Zonic banned Falcons players from playing FACEIT before BLAST Open Rotterdam

Falcons head coach Danny “zonic” Sørensen revealed that the team is once again facing roster issues ahead of a crucial event. According to him, Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin failed to secure his visa in time, which caused him to miss BLAST Bounty Winter and will likely prevent him from joining the squad for BLAST Open Rotterdam.

Zonic reportedly explained that visa delays have been a recurring issue for kyousuke. He noted that the player often receives approval just a few days before departure, referencing a similar situation ahead of the Budapest Major, where the visa was granted only two days before the event. While the team was aware of the risks, the coach suggested that this time they were informed too late to properly prepare with a substitute.

He also implied that kyousuke turning 18 might help resolve these issues in the future, though for now the situation remains uncertain.

Following the news, the atmosphere within the team became tense. Zonic shared that players immediately started raising concerns about the Major and the possibility of future visa complications. He said he encouraged them to express their frustration early, but emphasized that they needed to refocus quickly, as BLAST Open Rotterdam is a key tournament in terms of securing a Major invite.

It has been confirmed that Matej “NucleonZ” Trakoski will stand in for kyousuke at the event. He previously substituted for the Russian player at BLAST Bounty Winter, where Falcons managed to reach the финал, which gives the team some confidence in the temporary replacement.

Zonic also addressed the team’s preparation approach. He stated that he had banned players from playing FACEIT for a week leading up to the bootcamp in Denmark, believing that the platform encourages bad habits that can carry over into official matches. Despite the players being unhappy with the decision, he insisted that discipline and decision-making in high-pressure games must take priority.

Kyousuke to Miss BLAST Open Rotterdam Start — Falcons Field NucleonZ as Stand-in

He added that while the team performs well in practice, certain mistakes still appear in official matches — mistakes that, in his view, are unacceptable at the top level.

BLAST Open Rotterdam kicks off tomorrow, with Falcons set to face NRG in their opening match. The tournament will be a crucial test for the team as they aim to secure a spot at the next Major.