The return of Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev to the competitive scene after a long break was not as successful as his fans had hoped. Joining the team Falcons on loan until the end of the year, s1mple faced challenges, and in the seven maps played, his team couldn't secure a single victory.

The first LAN performance at ESL Challenger Katowice was particularly difficult, with Falcons exiting the tournament early, losing to SAW and Eternal Fire. It was not the triumphant moment the renowned player was accustomed to.

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Searching for Stability and Focus on Success

Despite the setbacks, s1mple is not losing confidence and continues to work diligently with the team. In his interview after the exit from Katowice, he spoke about personal goals, emphasizing the importance of reaching the playoffs at the Perfect World Shanghai Major. "This is an ambitious task given the current form of the team, but I am confident we can achieve it," said s1mple.

He also noted that he sees opportunities to improve his individual game, although it is not yet yielding the expected results. The player acknowledges that he needs to get used to the new aspects of team interactions and personal responsibility in the game.

Adapting to CS2 and the Challenges of the New Game

The transition to CS2 adds complexities to an already challenging adaptation task. After a year's break and changing gaming environments, s1mple notes that CS2 requires an entirely different approach. He humorously observes that he is learning from scratch: from accuracy on new maps to tactics with smoke grenades and Molotov cocktails. "Everything has changed, from grenade mechanics to new tricks on maps," s1mple said.

Despite the technical challenges in online games, he is glad to be back on LAN, as it allows focusing on the game without delays and lags, making the experience more stable and enjoyable.

Future Plans and the Drive to Prove Himself

For s1mple, the loan to Falcons is not only a chance to return to competitive play but also an opportunity to remind everyone of his prowess as a world-class player. Amid increased skepticism and talks of retirement, he sees this project as a chance to prove that he is still ready to compete. "Thank you to NAVI for allowing me to return to the game, and Falcons for their trust," s1mple said. He also added that he would be happy to stay with the team long-term if he shows worthy results.

Main Goal — Shanghai Major and the Chance to Stay with Falcons

While s1mple is focused on the Shanghai Major, one of the team's major tasks remains improving team coordination and expanding the map pool. He emphasizes that one of Falcons' key issues remains the lack of synergy and cohesion.

Despite this, the player remains optimistic and believes that improvement is inevitable. "We are gradually understanding each other better, and it's only a matter of time," he added. Falcons' task for the coming months is preparation for the Shanghai Major, and according to s1mple, they are confident about making the top 8 in this tournament.

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Final Thoughts and Challenges Ahead

There is still much work ahead, and s1mple acknowledges that the transition to a new version of the game and working with a new team requires time. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic and believes that in the coming months, Falcons can achieve significant success.