Team Liquid announces Twistzz departure after FISSURE Playground 2

Olivia Richman
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Image of Twistzz wearing Team Liquid jersey at BLAST Austin Major
Image credit: Michal Konkol, BLAST

Star Counter-Strike 2 player Russel ‘Twistzz’ Van Dulken will be leaving the Team Liquid roster after FISSURE Playground 2.

“After two years back on Team Liquid, Twistzz will be transferring from our team at the end of Fissure,” Team Liquid stated. “We want to thank Russ for his flexibility, adapting to the roles we needed him in and working hard to achieve his best every time he joined the serve.”

Team Liquid told its fans that there will be further roster updates ‘comin soon.’ Meanwhile, the team will continue competing in FISSURE Playground 2 with Twistzz, although it already lost its opening game to FURIA earlier this weekend.

Twistzz Returning to FaZe Clan

Soon after Team Liquid announced Twistzz’ upcoming departure, FaZe Clan tweeted in celebration of him ‘coming home.’ Twistzz competed with FaZe Clan up until 2023 when he left the team for Team Liquid.

The move to Team Liquid started with promise but resulted in a frustrating past two years for Twistzz and his fans. While Liquid fans were initially hopeful that Twistzz would be the addition the squad needed, the team failed to qualify for PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, resulting in Twistzz taking on the IGL role from Casper ‘CadiaN’ Moller.

The role shift didn’t help Team Liquid much the following year, with the CS2 community largely feeling it was the team as a whole rather than Twistzz’ own performance. With Twistzz seen as the ‘best player on the team’ by some fans, the news of his departure has Team Liquid’s followers a bit worried.

Meanwhile, Twistzz will officially compete with FaZe Clan starting with ESL Pro League Season 22. This has left FaZe followers wondering which current player is being removed from the active roster. Will it be Håvard ‘Rain’ Nygaard? While this has upset some fans, the arrival of Twistzz could see him return to his previous form.

Olivia Richman

Deputy Editor
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Olivia Richman is a seasoned esports journalist who has worked with Inven Global, Esports Illustrated, Esports.gg, and more. As an editor and writer at Esports Insider, she loves telling unique esports stories, especially within the FGC. When not working and gaming, Olivia loves collecting Kirby plush, eating sushi, and driving her cars at the track.
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