After nearly two years away, Tricked has made its return to Counter-Strike with a roster that includes Valdemar “valde” Bjørn Vangså and several former members of Gaimin Gladiators. The revival of the team has been backed by a group of investors, including former footballer Nicklas Bendtner.
The new Tricked lineup features valde, Magnus “Nodios” Olsen, Jonas “Queenix” Dideriksen, Jason “salazar” Salazar, and Jamie “leakz” Bugge West Jensen, while Allan “Rejin” Petersen has taken on the role of coach.
“I’ve been heavily involved in putting together this roster,” said Bendtner, who gained fame for his time at Arsenal, in a press statement. “I genuinely believe this team is capable of competing at the highest level.”
“We have the right balance of experience and young talent,” said valde, the team’s in-game leader. “Our goal is simple: to bring Tricked back to the top.”
Tricked had exited Counter-Strike midway through 2023 after a bankruptcy, having spent most of their time outside the top 30 in the rankings. Their biggest achievement came in 2019, when they cracked the top 20 with a squad that included Nicolai “HUNDEN” Petersen, Rasmus “sjuush” Beck, and Lucas “Bubzkji” Andersen, winning the V4 Future Sports Festival 2019.
Valde and Rejin are the most recognizable figures in Tricked’s comeback. Both players built their names through successful stints with North and MOUZ, respectively. However, their most recent venture with TSM ended in disappointment, with the team suffering from significant roster instability and failing to achieve meaningful results.
The core of the new Tricked squad—Nodios, Queenix, and salazar—gained attention with their underdog run to PGL Major Copenhagen while playing for ECSTATIC. The team made it through the Opening Stage as the only Danish side at their home Major. Afterward, the trio signed with Gaimin Gladiators, but their performance declined as they struggled to replicate the success that saw them briefly reach No. 17 in the HLTV world rankings with ECSTATIC.
Completing the roster is leakz, a 21-year-old player who has spent his career moving between smaller Danish teams like WOPA and CEPTER.
