
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.15
Maps played:
62
KPR:
0.79
DPR:
0.66
Lithuania Justinas 'jL' Lekavicius
Justinas 'jL' Lekavicius
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.05
Maps played:
64
KPR:
0.72
DPR:
0.69
Poland Filip 'tudsoN' Tudev
Filip 'tudsoN' Tudev
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.95
Maps played:
167
KPR:
0.65
DPR:
0.68
Spain Jonathan 'MusambaN1' Torrent
Jonathan 'MusambaN1' Torrent
Age:
34
Team:
No team
Rating 1.0:
0.91
Maps played:
300
KPR:
0.64
DPR:
0.70
Denmark Thomas 'TMB' Bundsbæk
Thomas 'TMB' Bundsbæk
Age:
19
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.99
Maps played:
428
KPR:
0.68
DPR:
0.68
Spain Pere 'sausol' Solsona Saumell
Pere 'sausol' Solsona Saumell
Age:
20
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.08
Maps played:
69
KPR:
0.73
DPR:
0.67
Latvia Kristers 'keen' Dārznieks
Kristers 'keen' Dārznieks
Age:
20
Team:
No team
Rating 1.0:
1.00
Maps played:
61
KPR:
0.69
DPR:
0.70
#1
 | 
India OOFmiester
Not very POG
2021-04-06 20:01
0
10 replies
Sad for keen :/
2021-04-06 20:01
0
7 replies
but why?
2021-04-06 20:02
0
5 replies
idk
2021-04-06 20:07
0
4 replies
I bet he wasn't very keen to hear that news
2021-04-06 20:53
0
3 replies
Good pun
2021-04-06 21:37
0
2 replies
Damn! The Lions gotta be MAD to remove such a keen player. How's this one?
2021-04-07 13:28
0
1 reply
Good
2021-04-07 14:05
0
agreed, i liked the look of him at lower levels and was hoping he could make it
2021-04-06 20:52
0
#121
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Europe chespiZ
Woro2k & s1mple need play together + 3 bots
2021-04-07 02:56
0
1 reply
Woro looks like a dlkhead, so he might be one
2021-04-07 12:13
0
F
2021-04-06 20:01
0
#3
 | 
Poland Totali_
kek
2021-04-06 20:01
0
#4
 | 
Finland Jambi_
unfortunate
2021-04-06 20:01
0
Expected
2021-04-06 20:01
0
Team needs more awpers
2021-04-06 20:01
0
4 replies
Keen was an awper(( They should get blastinho to replace him!
2021-04-06 20:03
0
2 replies
and torpe too
2021-04-06 20:11
0
1 reply
jajaajjaja v1nchenso7 too
2021-04-07 10:13
0
musamban1 should play
2021-04-06 23:58
0
#7
 | 
Estonia whosmans
nooooooooooooooo
2021-04-06 20:01
0
#9
 | 
Jordan Zereeni
wtf
2021-04-06 20:01
0
Expected
2021-04-06 20:01
0
SAD
2021-04-06 20:01
0
#13
 | 
North America drac0z
WHAT
2021-04-06 20:01
0
Ahahahaahahha
2021-04-06 20:01
0
#15
 | 
India Ez4ez
F
2021-04-06 20:01
0
two week trial lmao
2021-04-06 20:01
0
Expected
2021-04-06 20:02
0
F to last Austrian pride
2021-04-06 20:02
0
#19
 | 
Hungary szia
"13 Days in teams" brutal
2021-04-06 20:02
0
1 reply
#25
hades | 
Netherlands SYDK
we have FNS as a count now a keen count?
2021-04-06 20:03
0
#20
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Ukraine nowaynoway
musamban1 ex6tence ?
2021-04-06 20:02
0
1 reply
yes
2021-04-06 20:13
0
Lmao already
2021-04-06 20:02
0
they gave him too much time, whole 2 weeks
2021-04-06 20:02
0
Wtf whyyyy
2021-04-06 20:03
0
1 reply
cause he's bad
2021-04-06 22:07
0
WTffff
2021-04-06 20:04
0
Should’ve given him a month at least
2021-04-06 20:06
0
Kick igl after 2 weeks
2021-04-06 20:07
0
3 replies
woro2k is the igl
2021-04-06 20:10
0
#40
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Spain Dicraftio
They basically kicked him because Woro was igling in some maps even if it wasn't his main role
2021-04-06 20:13
0
1 reply
and because he was trash
2021-04-07 00:36
0
expected
2021-04-06 20:07
0
#31
 | 
Europe PotatoBoy
WTF
2021-04-06 20:08
0
+Emi easy top 30.
2021-04-06 20:08
0
2 replies
Actually would be perfect for ml but emi deserves much more better
2021-04-06 20:36
0
1 reply
I mean, Mad Lions has shown potential. An IGL like Emi could make them a serious T2 team with hopes to be pretty regular on T1 events.
