German Rifler faveN Returns to BIG, Finalizing the CS2 Lineup for 2026

German Rifler faveN Returns to BIG, Finalizing the CS2 Lineup for 2026

Berlin International Gaming (BIG) have officially completed their Counter-Strike 2 roster ahead of the 2026 season by bringing back Josef “faveN” Baumann, marking a major step in the organisation’s ongoing rebuild. His return fills the vacant spot left by David “prosus” Hesse, who has been removed from the active lineup after several months with the team. 

The announcement comes on the heels of BIG securing Benjamin “blameF” Bremer as their in-game leader (IGL) and team captain, a signing that generated significant buzz given blameF’s previous tenure with top European squads such as fnatic. Alongside these moves, former BIG star Tizian “tiziaN” Feldbusch has rejoined the organisation as an assistant coach, strengthening the team’s leadership and experience. 

Daniel Finkler, CEO of BIG, stated that bringing faveN back was a “powerful piece” of their rebuild, highlighting his continued development and high potential ceiling. Finkler emphasised that the combination of blameF’s strategic leadership and tiziaN’s institutional knowledge gives the revamped roster a balance of international experience and up-and-coming firepower. 

Who is faveN and Why This Matters

Josef “faveN” Baumann is a 25-year-old German rifler who originally rose to prominence in the European CS:GO scene before transitioning to CS2. He first made waves in esports around 2017, progressing through teams such as DIVIZON and EURONICS and later competing with Sprout — where he achieved various strong finishes in tier-2 competitions. 

FaveN’s first stint with BIG ran from December 2021 to June 2023, during which time he was part of the squad that claimed the Roobet Cup 2022 online title — one of the notable European online trophies of that season.

After departing BIG in mid-2023, he spent time with BLEED Esports, before parting ways with them later in 2024. He then competed with 9INE throughout 2025, where he impressed with an average rating above 1.10, a strong statistical performance in competitive play. 

The New BIG CS2 Roster for 2026

With faveN’s arrival, BIG’s projected starting five for CS2 are now:

• Benjamin “blameF” Bremer – Team Captain & IGL

• Johannes “tabseN” Wodarz – Veteran rifler

• Jon “JDC” de Castro – Core rifler

• Josef “faveN” Baumann – Returning rifler

• Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin – Young rising talent

The coaching staff will consist of:

• Sebastian “xenn” Hoch – Head Coach

• Tizian “tiziaN” Feldbusch – Assistant Coach and organisational veteran

This mix blends experienced European talent with a renewed strategic core under blameF’s leadership, positioning BIG to be more competitive in international events throughout 2026.

What This Means for BIG’s Competitive Prospects

This reshuffle marks BIG’s most calculated effort in recent years to build a consistent lineup capable of contesting at high level CS2 events. Prior to these moves, the team had struggled for deeper finishes in premier tournaments, and even failed to qualify for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. Their ranking at the time placed them outside the upper echelon of CS2 teams globally. 

Compounding these challenges were earlier roster fluctuations, including structural changes in coaching and organisational frustrations with converting potential into results. Debates among fans and analysts on platforms like Reddit pointed to BIG’s shifting identity and performance inconsistencies throughout 2025. 

FaveN’s return, alongside blameF’s tactical leadership, is widely seen as an attempt to stabilise the core and provide consistent strategic direction — something critics and supporters alike had called for. The team’s blend of veterans and dynamic players could help them climb the global rankings and secure invites to both international LANs and Major qualifiers in 2026.

FaveN’s Perspective

Upon re-signing, faveN expressed enthusiasm about his second stint with BIG, acknowledging that his first tenure “didn’t end the way [he] wished” but affirming that he is now “ready to achieve our goals” and believes BIG “feels like home.” This personal commitment underscores the emotional and competitive importance of his return for both player and organisation.