Kyousuke Might Miss Out on IEM Cologne Major Stickers

The situation around Falcons’ roster ahead of the IEM Cologne Major is becoming increasingly tense. Russian player Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin is at risk of not only missing upcoming matches but also losing his chance to receive a personal sticker at one of the biggest tournaments of the year.

The issue stems from visa problems. Kyousuke was unable to secure the necessary documents in time and has already missed the opening matches of BLAST Open Rotterdam. At the moment, it remains unclear whether he will be able to join the team later in the tournament or miss the event entirely.

In his absence, Falcons are playing with a substitute. Matej “NucleonZ” Trajkoski from the academy roster has stepped in — and his participation could have far-reaching consequences beyond just a temporary replacement.

According to Valve’s rules, sticker eligibility is tied directly to roster participation. If a player competes in a sufficient number of official matches before Major invites are issued, they are considered part of the main lineup. In Falcons’ case, the key threshold is five matches.

BLAST Open Rotterdam is the final event before invites for the IEM Cologne Major are distributed on April 6. If NucleonZ reaches that five-match mark, he will officially be recognized as part of the main roster — and will receive a personal sticker instead of kyousuke.

This scenario is far from unlikely. If Falcons manage to make it out of the group stage and reach the semifinals, NucleonZ will likely hit the required number of matches.

The team has already made a strong start, defeating NRG 2–0 in their opening match, increasing the chances that the current lineup will remain unchanged throughout the event.

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As a result, kyousuke’s sticker fate now depends not only on resolving his visa situation but also on Falcons’ performance in Rotterdam. Situations like this are rare in esports — but when they happen, they can be especially painful, as Major stickers are a permanent mark in a player’s career.