2021-04-06 20:47
0
7 maps, unlucko
2021-04-06 20:09
0
nice
2021-04-06 20:11
0
#37
nexa | 
Serbia XD___
Sad. well not really.
2021-04-06 20:12
0
#38
 | 
Poland xMBTx
Poor keev Go back to BiG
2021-04-06 20:13
0
3 replies
+1
2021-04-06 20:38
0
+1
2021-04-06 21:46
0
#97
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
EmiliaQAQ | 
Ireland pj4
keev with the massive weight loss i mean look at him in this photo . respect
2021-04-06 22:02
0
#39
 | 
Poland Hanse
speedrun
2021-04-06 20:13
0
#42
 | 
Germany F0kussi3rt
lmao didnt he just joined 2 weeks ago
2021-04-06 20:14
0
1 reply
#130
Faceit level 9  | 
 | 
Latvia latvianguy
That's what the thread said
2021-04-07 05:02
0
i liked this guy :( gl to him
2021-04-06 20:14
0
I guess they weren't too *keen* on having him as a player hehehehe
2021-04-06 20:14
0
1 reply
#74
Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
huNter- | 
Denmark Product_Manager
hehehehe
2021-04-06 20:59
0
#45
 | 
Poland vexxy77
Maybe he wasn't KEEN on staying? get it? keen on?
2021-04-06 20:15
0
2 replies
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
2021-04-06 20:46
0
1 reply
#83
 | 
Poland vexxy77
I know, comedy genius innit?
2021-04-06 21:24
0
#46
 | 
Romania Andreyl33t
good move, noname noob
2021-04-06 20:16
0
Good
2021-04-06 20:17
0
not even 2 weeks tuff and a half
2021-04-06 20:17
0
Good move for the team I think, keen is good player though, hopefully he gets another opportunity to shine.
2021-04-06 20:22
0
wtf this isnt mad lions wasnt madlions hudsen and the other skilled kids? astralis ruined that? oh well
2021-04-06 20:22
0
netflix trial - next
2021-04-06 20:23
0
1 reply
LOL
2021-04-06 21:14
0
#53
 | 
Russia Raum0
WTF not even 2 weeks?
2021-04-06 20:25
0
Is this because we are from Latvia?
2021-04-06 20:26
0
Well if they just had an IGL under contract... (hint: Hooxi) it would be great lol
2021-04-06 20:28
0
1 reply
True it's a good option imo
2021-04-06 20:30
0
WELCOME ALEX
2021-04-06 20:28
0
shouldve been jl
2021-04-06 20:29
0
1 reply
#98
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
EmiliaQAQ | 
Ireland pj4
jL best rifler easily on that team he was just put to play as a support stupidly, once coach gave him some freedom he popped off
2021-04-06 22:06
0
Fired after playing just 7 maps I hope this trash org dies
2021-04-06 20:31
0
1 reply
They will don’t worry
2021-04-07 03:12
0
That was fast tho
2021-04-06 20:32
0
F, he follows me on twitter
2021-04-06 20:34
0
good move i rather mumbai and kuben helping out woro then having problem within the rotation of the squad majority problems come from it. People do not understand 6th man roster is short term solution rather than long one.
2021-04-06 20:39
0
3 replies
2 fucking weeks that is pretty short. now keen needs to find another team just after 2 weeks. garbage
2021-04-06 21:18
0
2 replies
People join and go its not first time it happened after all Cs is business. Business is known to be ruthless
2021-04-06 21:53
0
lil bro was an IGL at 20 this shit never works
2021-04-06 23:58
0
Gl m8
2021-04-06 20:39
0
#67
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Poland Zgrzyt
they should pick that guy from Montenegro, who was playing shortly in FPX before ChrisJ joined.
2021-04-06 20:39
0
FASTEST BENCH IN HISTORY???
2021-04-06 20:40
0
#69
 | 
Korea jin67300
kuben coach??
2021-04-06 20:43
0
1 reply
yes Kuben destroying teams and making them shit since 2015 never won anything roflcopter paycheck lover
2021-04-07 03:47
0
wtf
2021-04-06 21:04
0
#76
 | 
Israel Xpicyy
wait what
2021-04-06 21:10
0
jL is very bad
2021-04-06 21:15
0
"We believe we are onto something, and more roster moves are coming until we find the right person to lead the squad. What you onto exactly? I'm not understanding. Next subscription service? Pay monthly to play on Mad Lions KEKW
2021-04-06 21:17
0
That was a quick visit
2021-04-06 21:21
0
#85
jL | 
Lithuania Ovis17
they can now buy alex for 10$
2021-04-06 21:39
0
#86
 | 
Sweden bag0fdicks
Welcome MSL
2021-04-06 21:42
0
#87
 | 
Finland Hei456
That's keen for keen
2021-04-06 21:43
0
THey said they wanted to buy an IGL when Kuben was talking on Confirmed, but I had no idea Keen was meant to be a stop gap filler for that role - oh well, there's IGL's like ALEX out there on the market right now who they can probably pick up for the price of a packet of crisps, so shouldn't be too bad going in terms of finding a new one
2021-04-06 21:43
0
since they are signing randoms, sing me too! -faceit lvl 4 -i know smokes on mirage -dmg -15 avg -team player
2021-04-06 21:50
0
2 replies
Sing me too!
