xseveN retires from competition

The Finnish rifler will not transition his career into Counter-Strike 2.

xseveN will step down from HAVU after Elisa Esports eSM 2023

HAVU have announced Sami "⁠xseveN⁠" Laasanen's decision to retire from competitive Counter-Strike. The Finn cited a lack of motivation to play professionally after an 11-year-long career, which spanned both CS:S and CS:GO.

The 28-year-old will continue to play for HAVU for the upcoming two tournaments, and will officially hang up his mouse after Elisa Esports eSM 2023. His departure will leave HAVU without their longest-standing player, and the focus of their 2022 rebuild.

Read more
HAVU sign sLowi on a permanent basis

xseveN was a constant presence in the Finnish scene, competing for the likes of iGame.com and Epiphany Bolt until 2018, when he made the move to ENCE. It was alongside Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen and Aleksi "⁠allu⁠" Jalli that xseveN reached the peak of his professional career, bursting into the scene in 2018 to claim trophies at StarSeries i-League Season 6 and DreamHack Open Winter 2018.

The 28-year-old was also an important piece in ENCE's miracle run at IEM Katowice 2019, in which the Finnish quintet defeated Liquid and Natus Vincere on the way to the final. ENCE eventually lost to Astralis in the last match, but their run remains as one of the most iconic Major performances to this day.

BLAST Pro Series Madrid 2019 was the last trophy claimed by xseveN alongside the Finns from ENCE as the roster began to drift apart shortly after, during the Starladder Berlin Major. He departed the squad in August 2020, when the 28-year-old was acquired by HAVU.

"xseveN had an important role in HAVU by having a lot of experience and knowledge in CS. We want to wish him luck for the future and thank him for the three years. I'll be missing him but the friendship stays, thank you Sami," said HAVU CEO Lasse Salminen.

Notable events won by xseveN:

Ukraine StarSeries i-League Season 6
Sweden DreamHack Open Winter 2018
Spain BLAST Pro Series Madrid 2019

