Passion UA’s Roster Shift: T.c on Signing try, Moving On From Grim & hallzerk, and Integrating Senzu

Passion UA’s Roster Shift: T.c on Signing try, Moving On From Grim & hallzerk, and Integrating Senzu

Ukrainian organization Passion UA has entered a high-stakes period of strategic restructuring as it pursues competitive relevance in the 2026 Counter-Strike 2 season. Following a turbulent start to the year and underwhelming tournament results, the team has made bold roster moves, reorienting its core with new signings and navigating departures that reflect shifting ambitions. 

The changes were outlined in a detailed interview with Tiaan “T.c” Coertzen, Passion UA’s head coach, following the team’s run at Roman Imperium Cup V, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. 

---

1. Off-Season Chaos and Strategic Roster Reinvention

Passion UA entered 2026 with high hopes, but early results didn’t match expectations. They struggled to find consistency, including early exits at events such as the Bounty LAN and international appearances throughout January. T.c described the team’s start to the season as “chaotic,” highlighting that results early in the year didn’t reflect the level of preparation the org had hoped for. 

As a result, Passion UA decided to look at options in the transfer market much earlier than planned — a move driven not necessarily by poor performance alone, but by opportunity. This included interest from other teams in Passion UA’s established stars. 

---

2. The Player Exodus: Grim & hallzerk

A pivotal catalyst for changes was external interest in Michael “Grim” Wince, one of the team’s longest-standing players and a cornerstone of its original roster. Reports from the scene confirmed that NRG — a North American organization that has climbed into the upper echelons of the Valve Regional Standings — entered advanced talks to acquire Grim. 

T.c himself revealed that once NRG’s interest in Grim became concrete, Passion UA accelerated their recruitment efforts to ensure they maintained competitive balance while replacing departing talent. 

Furthermore, Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærli — another former Complexity transfer who had been with Passion UA for over three years — was officially benched in mid-February as part of the reshuffle. 

T.c stressed there was no animosity in Grim or hallzerk’s departures. He emphasized the strength of the personal relationships built over many years, noting both players’ contributions to Passion UA’s successes. 

---

3. Bold Additions: try and Senzu

To replace outgoing players and inject fresh talent, Passion UA brought in two surprising new additions:

• Santino “try” Rigal — a rifler with experience as an in-game leader (IGL), whose strategic voice and mid-round decision-making were identified as key upgrades for the squad.

• Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold, a promising young rifler signed from The MongolZ with potential for long-term growth.

T.c highlighted that try’s arrival was aimed at strengthening the team’s internal communication and climbing the ranks tactically. Despite only having practiced a few days together at the time of the interview, T.c praised try’s ideas, reads, and leadership instincts. 

---

4. Communication and Integration: Senzu’s English

One of the key logistical questions was how well Senzu would integrate, especially given English is his second language. T.c acknowledged that Senzu’s English was not yet fluent — comparing it to another player’s language level upon first joining — but stressed that this was expected to improve quickly with bootcamp time and team integration. 

He also mentioned that Senzu was taking lessons and that structured play-calling tools would help reduce miscommunication in matches. 

From the organization’s perspective, such risks are manageable given Senzu’s raw talent and potential upside. Passion UA’s CEO has additionally stated that the club holds an option to make Senzu’s loan a permanent transfer — especially if he continues to develop and the IEM Cologne Major arrives with promising team performance. 

---

5. Going Forward: Tournaments, Visa Challenges, and Major Rack

Despite the upheaval, Passion UA is forging ahead with a clear target: qualifying for the next Counter-Strike Major. T.c admitted that with so many changes and complications — including visas that could affect event attendance — the immediate goal was to secure any major qualification spot, rather than setting overly ambitious results targets. 

They confirmed participation in ESL Pro League Season 23 (EPL) and indicated that other event plans might change depending on visa and travel circumstances. 

---

6. Larger Scene Context: A Season of Unpredictability

Passion UA’s story reflects the wider volatility of the professional Counter-Strike ecosystem in early 2026. After a relatively quiet top-tier offseason — where most major organizations opted for stability over sweeping changes — many mid-tier and rising teams have scrambled for upgrades. 

The involvement of NRG in securing Grim illustrates a broader trend of cross-regional moves, with top NA talent returning from Europe and global rosters continuing to shuffle heading into the Major season. 

---

Summary of Verified Key Facts

• Passion UA struggled with early 2026 results and adjusted its roster rapidly. 

• Michael “Grim” Wince is set for a move to NRG, spurring Passion UA’s urgency. 

• Håkon “hallzerk” Fjærli was benched following the signing of Santino “try” Rigal.

• Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold joined the roster, with future transfer options discussed. 

• T.c confirmed there are no hard feelings in departures and emphasized team chemistry goals.

• Visa and communication logistics remain hurdles as the squad prepares for EPL and Major qualification efforts.