There have been more gossip about the problems relating to the French scene. Of course, one country in particular caused shambles on the Counter-Strike scene.

Unfortunately, 2018 was a lost year for France in CS:GO but with the end of IEM Chicago 2018, a solution has appeared and we might see French teams coming in hot next year. To understand it better, let’s rewind back a bit, to how LDLC is now seen as the best French team around, at least for the time being.

LDLC rise from the grave

Since 2015, we haven’t seen LDLC in the top of Counter-Strike. The brand itself wasn’t interested in the big buyouts and drama that the elite French teams turned to be. Alternatively, LDLC tried to be a farm team. Those are clubs who bring new players and rise them until a proposal from a bigger team come.

Earlier this year, the situation for LDLC was dire. The team decided to remove ‘Ex6tenz’, the last ‘prestigious’ player they had and shortly after ‘Maniac’ announced his retirement. Alongside with those two, ‘DEVIL’, who once reached the top level of the French scene was also gone.

To replace ‘Ex6tenz’ initially, LDLC brought the unproven ‘LOGAN’ who didn’t impress. After hitting ever worst results and the other two players leaving, LDLC signed ‘AmaNEk’ and ‘devodudek’, who previously played in the North American iteration of Misfits.

The results didn’t take long to come in online leagues and minor tournaments. LDLC managed to lift the trophy at PMU Challenge 2018, Fusion.bet Masters 2, ESL Pro European Championship. In Chicago, they ended their run in the playoffs, beating North, NRG, Renegades and even taking one map from Liquid.

LDLC shows that France doesn’t need to rely in old names

Usually, when fans try to build a top French team, names like ‘KennyS’, ‘shox’ and ‘EX6tenz’ all comes to mind. In fact, those three are the ones leading the newest G2 project.

However, LDLC, currently the best team in the country doesn’t rely in any of those big names. Vitality, another French team in the rise, also has a couple of old names like ‘Happy’ in the squad but the team hopes are all with ‘ZywOo’, who is just starting his career in esports.

What this means is; France has enough talent to not have to rely on the old players surrounded by the infamous French drama to have success. Right now, instead of wishing to see ‘KennyS’ alongside ‘Shox’ on the top, fans want to see ‘AmaNEk’ and ‘ZyWoo’.

The best part of this is that organizations won’t need to check which players want to play with a certain one like they have to do nowadays. Those new players, from what is publicly known, doesn’t hold grudges against any other.

So yes, LDLC and to some extend Vitality, are showing that French doesn’t need another shuffle with the same old names. Instead, they need to invest and the up and coming talent.

G2 wants to follow suit

Just after the grand finals of IEM Chicago 2018, a new rumor surrounding G2 appeared. According to it, G2 is set to replace ‘Ex6tenz’ and ‘SmithZz’ with ‘Lucky’ and ‘JACKZ’ from 3DMAX.

Lucky and JACKZ are two other youngsters in the scene looking to build a name for themselves. 3DMAX had a short period of success before the FACEIT Major earlier this year but since them they’re showing to be lacking some tactical prowess.

JACKZ especially, has shown to be a very capable fragger in 3DMAX. Considering that G2 main problem is lack of firepower, he should be the right replacement for SmithZz. Lucky however is unproven but looking at his performances, he definitively has some firepower to add in G2.

The problem however for G2 is that they will be replacing their in-game leader Ex6tenz and adding two players without experience. Considering the drama that encircle that team, that might not work as intended.

KennyS and Shox still are great players, but it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation

Since the realization of this new G2 project, we have seen little of what Kenny and Shox are capable of. However, in some matches, those two played greatly, especially Kenny.

It’s not the time to retire for those two, but it’s clear that all drama that encompass them and names like Ex6tenz, Happy, NBK damaged the French scene too much already. It’s time to let a new generation take the headlines and France has more than capable talent.

‘Lucky’, ‘AmaNEk’, ‘ZywOo’ and promising players are surging and soon enough, the legendary French players should take the role of mentors for those youngsters. The Vitality project shows exactly that, as ZywOo is the main star but has Happy and NBK behind him.

Will 2019 be the year for France in CS:GO?

With teams and organizations finally looking at new names, 2019 is a really promising year for the French teams. G2, LDLC and Vitality all are set to climb up the rankings and reach top 10 once again.

Who will take the lead though? Let us know your opinion below!