Finland Sami 'xseveN' Laasanen
Sami 'xseveN' Laasanen
Age:
28
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.00
Maps played:
1512
KPR:
0.68
DPR:
0.66
Finland Aleksi 'allu' Jalli
Aleksi 'allu' Jalli
Age:
31
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.10
Maps played:
1821
KPR:
0.74
DPR:
0.64
Finland Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Age:
26
Rating 1.0:
0.95
Maps played:
1165
KPR:
0.63
DPR:
0.65
#2
Faceit premium user Faceit level 9  | 
Kenya SkibidiHussein
sadge
2023-07-28 14:05
0
Thank you xseveN!
2023-07-28 14:05
0
#4
 | 
Brazil ZerongBr
sad
2023-07-28 14:05
0
#5
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Bosnia and Herzegovina Biske
lol sad anyways he was a finish prospect
2023-07-28 14:06
0
5 replies
prospect? He's 28
2023-07-28 14:40
0
4 replies
dunno about a prospect but he was quite good I'd say, definitely one of the best from Finland
2023-07-28 15:31
0
1 reply
Just checking again from hltv but he had a good 2021 in havu and a few good periods in 2022 but it's understandable to not have motivation to play shitcups after a 11 year old career
2023-07-28 18:08
0
#216
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Bosnia and Herzegovina Biske
I meant back in the day
2023-07-28 22:02
0
1 reply
+1 finnish scene thought he would be the next allu back in the day
2023-07-29 09:54
0
Friendly reminder that he beat coldzera in a 1v1. 7-2.
2023-07-28 14:05
0
13 replies
and s1mple in major semi clutch
2023-07-28 14:30
0
11 replies
while calmly chewing gum
2023-07-28 14:32
1
3 replies
#179
Faceit level 10  | 
Denmark d0udy3160
+1
2023-07-28 17:32
0
#218
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
That ice cold no reaction is one of my favourite ever !
2023-07-28 22:27
0
1 reply
+1
2023-07-30 21:31
0
#83
 | 
Romania garcea89
That was the big one Im pretty sure s1mple would have won that clutch vs most players but this guy was smoth and calm
2023-07-28 14:34
0
4 replies
I'd go as far as to say it was the moment that forced s1mple to grow up as a player. Which he did, resulting in a major title 2.5 years later
2023-07-28 16:49
0
3 replies
I'd go as far as to say that xseven is so deeply entrenched, living rent free in s1mple's head, that navi going international and bringing AleksiB is because of that clutch. Actually, I did hear from my contacts in the grapevine that xseven was the favourite to join navi before IM's major performance.
2023-07-28 17:46
0
2 replies
#202
 | 
Romania garcea89
i'd go as far as to say that when aliens visit us and they will rewatch this clutch they will spare us from eternal pain, suffering and extinction
2023-07-28 18:53
0
1 reply
+11111
2023-07-28 21:04
0
2023-07-28 14:35
0
1 reply
Icecold
2023-07-28 14:38
0
Pretty sure just about anyone could do that
2023-07-28 15:56
0
Noo
2023-07-28 14:05
0
Thanks for the games Testo! GL in future
2023-07-28 14:06
0
considering the problems the old ENCE roster had with each other, its impressive they even lasted long enough until they moronically kicked Aleksib for fucking suNny LULZ
2023-07-28 14:06
0
Testo <3
2023-07-28 14:06
0
F
2023-07-28 14:06
0
#15
Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Finland M0nzaa
about time :()
2023-07-28 14:06
0
#17
 | 
Finland Vaittify
Thanks for the memories. The major run in IEM Katowice will always be remembered in Finnish cs
2023-07-28 14:07
0
#18
 | 
Spain batxe
gl man, he was a very good soldier and helped to put Finland CS in the map
2023-07-28 14:08
0
#19
Faceit level 10  | 
Pelle | 
Finland Mallu345
testosami ei mul muuta
2023-07-28 14:08
0
3 replies
+1
2023-07-28 14:51
0
+1
2023-07-28 19:51
0
#223
 | 
Finland sway777
+1
2023-07-29 07:52
0
You will always remain as a legend of finnish cs <3
2023-07-28 14:08
0
#21
 | 
Finland Testo$ami
GOAT!
2023-07-28 14:08
0
Support GOAT
2023-07-28 14:09
0
he gonna be driving trucks with sergej?
2023-07-28 14:09
0
Will forever remember you rekting s0mple on Mirage A site <3
2023-07-28 14:10
0
Better than simple
2023-07-28 14:10
0
respect!
2023-07-28 14:10
0
Thank Mr. Testo
2023-07-28 14:10
0
Better than simple
2023-07-28 14:11
0
Farewell
2023-07-28 14:11
0
Goat support
2023-07-28 14:12
0
#31
Faceit level 9  | 
allu | 
Finland Varavaanari
Won 1v1 vs s1mple I know my GOAT
2023-07-28 14:12
0
that 2019 Ence was nice
2023-07-28 14:12
0
#35
tarik | 
India Nujen
Alvida x7
2023-07-28 14:14
0
#36
 | 
Brazil kurtsouza
xwho ?
2023-07-28 14:14
0
#37
 | 
Finland KOVAJANO
RIP AND GL I NTHE FUTURE SEXSEVEN
2023-07-28 14:14
0
#38
 | 
Finland teukkjs
GOAT
2023-07-28 14:14
0
Bye bye another legend
2023-07-28 14:14
0
#40
 | 
Finland Spedence
Sadge:(
2023-07-28 14:16
0
Legend
2023-07-28 14:16
0
gladge
2023-07-28 14:16
0
Thank you XseveN
2023-07-28 14:17
0
#44
 | 
Sweden rawrxddd
who
2023-07-28 14:17
0
#46
Faceit premium user Faceit level 10  | 
Jimpphat | 
Finland Epppz
Kiitos Sami!
2023-07-28 14:18
0
#47
 | 
Albania mensik
thank for denied cluth on mirage vs s0mple I guess it worth career
2023-07-28 14:19
0
2 replies
If only one moment is worth whole career then how miserable his career is?
2023-07-28 15:25
0
1 reply
dont tell him :D
2023-07-28 15:42
0
#48
 | 
Brazil boobee
Farewell 👋
2023-07-28 14:19
0
Ez 4 ence
2023-07-28 14:20
