huNter- backs G2 to break into elite: “We have everything that we need to be a top team”

Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač believes G2 already have the pieces and tactical depth required to become a genuine top team — with confidence now the biggest barrier between his lineup and the next level.

The G2 captain spoke after his team kept their BLAST Open Porto 2026 campaign alive with a convincing 2-0 victory over Natus Vincere, taking Ancient 13-6 before surviving a late NAVI push on Inferno to close the map 13-10.

It was an important response from G2 after their 0-2 defeat to Spirit two days earlier, when they managed just six rounds on Dust2 and nine on Cache. Against NAVI, however, the team looked far more composed, with HeavyGod leading the server on 37 kills and a 1.61 Rating 3.0. huNter- finished the series with 26 kills and a 0.99 rating while continuing to handle G2’s calling duties.

More important than the statistics was what the victory appeared to confirm for G2’s captain: he does not see the team’s ceiling as a personnel problem. In his view, the tools are already there.

Quick Context

Detail	Information
Player	Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač
Team	G2
Role	Rifler / IGL
Event	BLAST Open Porto 2026
Interview type	Post-match / IGL leadership interview
Match	G2 2-0 Natus Vincere
Maps	Ancient 13-6, Inferno 13-10
Tournament position	Group A lower-bracket final
Next opponent	Winner of Aurora vs. M80
Main storyline	huNter- believes confidence is the key to turning G2 into a consistent top-level contender

G2 currently field huNter-, NertZ, HeavyGod, MATYS and r1nkle under coach Eetu “sAw” Saha. The team sits ninth in HLTV’s ranking, while r1nkle is the most recent addition after replacing SunPayus as G2’s primary AWPer in June.

Why huNter- believes G2 can take another step

G2’s recent results have placed them in an awkward but promising position. They have been competitive against elite opposition and reached the quarter-finals of the Esports World Cup, but have yet to turn those deep runs into regular finals or trophies with the current structure.

At EWC, G2 defeated M80, BIG and Astralis before falling 2-1 to FURIA in the quarter-finals. Their BLAST Open Porto run has followed a similarly uneven pattern: an impressive opening victory over Aurora, a one-sided defeat to world No. 1 Spirit and now a convincing response against NAVI.

For huNter-, that inconsistency does not mean G2 need another overhaul.

He argued that trust within the roster is already strong, the tactical playbook gives them enough options and the individual quality is present. The missing ingredient, particularly on an individual level, is confidence.

That distinction matters. Instead of pointing toward role problems or a shortage of firepower, huNter- sees G2’s development as an internal process: reviewing matches and practice, identifying recurring mistakes and becoming more reliable under pressure.

His target is also clear. Simply reaching playoffs is no longer enough. G2 need to start putting themselves into finals and competing for trophies if they want to establish themselves among the elite.

G2 respond after Spirit disappointment

The NAVI victory came only two days after one of G2’s weakest performances of the tournament.

Spirit beat them 13-6 on Dust2 and 13-9 on Cache in the upper-bracket semi-final, denying G2 an early playoff berth. G2 struggled to generate sustained pressure against the world No. 1 team, and huNter- acknowledged after beating NAVI that his side had simply failed to show its level in that series.

The response against NAVI was much sharper.

G2 controlled Ancient from the outset and converted a 9-3 first half into a comfortable 13-6 victory. Inferno became more complicated. G2 carried another strong lead into the second half, only for NAVI to begin reducing the deficit as G2 dealt with economic problems and limited CT utility.

According to huNter-, some of G2’s defensive setups also left them vulnerable when NAVI repeatedly pressured the A side.

A timeout from sAw helped stabilize the defence. The coach emphasized conserving utility for NAVI’s short-side attacks and reminded the team not to panic with the lead still in their hands. G2 eventually regained control and closed the series without requiring Mirage.

That ability to recover inside a map is exactly the kind of composure huNter- wants the team to develop consistently.

Inferno is becoming one of G2’s clearest weapons

huNter- was particularly positive about G2’s understanding of Inferno.

Rather than relying on a single identity, he described a system capable of changing tempo and presenting opponents with different looks. G2 can play patiently, accelerate rounds or use prepared explosive plays depending on what the defence gives them.

The early evidence at BLAST Open Porto supports that confidence.

G2 demolished Aurora 13-5 on Inferno in their opening series before beating NAVI 13-10 on the map four days later. Spirit removed Inferno during the veto in their own victory over G2, meaning G2 remain unbeaten on the map at the event through their first three matches.

huNter- stopped short of calling G2 the best Inferno team in the world, however. His focus remains on continuing to refine the map and learning from losses when they eventually come.

That caution fits the broader message of his interview. G2 are confident in the system, but huNter- is not claiming they have already reached their destination.

r1nkle gives huNter- another option in the mid-round

The other major topic was r1nkle, whose arrival has altered how G2 can approach rounds.

The Ukrainian AWPer officially joined from Ninjas in Pyjamas on June 25 after G2 moved SunPayus to the bench. He made an immediate impression at the Esports World Cup and has continued to show the aggressive tendencies G2 wanted from their new sniper.

