Rumor: G2 to Play IEM Rio 2026 Without huNter- — Temporarily Replaced by tAk [Updated]

Update as of 8:00 PM: G2 has officially announced that academy player Vilius "tAk" Keserauskas will replace Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač at IEM Rio due to "unforeseen circumstances." It was later revealed that the issue is injury-related—huNter- was seen with a cast on his leg in a photo.

The player himself commented on social media, stating that he won't be able to assist the team in Brazil but hopes for a quick recovery. According to him, he has a small bone fracture and a severe ligament sprain, forcing him to miss the tournament, while G2 will use tAk as a stand-in.

Original News

G2 is preparing for IEM Rio 2026 with a forced roster change. Insider information indicates that the team is already training with Lithuanian player Vilius "tAk" Keserauskas, who will temporarily replace Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač at the tournament. The Bosnian rifler will miss the event, but there are no transfer changes—this is merely a temporary solution.

Replacement Details

The information is confirmed by multiple sources, including Gromov and Offstage, as well as G2's internal practice games, where tAk has already been spotted in the lineup. The academy player is set to showcase his skills on the big stage during one of the most important tournaments of the spring.

Meanwhile, the club does not plan any long-term changes—huNter- remains a key player in the roster, and his absence is due to temporary circumstances.

Statistical Comparison

Looking at individual performance metrics over the recent period, tAk even appears competitive compared to the experienced player:

• Higher overall rating (6.4 vs 5.9)
• Better kill rate (0.75 vs 0.63)
• Higher average damage (83.85 vs 72.61)

At the same time, huNter- remains more stable in team play—particularly with better assist and trade interaction stats.

What This Means for G2

This substitution could be an interesting test for G2 ahead of the season's key matches. On one hand, the team loses the experience and stability that huNter- brings; on the other, they gain a more aggressive and mechanically strong player.

IEM Rio 2026 will be a serious challenge for both tAk and the entire G2 lineup. If the substitution works out, it could open new development paths for the club's roster in the future.