ENCE has a very promising roster. They’ve got a legendary in-game leader in Lukas "gla1ve" Rossander, an experienced star rifler in Viktor "sdy" Orudzhev, and two strong young riflers, Kacper "xKacpersky" Gabara and Ryan "Neityu" Aubry. Everything looks good on paper – except for one major problem: their AWPer, Paavo "podi" Heiskanen.

What’s wrong with podi?

Podi was never meant to be ENCE’s main sniper. He was playing on loan for Sprout, but when that team shut down, ENCE had to make a quick decision: send him back to the academy, loan him out again, or give him a shot on the main roster. They chose the third option, even though many doubted he was ready.

Now, almost a year later, it’s clear he’s not. His average rating in 2025 is just 6.2. That’s too low for a team with big goals. Yes, he had a few decent events – especially this spring, when ENCE won CCT Season 3 European Series 1 and he posted a solid 6.5 rating. But those moments are rare. Podi lacks consistency and experience, often disappearing in the big games. When he plays well, ENCE can win smaller events. But to compete on a higher level, they need consistency from their sniper – and he isn’t delivering it.

ENCE deserves more

ENCE is an ambitious organization. With a captain like gla1ve leading the team, and solid firepower across the board, this team should be competing at top events regularly. But with a weak AWPer, they’re stuck in Tier 2. They won a couple of events during this year, but the ambitions of the Finnish organization is to compete at the Major and tier 1 events. 

So who could replace podi? That’s the big question. We’ve got a few interesting options to consider – some realistic, some a bit more ambitious.

Option 1: mantuu

Current rating: 6.3

Mateusz "mantuu" Wilczewski is a great mix of experience and skill. He used to play for OG and now plays for 9INE, where he’s one of their top performers. He’s consistent, smart, and still hungry to prove himself. Bringing him into ENCE would be a clear upgrade over podi. He knows what Tier 1 feels like and could handle the pressure.

Option 2: afro

Current rating: 6.5

Aurélien "afro" Drapier had a rough time in Fnatic, but right now he’s doing well in a smaller team alongside mantuu. He’s finding his form again and could be available for cheap at the end of the season when Monte will most likely let him go. Afro has better aim, more experience, and more confidence than podi. If ENCE wants a budget upgrade, this is the move.

Option 3: sl3nd (Loan)

Current rating: 6.0

This would be more of a risky move. Henrich "sl3nd" Hevesi had a shaky time in GamerLegion, but he’s still very young and full of potential. He is not out of the roster yet, but there are already rumours about his replacement. A loan could help him rebuild confidence in a slightly less demanding team like ENCE. It’s not a huge improvement in stats, but sl3nd has played against top teams – and that counts for something.

Dream targets

Let’s say ENCE wants to go big. Two names come to mind:

w0nderful (from NAVI)

If NAVI decides to make changes, Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov could be available. His market value is lower now than a year ago, which makes it the perfect time to buy or loan him. His calm playstyle would fit well with ENCE’s aggressive riflers. He’s still very young but has already won big events. With the right support, he could shine again.

broky (bench at FaZe)

Helvijs "broky" Saukants is a big name, but his future is unclear. He’s benched at FaZe and might be open to a new start. The only issue? He’s used to Tier 1 and might not be interested in “starting over” at a team like ENCE. He skipped this stage before joining FaZe. Still, if the stars align, this could be a massive signing.

Final thoughts

ENCE is so close to being a serious team. They’ve got leadership, firepower, and young talent. But they’re being held back by one weak spot: their AWPer.

Podi has had chances to prove himself, but he hasn’t shown enough. ENCE doesn’t need a superstar – they just need someone stable, someone who can hit the shots and keep the pressure off his teammates. Whether it’s a veteran like mantuu, a reborn talent like afro, or a gamble on someone like sl3nd, it’s time for ENCE to make a move. Because with the right sniper, this team could go far.