Falcons’ kyousuke to Miss BLAST Open Match vs NRG Due to Visa Issues

Falcons will begin their BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 campaign without Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin, who is set to miss the opening match against NRG due to ongoing visa complications.

The organization confirmed that kyousuke’s availability for the rest of the tournament remains uncertain, forcing Falcons to field academy player Matej “NucleonZ” Trajkoski as a stand-in once again.

This marks another setback for Falcons, who have repeatedly dealt with roster instability caused by travel restrictions affecting their Russian rifler.

NucleonZ Returns as Stand-In for Falcons

NucleonZ is already familiar with stepping into the main roster under pressure. The Macedonian prospect previously replaced kyousuke during the BLAST Bounty Season 1 Finals earlier this year, when similar visa issues prevented the Russian player from attending.

Despite the last-minute change, Falcons delivered an impressive performance in Malta, defeating top-tier teams like Liquid and Vitality before finishing second in the tournament.

That result proved Falcons can remain competitive even without their full starting lineup — a factor that could once again play a key role in Rotterdam.

Visa Problems Continue to Impact Falcons’ Season

Kyousuke’s absence is part of a broader issue tied to scheduling and Schengen visa restrictions. Earlier in 2026, Falcons’ in-game leader Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski explained that the team could not secure kyousuke’s presence for every European event due to the number of overlapping tournaments.

He noted that the team had to prioritize certain competitions, making it “impossible” to have a complete roster at all times.

These recurring issues have disrupted Falcons’ consistency throughout the season, particularly in building synergy and maintaining structured teamplay.

Falcons Still Adjusting After Stand-In Period

The impact of these roster changes was visible at IEM Krakow, where Falcons exited in the quarter-finals. Kyxsan later admitted that the team needed time to rebuild coordination after playing without kyousuke for an extended period.

According to him, Falcons had minimal practice with their full lineup before the event, which affected their overall performance.

NiKo and zonic Confident Despite Setback

Despite the challenges, Falcons remain optimistic. Nikola “NiKo” Kovač previously praised both NucleonZ and the coaching staff for their ability to adapt during stand-in situations, emphasizing that the team had shown strong form even under difficult circumstances.

Head coach Danny “zonic” Sørensen echoed that sentiment ahead of BLAST Open Rotterdam, stating that Falcons must stay positive and focus on their potential.

However, zonic also stressed that the team still needs to improve its cohesion, particularly in high-pressure matches where coordination and teamwork are crucial.

Why kyousuke’s Absence Matters

Kyousuke joined Falcons in 2025 as a key long-term investment and is considered one of the team’s highest-impact players. His role in the system is significant enough that NiKo has previously adjusted his own positions to accommodate him.

Losing kyousuke, even temporarily, affects Falcons’ tactical depth and firepower — making his absence a critical factor in their opening match against NRG.

Falcons vs NRG: What to Expect

Falcons will face NRG in their Group A opener at BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 with a modified lineup:

Falcons lineup:

NiKo

m0NESY

TeSeS

kyxsan

NucleonZ (stand-in)

While Falcons have proven they can perform with a substitute, the lack of stability could give NRG an opportunity to capitalize early in the tournament.

Conclusion

Kyousuke’s continued visa issues remain a major storyline for Falcons in 2026. Although the team has previously succeeded with NucleonZ, repeated disruptions are beginning to impact their long-term consistency.

All eyes will now be on whether Falcons can overcome yet another setback — and whether kyousuke can rejoin the squad later in the tournament.