Leaf to miss Esports World Cup due to health issues
Just a day before the start of the EWC - Esports World Cup 2025, G2 Esports announced that Nathan "leaf" Orf will not be attending the tournament in Riyadh due to ongoing health concerns. The organization shared the update via X, noting that leaf has been undergoing treatment since VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025 and will not travel per doctor’s orders.
Coach Steps Up as Emergency Substitute
In a follow-up post, G2 confirmed that assistant coach Peter "shhhack" Belej will temporarily step into the starting roster to replace leaf. The decision comes at an incredibly tight juncture, with G2 set to face off against Karmine Corp in just two days.
Shhhack, who last played professionally in 2023 with KPI Gaming, has been serving as G2’s assistant coach since early 2024. The situation echoes a sentiment expressed by Team Heretics earlier this year, that a sixth-man roster isn’t always necessary when coaches like Brandon "weber" William Weber and shhhack are ready to "plug in the mouse" at a moment’s notice.
Tactical Adjustments Incoming?
Leaf’s absence is a significant blow to G2’s well-established system. As the team’s sole Sentinel and occasional Viper on maps like Split and Lotus, his on-site presence has been instrumental throughout the season. Without a dedicated Sentinel replacement, G2 may be forced to adapt their strategies. Maybe even potentially running no-Sentinel comps on certain maps, a setup they already have on Lotus.
Fortunately, shhhack’s past as a Controller main could help ease the transition. Known for his Viper and Omen play, he brings valuable experience that may allow G2 to restructure their map pool accordingly, especially on maps that demand strong utility setups rather than traditional Sentinel anchoring.
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Leaf’s absence at the Esports World Cup is a huge challenge for G2 Esports, but with shhhack stepping up and tactical flexibility in hand, the VCT Americas Champions are far from out of the fight.
For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.
Featured Image Source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
I'm Kaustavmani Choudhury, or KC for short, or Zaibatsu, if you want. I'm an esports writer and enthusiast who's been working in the scene for 2 years now. Covering a range of games such as Counter-Strike, VALORANT and Rainbow Six Siege, among others, I believe I bring my own blend of expertise, storytelling, and insights into the world of Esports.
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