neaLaN to Stand In for Fisher College at PGL Astana 2026 After ReFuZR Withdrawal

Fisher College Confirm neaLaN as Stand-In for PGL Astana 2026

Fisher College have officially announced that Sanzhar 'neaLaN' Iskhakov will stand in for the team at PGL Astana 2026, replacing Nils 'ReFuZR' Groot, who is unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

The last-minute roster change comes just weeks before the start of the $1.6 million Counter-Strike 2 event, scheduled to take place from May 9–17 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Why ReFuZR Will Miss PGL Astana

The issue first surfaced shortly after Fisher College secured qualification. The organization later confirmed that ReFuZR would not be available for the event.

According to reports, Fisher player Tommy 'corn' Eckhart explained:

“Personal circumstances leave us needing one for the event.”

It was also revealed that ReFuZR had a scheduling conflict known during the qualifier but chose to prioritize the team’s focus until qualification was secured.

neaLaN Brings Tier-One Experience and Home Advantage

The addition of neaLaN significantly changes the team’s dynamic. The 25-year-old Kazakh in-game leader is widely known for his time with Evil Geniuses and GamerLegion, and more recently for competing under NOVAQ.

His experience at the international level makes him a valuable addition for a team entering its first tier-one LAN event.

Fisher’s Alexander 'AlekS' Andersson welcomed the move, stating:

“Last time I played with neaLaN was in FPL-C back in 2018. Now we enter the group stage with a native that has loads of experience. Can't wait to start practising with neaLaN and getting ready for Astana.”

In addition to experience, neaLaN will benefit from a home crowd advantage, as the tournament takes place in Kazakhstan.

Fisher College’s Historic Qualification

Fisher College have already made headlines by becoming the first collegiate team to qualify for a tier-one Counter-Strike event.

Their breakthrough came through the North America Closed Qualifier, where they secured a spot at PGL Astana 2026—one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year.

This achievement represents a rare crossover between collegiate esports and top-tier international competition.

Updated Fisher College Roster for PGL Astana 2026

The team is expected to field the following lineup:

Þorsteinn “TH0R” Friðfinnsson

Alexander “AlekS” Andersson

Milan “CrePoW” Libbrecht

Tommy “corn” Eckhart

Sanzhar “neaLaN” Iskhakov (stand-in)

ReFuZR, despite helping the team qualify, will not attend the event.

What This Means for Fisher College at PGL Astana

While losing a core player ahead of a major event is never ideal, the addition of neaLaN provides Fisher College with:

Proven tier-one experience

Leadership and in-game calling

Familiarity with high-pressure LAN environments

However, integrating a stand-in on short notice remains a challenge, especially for a team preparing for its first appearance on the big stage.

PGL Astana 2026 Overview

Event: PGL Astana 2026

Dates: May 9–17, 2026

Teams: 16

Prize Pool: $1,600,000

Location: Astana, Kazakhstan