0
F
2023-07-28 14:20
0
was never good long overdue
2023-07-28 14:20
0
#52
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Finland Hekee
Testo <3
2023-07-28 14:20
0
Legend
2023-07-28 14:20
0
i remember an xseven clutch on mirage A
2023-07-28 14:20
0
Thank you xseveN and good luck in the future. I hope you will stay in the scene some way or another!
2023-07-28 14:20
0
1 reply
+1, would feel even worse if the scene lost him for good
2023-07-28 15:08
0
#56
Faceit level 10  | 
molodoy | 
Finland BlasuS
legend :[
2023-07-28 14:20
0
#57
Faceit plus user  | 
 | 
England naDalous
Thank you for a legendary 2019 run Sami <3
2023-07-28 14:20
0
#58
Faceit level 10  | 
Aleksib | 
Finland Toucherofgrass
Goat
2023-07-28 14:21
0
Testosami <3
2023-07-28 14:21
0
#61
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Canada kinley377
F
2023-07-28 14:22
0
Fuck.
2023-07-28 14:22
0
fak
2023-07-28 14:23
0
#65
Faceit plus user Faceit level 10  | 
gabs | 
Romania SplaXie^
atleast he stopped s1mple from that mirage clutch his best highlight
2023-07-28 14:23
0
#66
 | 
Russia mshkoda
F
2023-07-28 14:23
0
#67
Faceit plus user Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Netherlands CcARTii
ai ai the first of the probably many CSGO -> CS2 retirees
2023-07-28 14:23
0
#68
 | 
Hong Kong Odravkeo
F
2023-07-28 14:25
0
Legend
2023-07-28 14:26
0
#71
 | 
Russia moorlize
legend
2023-07-28 14:29
0
gg was a ride...
2023-07-28 14:29
0
#73
 | 
Belgium ESIC_CEO
gg F
2023-07-28 14:29
0
always a good calm and collected player, nice clutcher gl in future endeavors
2023-07-28 14:30
0
Legend, who single handedly denied s1mple winning his 1st major
2023-07-28 14:30
0
the goat :(((
2023-07-28 14:31
0
Seksiseiska :(
2023-07-28 14:32
0
Gl further man!
2023-07-28 14:33
0
#82
 | 
Germany hltvfinest
nooooo
2023-07-28 14:34
0
Damn a bit too soon imo, if he wouldve join an international team he could stayed in tier 1
2023-07-28 14:34
0
aleksib was the problem
2023-07-28 14:39
0
F
2023-07-28 14:40
0
xseven knows hes in roatation
2023-07-28 14:41
0
#92
 | 
Norway Snaids
Enjoy retirement legend
2023-07-28 14:42
0
the man that basically gifted astralis a major for free, he will never be missed! :D
2023-07-28 14:53
0
1 reply
every team in top 10 was gifting astralis free tournaments for 3 years straight
2023-07-29 09:56
0
#101
 | 
Finland Teukkasd
take it easy legend <3
2023-07-28 14:54
0
top 1 finland
2023-07-28 14:55
0
goodbye testosterone
2023-07-28 14:56
0
Legend in the game! Will be missed by the Finnish CS scene.
2023-07-28 14:57
0
s0mple's dad
2023-07-28 14:58
0
Seksiseiska <3
2023-07-28 14:58
0
#109
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Finland Emvi
F Testoseiska, wish him all the best. My favorite memory of pro cs, the 1v1 vs s1mple
2023-07-28 14:59
0
Goat
2023-07-28 15:02
0
It's crazy how aleksi was the first one to get kicked out of that original ence roster and he's the only one out of five of them who is still relevant in the tier 1 scene. The rest of them weren't the same after ence. Gl further to xseven, he was a decent player
2023-07-28 15:09
0
1 reply
In terms of tier 1 the rest of the team became irrelevant at the very second they kicked aleksib. The only reason they played any good events after were invitations and qualifications earned by aleksib.
2023-07-28 16:39
0
#115
 | 
England MikeLCHV
Aug goat, happy retirement legend
2023-07-28 15:10
0
testo <3
2023-07-28 15:10
0
LEGEND XSEVEN
2023-07-28 15:11
0
rip legend, SEKSISEISKA vs NAVI
2023-07-28 15:16
0
fak
2023-07-28 15:17
0
#122
 | 
Ukraine ksay
i liked this guy finnish Ence was something else
2023-07-28 15:17
0
Rip seksiseiska
2023-07-28 15:17
0
Really underrated, always played the worst roles at Ence and was one of the best support players at that time
2023-07-28 15:17
0
#125
 | 
Albania EZ4GOAT
RIP LEGEND
2023-07-28 15:18
0
En unohda ikinä
2023-07-28 15:21
0
#129
 | 
Finland Snaatti
o7 testosami
2023-07-28 15:24
0
#132
 | 
Greece Fangu1
Fluke player, Finnish cs always been bad
2023-07-28 15:29
0
6 replies
It was like: finnish cs bad bad mirage clutch - goat bad retire
2023-07-28 15:42
0
3 replies
You two obviously don't know anything about CS if you don't respect xseveN.
2023-07-28 15:52
0
2 replies
I know about sweden cs, brazilian cs, CIS cs, denmark cs, NA cs, french cs, polish cs and etc. Couse they have/had era, bunch of brilliant players and coaches, big scene and fanbase. What I learn remarkable about finnish cs, clutch on mirage and allu's balls perhaps.
2023-07-28 17:15
0
1 reply
How about the various god gamers? You can start with xseveN.
2023-07-28 17:15
0
ok
2023-07-28 15:50
0
greece player hasnt even ever played in a tier 2 team XD
2023-07-28 21:14
0
#133
 | 
Turkey puckpuck
made us dream in 2019
2023-07-28 15:29
0
expected
2023-07-28 15:31
0
Gl
2023-07-28 15:33
0
THANK YOU MISTER x7
2023-07-28 15:34
0
Respect another one knowing when it’s time to retire unlike many pros trying to farm cash
2023-07-28 15:51
0
1 reply
He's retiring because of a lack of motivation. He was still the best Finnish player.
2023-07-28 15:53
0
i’ll miss him thanks for memories
2023-07-28 15:54
0
Thank you Testo!
2023-07-28 15:54
0
o7
2023-07-28 15:56
0
