Berlin, February 4, 2021 – Since January 15, more than 120 up-and-coming talents have proven themselves in a multi-stage casting process. The expert panel from Berlin International Gaming and OMEN has now selected the top five talents for the new BIG. OMEN Academy Team.
Since its founding in 2018 together with OMEN, the BIG. OMEN Academy Team is regarded today as the most successful youth development project in the DACH region and as a springboard for young talents into professional esports. To date, more than six former BIG. OMEN Academy players have made the leap to full-time professional play.
This was preceded by a multi-week casting process within the #GOBIG League featuring more than 120 of Germany's best CS:GO talents, who had to prove themselves before the expert panel headed by Fatih "gob b" Dayik and Tugay "TuGuX" Keskin. Additional jury members included BIG team manager Christian Lenz and Timo "Horstor" Prestin. In addition to in-game potential and tactical decision-making, the assembled expert panel also evaluated social behavior, teamwork, and communication skills.
The BIG. OMEN Academy Team at the 99damage Finals 2019
Five top talents convinced the jury on an in-game, communication, and tactical level. With an average age of just under 18, the young players also offer the development runway the BIG. OMEN Academy Team needs.
The following players qualified for a roster spot on the BIG. OMEN Academy Team:
Niklas "NIKZEj" Burmeister
Alex "DuubLex" Fominych
Thierry "Sanshine" Müller
Tim "tazmin" Maier
Tom-Niklas "Sw1ft" Ruhnke
Coach:
Tugay "TuGuX" Keskin
With a new generation of top talents, the renowned BIG. OMEN Academy Team is heading into the new season and will compete from late February in the top tier of the 99 Damage League.
Statement Daniel Finkler, CEO BIG
I'm delighted that we were able to secure five first-class talents for the new BIG. OMEN Academy Team following the conclusion of our casting. I'm very excited to see how the team develops over the coming months under the guidance of our Academy Head Coach Tugay "TuGuX" Keskin. Tugay brings a wealth of experience from his years as a professional player. The objective is clear: together with our partner OMEN, we want to gradually prepare these five top talents for professional play and develop their skills accordingly.
Statement Alphan Ozbaltaci, HP Gaming Marketing Manager DE & AT
After the players from the first BIG.OMEN Academy Team made the step into professional esports, we were very excited to meet the new candidates for the next generation of the Academy Team. We're delighted that this casting once again generated such strong interest among young German Counter-Strike talents. We're proud that, together with the outstanding coaches, trainers, and professional players from Team BIG, we can give young talents a chance at a professional career. We're confident and excited that the new Academy Team will follow a successful path, and we'll continue to support them along the way.
About OMEN
The OMEN brand from HP stands for easily accessible cutting-edge gaming technology and offers high-end laptops, desktops, displays, and accessories. Beyond powerful hardware, OMEN is also committed to helping gamers get the most out of themselves and fostering esports youth development in Germany. The partnership with BIG, as well as the founding of the BIG. OMEN Academy Team, is an important and foundational part of that mission.
About the BIG. OMEN Academy Team
Since jointly entering youth development with OMEN, the official BIG. OMEN Academy Team was unveiled to the public in October 2018 following an intensive five-week application and casting phase.While reviewing hundreds of applications, replays, and motivation letters and scouting selected talents, the expert team from BIG and OMEN had to assess a wide range of skills.In addition to in-game potential, communication skills, overall teamwork, and tactical decision-making were decisive factors. Ultimately, the panel agreed on a highly talented youth team that excelled on an in-game, communication, and tactical level, while with an average age of just over 18 also offering the necessary room for development. Within two years, the team worked its way up to the national elite and climbed to the top tier of the 99damage Pro League. In addition to a successful promotion to ESL Meisterschaft, the team went on to win 99damage Liga Season 15 in 2020 and also achieved notable results internationally in various cups and leagues.The BIG. OMEN Academy Team is regarded today as the most successful academy project in Germany and as a springboard for young talents into professional esports. More than six former BIG. OMEN Academy players have made the leap to full-time professional play to date.