For an IGL, that aggression can be particularly valuable.

huNter- highlighted r1nkle’s willingness to communicate ideas and take initiative instead of waiting exclusively for instructions. The 21-year-old does not only ask for an opening duel at the start of a round; he also proposes plays and searches for opportunities during mid-round situations.

At times, huNter- joked, that initiative even has to be restrained.

Still, his assessment of the AWPer was overwhelmingly positive: “He's young and a bright future is in front of him.”

r1nkle’s recent performances explain the optimism. He produced a 1.48 rating in G2’s 13-11 victory over M80 at the Esports World Cup and was central to the comeback against Aurora in Porto, recording 32 kills on Anubis as G2 recovered from 12-7 down to win 16-12.

Against NAVI he was not required to dominate in the same way, but still supplied 30 kills and a team-high 15 AWP kills across the series.

The lower-bracket final will test G2’s confidence again

G2’s NAVI victory did not secure a playoff place. They must win one more best-of-three in the Group A lower-bracket final on August 31, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals and the loser eliminated.

Their opponent will be either Aurora or M80.

huNter- was relaxed about either possibility, saying: “I'm not worried.”

There are reasons for G2 to feel comfortable against both teams, although neither matchup should be treated as automatic.

G2 have already beaten Aurora at this tournament. Their August 26 meeting ended 2-0 after a dominant 13-5 Inferno and a dramatic Anubis comeback from 7-12 to 16-12. Facing the same opponent twice within one group stage introduces a different challenge, however, because Aurora would have fresh information and a clear opportunity to adjust.

M80 also have recent history with G2.

G2 beat them 13-8 on Mirage at the IEM Cologne Major in June, although that match came before r1nkle replaced SunPayus. The current G2 lineup then defeated M80 13-11 on Mirage at the Esports World Cup on August 12, with r1nkle producing 24 kills and the highest rating on the server.

That more recent EWC meeting is the more useful reference point because it featured G2’s current five-man roster.

At the time of this update, Aurora and M80 were still playing their lower-bracket semi-final, so G2’s opponent had not yet been determined.

Player and team context

huNter- remains one of the central figures in a G2 project that has changed significantly around him.

The 30-year-old has represented G2 since October 2019 and has moved into the IGL role while continuing to rifle. Over the past three months, his individual numbers have been relatively modest — around a 1.02 Rating 3.0 — making his leadership increasingly important to how the team functions.

The supporting pieces offer considerable firepower.

HeavyGod was G2’s best player against NAVI, MATYS added 29 kills and a 1.34 rating, while r1nkle has already demonstrated his ability to take over maps from the AWP. NertZ gives the lineup another experienced aggressive rifler, even though he had a quieter NAVI series statistically.

The question is therefore less about whether G2 can produce high-level Counter-Strike on a good day and more about how frequently they can reproduce it.

Their Porto campaign has already shown both versions.

Interesting facts

• r1nkle joined G2 from Ninjas in Pyjamas on June 25, replacing the benched SunPayus as the primary AWPer.
• G2 are currently No. 9 in the HLTV world ranking.
• G2 have won both Inferno maps they have played at BLAST Open Porto: 13-5 against Aurora and 13-10 against NAVI.
• Their quarter-final appearance at the Esports World Cup was the new lineup’s first significant LAN run with r1nkle.
• G2 have already beaten both of their possible next opponents in recent competition: Aurora in Porto and M80 at the Esports World Cup.

What comes next?

G2 will return on August 31 for the Group A lower-bracket final against the winner of Aurora vs. M80. Victory sends them to the BLAST Open Porto quarter-finals; defeat ends their tournament.

For huNter-, it is another immediate test of the point he made after beating NAVI.

G2 do not need to prove they possess enough tactical ideas or individual talent to compete. They have already shown those qualities in isolated series. The next step is demonstrating that the same level can survive bad starts, economic pressure and the demands of elimination matches.

If G2 can turn that into consistency, the captain believes finals and trophies become realistic targets rather than distant ambitions.

FAQ

Who is huNter-?

Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač is a Bosnian Counter-Strike player who has represented G2 since 2019. He currently serves as the team’s in-game leader while playing as a rifler.

What did huNter- say about G2’s potential?

He argued that G2 already possess the players, tactical depth and trust required to compete at the highest level. He identified individual and collective confidence, along with correcting recurring mistakes, as the main areas the team must improve.

What happened in G2 vs. NAVI?

G2 defeated NAVI 2-0 in the BLAST Open Porto lower bracket, winning Ancient 13-6 and Inferno 13-10. HeavyGod led G2 with 37 kills and a 1.61 Rating 3.0.

Who does G2 play next?

G2 will face the winner of Aurora vs. M80 in the Group A lower-bracket final on August 31. The winner qualifies for the BLAST Open Porto quarter-finals, while the loser is eliminated.

When did r1nkle join G2?

r1nkle officially joined G2 from Ninjas in Pyjamas on June 25, 2026, taking over the primary AWP role from SunPayus.