Plopski Returns to Metizport as MaiL09 Is Benched in Latest CS2 Roster Move

Metizport have officially reintroduced Nicolas Gonzalez Zamora (Plopski) to their active Counter-Strike 2 roster, while teenage prospect Liam Tügel (MaiL09) has been moved to the bench. The decision marks another step in Metizport’s ongoing rebuild heading into the 2026 season.

The roster update was first reported by HLTV, confirming that Plopski returns after a period of inactivity, while MaiL09’s future remains open through potential loans or transfers.

Why Metizport Benched MaiL09

Metizport explained the move as a role and structure issue rather than a performance failure. In their official statement, the organization said they faced “challenges finding the optimal role” for MaiL09 within the current lineup.

Importantly, Metizport emphasized that the benching is not the end of MaiL09’s journey with the team. The organization stated they will explore:

A temporary loan

A permanent transfer

Or a potential return to the starting lineup through internal competition

From a statistical standpoint, MaiL09 posted a 1.08 HLTV rating during his time with Metizport, a slight drop compared to his 1.14 rating while playing for Johnny Speeds earlier in 2025.

Plopski’s Return: Experience Over Experimentation

Plopski’s comeback provides Metizport with a more experienced rifler at a time when stability is a priority. The former Ninjas in Pyjamas player had stepped away from competition for personal reasons earlier in the year but is now back as part of the team’s revised direction.

His return aligns with Metizport’s broader strategy: reducing uncertainty while the organization finalizes its long-term international lineup.

Current Metizport CS2 Roster (January 2026)

Active players:

Nicolas Gonzalez Zamora

Jack Ström Mattsson

Isak Fahlén

Nikola Bošković

Coach:

Vincent Jozefiak

Benched:

Liam Tügel

Metizport are still actively searching for a primary AWPer, following the end of Tim “nawwk” Jonasson’s short-term stint with the team.

Bigger Picture: Metizport’s International Rebuild

This roster change fits into a larger trend. In late 2025, Metizport confirmed a shift toward an international roster model, citing limitations in the domestic Swedish talent pool.

The hiring of coach vinS and the permanent signing of Dragon further reinforced that strategy, positioning the organization for a more competitive 2026 campaign across European CS2 events.

MaiL09 Still Highly Rated by CS2 Superstars

Despite being benched, MaiL09 remains one of the most talked-about young talents in Counter-Strike 2. During HLTV’s recent coverage, two elite players publicly praised his potential:

• Nikola Kovač (NiKo) said MaiL09 looked “really sharp” in scrims and FACEIT games, emphasizing his long-term upside.

• İsmailcan Dörtkardeş (XANTARES) highlighted MaiL09’s unique playstyle and encouraged consistent development.

Such endorsements suggest the 16-year-old remains a high-value prospect on the CS2 transfer market.