PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 Announces Full Broadcast Talent Lineup

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 Announces Full Broadcast Talent Lineup

PGL has revealed the complete broadcast talent lineup set to cover PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, one of the biggest Counter-Strike 2 events of the year. The tournament — taking place from February 14 to February 23, 2025, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania — not only promises elite CS2 competition but also a high-caliber on-air team to deliver commentary, analysis, and player interviews to a global audience. 

Structure of the Talent Team

The broadcast crew consists of 15 people covering multiple roles that include desk hosts, analysts, casters (both on-site and remote), and a dedicated stage host/interviewer. 

Desk Hosts

• Richard “Richard Lewis” Lewis — Veteran esports journalist and host, known for his deep knowledge of Counter-Strike’s history and narratives. 

• Sam “Tech Girl” Wright — Experienced desk host with a presence across major CS2 events. 

These two anchor the broadcast desk, introducing segments, guiding transitions, and connecting discussions between analysts and interviews. 

Analysts

PGL has selected four senior analysts to break down tactics, strategies, and performance trends:

• Jacob “Pimp” Winneche — Highly respected former pro known for analytical depth.

• Janko “YNk” Paunović — One of the most revered Counter-Strike minds, with decades of strategic insight. 

• Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg — Respected analyst and caster with strong CS2 experience.

• Dustin “dusT” Mouret — Analyst and commentator known for his statistical and tactical breakdowns.

Analysts play a key role in explaining game nuance and trends, especially during and between matches. 

Casters

The event features four casting pairs, split between on-site talent at the BT Arena and remote commentators who call matches from studios elsewhere:

On-Site Casters:

• Mohan “launders” Govindasamy — Prominent analyst and commentator with a large global following. 

• Conner “Scrawny” Girvan — Versatile caster with experience across big LAN events. 

• Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill — Former pro and longtime voice in CS broadcasting.

• Alex “Machine” Richardson — Veteran commentator with decades of esports experience.

Remote Casters:

• Hugo “Hugo” Byron — Emerging voice in CS2 casting. 

• Harry “JustHarry” Russell — Skilled commentator with on-air versatility. 

• Adam “Dinko” Hawthorne — Well-known caster balancing inflection and excitement.

• Jason “moses” O’Toole — Long-time CS personality offering play-by-play insight.

This blending of on-site and remote commentary allows for flexible coverage and ensures that audiences get both atmosphere-rich live casting and studio-produced calls. 

Stage Host & Interviewer

• James “BanKs” Banks — Anchors the event floor, conducts player interviews, and bridges the gap between live competition and broadcast narrative.

His role is essential for bringing player perspectives directly to fans during pauses and post-game talks. 

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Context: Why This Lineup Matters

Major CS2 Event with Top Teams and High Stakes

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 is a premier Counter-Strike 2 Major tournament, attracting 16 of the world’s leading teams and featuring a $1,250,000 prize pool for competitors. 

HLTV and other esports media noted its importance in the 2025 season as teams competed for ranking points, prestige, and momentum within the global CS2 competitive calendar. 

The Competitive Landscape

The tournament saw significant participation from established organisations — including FaZe, MOUZ, Eternal Fire, and The MongolZ — all of which had previously been announced as invited teams. 

This event followed earlier announcements in the CS2 year about roster shifts, such as Virtus.pro, MOUZ’s evolving lineup with players like Spinx, and others transitioning into new roles in the competitive ecosystem. 

Community and Broadcast Reaction

Within fan communities (e.g., Reddit discussions), many highlighted excitement about Richard Lewis and “Tech Girl” Wright’s presence, and appreciation for analysts like Pimp and YNk, noting that the mix of respected figures alongside fresh voices could make this one of PGL’s most engaging broadcast productions to date. 

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Conclusion

The PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 broadcast talent roster reflects PGL’s commitment to delivering high-quality, professional coverage for a marquee CS2 event. The combination of experienced desk hosts, seasoned analysts, diverse casters, and a dedicated interviewer ensures that audiences worldwide — whether watching live or online — receive top-tier insight and entertainment throughout the tournament’s duration.