2021-04-06 21:55
0
wtf don't sign him, get me instead - i have faceit - i know inferno smokes - inferno - 28 avg kills - inferno - toxic like s1mple, s1mple is top 1 = i'm top 2 at minimum - i play good on inferno (really) - pls sign me for inferno
2021-04-06 23:56
0
#92
NEO | 
Poland pinky02
Sad for him, but it was expected. I hope they will find a good IGL soon and win something
2021-04-06 21:54
0
how
2021-04-06 21:56
0
Wow. That was fast.
2021-04-06 21:57
0
Killer keenstar rip
2021-04-06 21:57
0
good call
2021-04-06 22:08
0
Rough start to the new roster
2021-04-06 22:11
0
#102
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Europe PipyLonTeZ
im more surprised jL is still on the roster +emi would be a sick move
2021-04-06 22:45
0
1 reply
they wont change jL or sausol
2021-04-06 22:51
0
#103
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
karrigan | 
Hungary hardrise
Who can be the new IGL? I would be happy to see Acilion there, if they can buy him out from Cph Flames. Alex can be a reasonable choice too, his contract likely gonna be terminated and his salary won't be that high after the C9 blow. ChrisJ is going to FPX it looks like, but would be fun to see him with this young squad too.
2021-04-06 22:51
0
4 replies
mad lions wont touch Acilion again after what happened with -hunden +acilion
2021-04-06 22:54
0
1 reply
what happened? the players were already in talks with other orgs when aciilion joined so there was little to no motivation so it's understandable why they underperformed
2021-04-06 23:55
0
#113
 | 
United Arab Emirates Vince_
I've read on team-aaa (so it's still a rumor), ChrisJ will replace keen. Source: team-aaa.com/fr/breve/mad-lions-remplace.. (in french sorry xD )
2021-04-07 00:17
0
1 reply
ChrisJ in fpx at its best
2021-04-07 07:26
0
Decent jawline
2021-04-06 23:43
0
what the fuckk? 2 weeks in team
2021-04-07 00:02
0
1 reply
It was a trial.
2021-04-07 02:01
0
Mad Lions appear to be committed on developing a winning team. Better to build twice then to build once perfectly.
2021-04-07 00:10
0
#114
 | 
Brazil NegoNey
keen was actually the one that impressed me more consistent despite being IGL jL deserved to leave actually good luck in future keen
2021-04-07 00:33
0
Msl incoming ?
2021-04-07 00:54
0
#118
 | 
Chile cristiaan
LUL
2021-04-07 02:09
0
sunny maybe?
2021-04-07 02:10
0
1 reply
#128
 | 
Germany Nachofish
emi more likely sunny might want to play in flushas project apperantly
2021-04-07 04:25
0
ez for Emi
2021-04-07 02:33
0
what a mess of an org
2021-04-07 04:04
0
1 reply
#127
 | 
Germany Nachofish
+1 but its just the csgo team rn
2021-04-07 04:24
0
#126
 | 
Germany Nachofish
he should reunite with kyuubii one day
2021-04-07 04:23
0
Wow changes already?
2021-04-07 04:55
0
He isn't mad lion's kin anymore
2021-04-07 05:40
0
#132
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Europe SQNNY
woro2k will suck!! idiota kusok
2021-04-07 05:44
0
1 reply
woro>tudson dolboeb
2021-04-07 08:36
0
Just drop all of them and dont play.
2021-04-07 06:58
0
Hooxi or emi would be good fits
2021-04-07 07:43
0
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA nice one
2021-04-07 08:36
0
That’s fuckeen sad
2021-04-07 10:15
0
lmao already?
2021-04-07 10:17
0
#141
 | 
Denmark zeekz1337
literally never heard of this guy
2021-04-07 10:20
0
#142
 | 
Portugal Digassmen
Are we supposed to know this guy? I dont have a clue who he is...
2021-04-07 10:39
0
@MadLions -rep, come for a quick buck, got a brutal fuck I really hope keen makes a steep rise to the top and the Baltic region can truly shine for once, not in the shadow of CIS.
2021-04-07 11:21
0
Let's go Latvian team: Yekindar Keen Broky R0b3n krii
2021-04-07 11:33
0
#147
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Europe kamlot955
Welcome Michu
2021-04-07 12:21
0
probably means they have a good experienced player coming in very soon, cant wait
2021-04-07 13:21
0
1 reply
Woro is IGL mate. He provide much experience to the team
2021-04-07 15:27
0
#152
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Ukraine rexyyCSGO
expected from team Snake with toxic Woro2k xD
2021-04-08 09:54
0
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