G2 Bench SunPayus After One Season Following Cologne Major Exit
G2 have officially benched AWPer SunPayus, ending the Spanish player's first season with the organization. The roster move comes shortly after G2's elimination from the IEM Cologne Major playoffs and marks the beginning of another important offseason for one of Counter-Strike's biggest organizations.
Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | G2 |
| Player | SunPayus |
| Status | Benched |
| Announcement | Official |
| Previous Event | IEM Cologne Major 2026 |
| Reason Given | Not publicly specified |
| Replacement | TBD |
What Happened?
G2 announced that Álvaro "SunPayus" García has been moved to the bench, ending his tenure as an active member of the starting lineup.
The announcement arrived shortly after G2's playoff exit at the IEM Cologne Major, where the European squad was eliminated by Spirit in the quarter-finals. While the organization confirmed the roster move, it did not publicly provide detailed reasoning behind the decision.
SunPayus joined G2 during the organization's major rebuild in 2025, arriving from HEROIC alongside coach sAw as part of a new competitive project.
Background: G2's 2025–2026 Rebuild
The current version of G2 was assembled after significant roster changes in 2025.
Key additions included:
- SunPayus
- MATYS
- coach sAw
The goal was to build a roster capable of consistently competing for trophies after previous lineup changes reshaped the team. Throughout the season, G2 produced several strong tournament performances and reached the playoffs at the Cologne Major before falling to Spirit.
Although the team demonstrated periods of improvement, the latest roster decision indicates G2 believes further changes are necessary ahead of the next competitive cycle.
Why This Matters
Benching an established AWPer is one of the most significant roster moves a team can make.
For G2, this decision creates several immediate questions:
- Who becomes the new primary AWPer?
- Will G2 promote an internal option or sign an external replacement?
- Will additional roster moves follow?
- How will this affect preparation for upcoming tournaments?
At the time of writing, no replacement has been officially announced.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | HEROIC announce SunPayus' departure ahead of joining G2 |
| July 2025 | G2 officially sign SunPayus |
| June 2026 | G2 reach IEM Cologne Major playoffs |
| June 2026 | G2 eliminated by Spirit in quarter-finals |
| June 25, 2026 | G2 officially bench SunPayus |
Updated Roster Status
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| huNter- | Active |
| HeavyGod | Active |
| MATYS | Active |
| NertZ | Active |
| SunPayus | Benched |
Replacement: TBD.
Key Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | G2 |
| Player | SunPayus |
| Nationality | Spain |
| Role | AWPer |
| Move | Benched |
| Official? | Yes |
| Replacement announced? | No |
Tactical Impact
SunPayus served as G2's dedicated AWPer, a role that typically anchors defensive setups, controls long sightlines, and provides opening picks in many tactical systems.
Without a confirmed replacement, G2 now face a key structural question: whether to recruit another specialist AWPer or redistribute responsibilities within the existing lineup. Until a new player is announced, any discussion about future roles remains speculative.
Impact Analysis
From a competitive standpoint, this move signals that G2 are not satisfied with simply reaching Major playoffs.
Instead, the organization appears willing to continue reshaping its roster in pursuit of consistent championship contention.
For SunPayus, becoming available could make him one of the most experienced AWPers on the market, potentially attracting interest from teams seeking proven international experience. No future destination has been confirmed.
What Changes Now?
Immediately following the announcement:
- SunPayus moves to G2's bench.
- G2 have an open starting position.
- The organization has not announced a replacement.
- Additional offseason moves remain possible.
What to Watch Next
Several developments will determine G2's direction over the coming weeks:
- Official announcement of a new AWPer.
- Any further roster moves.
- Registration of the lineup for upcoming tournaments.
- SunPayus' next destination, if another organization pursues him.
Related Teams, Players & Events
Teams
- G2
- HEROIC
- Spirit
Players
- SunPayus
- huNter-
- MATYS
- HeavyGod
- NertZ
Events
- IEM Cologne Major 2026
FAQ
Why did G2 bench SunPayus?
G2 confirmed the roster move but did not publicly explain the specific reasons behind the decision.
Is SunPayus leaving G2?
Not yet. He has been moved to the bench and remains under G2 unless another transfer is announced.
Who will replace SunPayus?
No replacement has been officially confirmed.
When did SunPayus join G2?
He officially joined G2 during the organization's 2025 roster rebuild.
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