good luck in your future life, thanks for the amazing major with ENCE.
2023-07-28 15:57
0
Good player
2023-07-28 16:06
0
good to see everybody still hates finnish people
2023-07-28 16:17
0
1 reply
??? 95% of the comments have been positive, this reaction is honestly better than i expected
2023-07-28 16:27
0
#163
 | 
Poland BAN_ANIME
o7 good luck mens))
2023-07-28 16:25
0
#164
 | 
Croatia KraljBrk
Legend!
2023-07-28 16:25
0
$260k in carrer earnings enough to start this new chapter of his life
2023-07-28 16:28
0
4 replies
#169
Faceit premium user Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Aleksib | 
Finland Slyp3
Unfortunately, if you think he was fully pro atleast 7 last years, that's not a lot of money. Ofc +salary, but idk how much Havu and Ence at the beginning could pay
2023-07-28 16:48
0
3 replies
indeed but if these 260k are real should be more than enough to rent a house, buy a car and going back to university
2023-07-28 16:56
0
2 replies
#193
Faceit premium user Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Aleksib | 
Finland Slyp3
260k/8y(when they signed for rctic) is a little bit over 32,5/year and just 2,7k/month. That's a stable income but not big enough that you could really save huge amounts
2023-07-28 18:37
0
#194
Faceit premium user Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Aleksib | 
Finland Slyp3
And "should be more than enough to rent a house, buy a car and going back to university"??? You dont really need any own capital for these. You can finance all of these by just getting a job/studying
2023-07-28 18:38
0
Damn that sucks
2023-07-28 16:48
0
#173
 | 
China Jimmyzera
F bro
2023-07-28 16:57
0
Sad day for Finnish CS, very sad.
2023-07-28 16:59
0
<3 rakas sami
2023-07-28 17:19
0
#180
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Russia nvtsu1
Aerial, xseveN and sergej retires allu play in t3 team only Aleksib in NaVi RIP FINNISH ENCE
2023-07-28 17:35
0
Dude delivered a historical clutch and became a part of EZ4ENCE song. Won't be forgotten :)
2023-07-28 17:40
0
will remember especially your Mirage B holds on ct side. gl to future
2023-07-28 17:43
0
1 reply
+1
2023-07-28 20:38
0
sex7
2023-07-28 17:49
0
Kiitos Osmo Thx x7
2023-07-28 18:26
0
Damn, rip Legend
2023-07-28 18:27
0
Respect... he was a beast in Havu... especially during that 18 map win streak... how many players can say they have done that in t1-t2?
2023-07-28 18:28
0
2 replies
#192
 | 
United States urm@m
the whole of g2 can
2023-07-28 18:36
0
1 reply
5 players out of hundreds of pro players... u re-affirming my point that not many...
2023-07-28 18:46
0
#191
Faceit level 10  | 
molodoy | 
Finland la_costena
Finnish scene has dead. Only Jimpphat, saw and Aleksi we trust. RIP xseven, aerial, sergej, Jamppi etc. And Derke choosed Valorant over CSGO when he was like 15-16 yo (and he is S-tier player atm)
2023-07-28 18:40
0
4 replies
#219
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
Didn't Jampi mention he would return to the scene someday , when Valve put that 5 year old ban period on VAC accounts ?
2023-07-28 22:30
0
3 replies
at this point i dont think so at least in years,he is pretty decent in tier 1 va and paying in team liquid probably getting crazy salaries
2023-07-29 10:02
0
2 replies
#233
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
I see . Sad if that's what the case turns out to be .
2023-07-29 11:49
0
#235
Faceit level 10  | 
molodoy | 
Finland la_costena
+1 it makes no sense to take such a big financial risk by changing the game and the lucrative contracts
2023-07-29 18:03
0
finally
2023-07-28 18:39
0
#199
Faceit level 10  | 
Denmark valt3rr
Thank you beast!
2023-07-28 18:47
0
#203
 | 
Finland HARD4ENCE
End of an era of sorts, at least for Finnish CS. Good luck with whatever comes next!
2023-07-28 18:54
0
#205
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Latvia kurm1z
GL Legend
2023-07-28 19:03
0
Big F. The legend, the testo is gone. Sad day for CS. RIP finnish testo god.
2023-07-28 19:18
0
Everytime I see one of the original Finnish ENCE members, I get reminded of what could of been and how they completely screwed aleskiB over.
2023-07-28 20:08
0
#210
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
KRIMZ | 
Poland deolic
F, he was one of the best Finnish CSGO players.
2023-07-28 20:13
0
1 reply
One of the Finnish players of all time
2023-07-29 01:47
0
I'm fucking crying man...
2023-07-28 21:57
0
finnish players are not reliable, stay away from them.
2023-07-28 22:06
0
1 reply
#224
 | 
Finland sway777
italy no-scene talking
2023-07-29 07:57
0
#220
 | 
Russia HikZ
bro single handedly owned s0mple
2023-07-28 22:52
0
Kiitos!
2023-07-29 07:44
0
#225
 | 
Finland sway777
Legend. Thank you for everything you did for Finnish CS <3
2023-07-29 07:58
0
Did you know that name xseveN comes from hes youth days, he played football with number 7 and then he started to play csgo and so he was ex #7 = xseveN
2023-07-29 09:52
0
imagine if they never replaced aleksib
2023-07-29 11:17
0
EZ4ENCE last chant
2023-07-29 11:57
0
Thank you xseveN and good luck in the future. I hope you will stay in the scene some way or another!
2023-07-29 19:53
0
Login or register to add your comment to the discussion.

