TL;DR
- Virtus.pro benches OKOLICIOUZ after just weeks on the main roster
- Tomasz ‘phr’ Wojcik joins as stand-in with strong competitive pedigree
- Team showed mixed results during OKOLICIOUZ’s tenure with two tournament placements
- Fan community divided between criticism of management and support for new addition
- Full Polish roster maintained with experienced players and coaching staff
Virtus.pro has made a swift roster adjustment, removing Michal “OKOLICIOUZ” Glowaty from their active CS:GO lineup after a remarkably short trial period.
The organization confirmed that Tomasz “phr” Wojcik will temporarily fill the vacant position. OKOLICIOUZ originally joined in May as a replacement for veteran player Pawel “byali” Bienlinski, who departed following five years with the team citing philosophical differences with Virtus.pro’s operational approach.
Despite previous stand-in experience with Virtus.pro, the community expressed reservations about OKOLICIOUZ’s promotion to the main squad. These concerns proved justified when the player failed to secure a permanent spot and was subsequently removed from active competition.
During his limited time with the starting five, OKOLICIOUZ participated in two premier events. The team achieved runner-up status at the ESL Polish Championship Spring 2019 Finals and captured third position at Moche XL Esports tournament.
Interestingly, while fans initially doubted OKOLICIOUZ’s capabilities, many expressed disappointment with the organization’s handling of his benching.
One community member on HLTV.org captured the sentiment: “VP – taking players with potential from lesser teams, promising them a good salary, only to ruin their careers months later.” This highlights the delicate balance teams must maintain when managing player development and career trajectories.
Conversely, many community voices welcomed phr’s inclusion based on his demonstrated competitive record. While competing with AGO Esports, the player helped secure second place at the prestigious World Electronic Sports Games 2018 and third at the StarLadder & IMbaTV Invitational Chongqing 2018.
His previous organization also dominated several lower-tier competitions throughout 2018, establishing phr as a consistent performer in the Polish CS:GO scene. This tournament experience makes him a valuable asset for Virtus.pro’s strategic development.
With OKOLICIOUZ moving to the bench, Virtus.pro’s primary lineup now features Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski, Michael “snatchi” Rudzki, Michael “MICHU” Muller, Arek “Vegi” Nawojski, and phr in the stand-in capacity.
The entire active roster maintains Polish nationality, including head coach Jakub “kubn” Gurczynski. This national consistency provides communication advantages but also limits international talent acquisition options.
For teams navigating similar roster decisions, our Class Guide provides valuable insights into balancing team composition and player roles effectively.
Action Checklist
- Evaluate new player integration periods before making permanent decisions
- Analyze community sentiment while maintaining strategic independence
- Review stand-in player tournament histories for performance patterns
- Balance short-term performance with long-term player development
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Virtus.pro CSGO team benches OKOLICIOUZ, announce phr as stand-in Virtus.pro makes roster changes, benching OKOLICIOUZ after brief tenure and adding phr as stand-in