Back to comment

Now playing
Thumbnail for stream
Brazil
MADHOUSE TV
17891 viewers
Top streams
All(64)
Casters(45)
Streamers(12)
Organizers(7)
Brazil
MADHOUSE TV
(17891)
Brazil
gaules
(9964)
Other
PGL
(8165)
Brazil
gaules
(4778)
Other
Thunderpick
(3340)
Russia
Paragon
(2910)
Other
PGL 2
(2565)
Russia
watchfulTV
(2019)
Brazil
gaules
(1801)
Russia
watchfulTV B
(1445)
Argentina
forg1
(1212)
Brazil
boltz
(1099)
Russia
Paragon 3
(925)
Brazil
fer
(880)
Argentina
forg1
(877)
Russia
HappyChucky
(850)
Brazil
nak
(721)
Russia
poka
(697)
Ukraine
Maincast
(640)
Belgium
ScreaM
(588)
Poland
IzakOOO
(583)
United States
Trottah
(491)
United States
freakazoid
(479)
Russia
m4ga
(440)
Brazil
mch
(439)
United States
Stewie2k
(436)
Russia
Paragon 2
(421)
Romania
Werty
(421)
Russia
SBolt
(398)
Argentina
elmorocho7
(314)
Ukraine
Maincast 2
(273)
France
KRL
(235)
United Kingdom
ESL TV
(230)
United States
Trucklover86
(188)
Brazil
mch
(168)
Finland
pelaajat
(167)
Brazil
VitinhO
(156)
France
Croissant Strike
(146)
Mongolia
maaRaa
(139)
Brazil
kabrafps
(132)
Russia
jmqa
(128)
Brazil
XISTERA
(123)
Other
PGL
(118)
Mongolia
Zilkenberg
(107)
Brazil
coldzera
(89)
Brazil
Tris_Mara
(87)
Other
PGL 2
(69)
Russia
Paragon
(58)
Kazakhstan
Paragon
(58)
Brazil
gaules TV 2
(46)
Brazil
BTSBrasilTV
(38)
United States
Regent
(37)
Brazil
VilacaTTV
(35)
Brazil
Napa
(30)
France
KRL 2
(25)
Brazil
gaules TV
(25)
United States
Trottah
(25)
Finland
Elisa Esports
(13)
United States
iamfusiion
(12)
Ukraine
WOLF
(6)
Brazil
kabrafps
(5)
Ukraine
Maincast
(2)
Brazil
BTSBrasilFPS
(1)
Brazil
JokerBR (YouTube)
(1)