Sources: TIFA set to reunite with Karina after cutting ties with Galions

After months of negotiations, midlaner Alena "TIFA" Maurer is setting sail for new horizons after parting ways with Galions due to a failure to reach common ground in negotiations. Per sources, the crux of the issue lies in the nature of the contract proposed by the organization, as the midlaner required an employment contract, while Galions only offered her a freelance status. Despite having expressed mutual interest and scrimming together for the past month, an agreement could not be reached on that front—a claim denied by sources close to the organization, who asserted that deals with the player had already been finalized and were compliant with regulations. This marks the second midlaner to have initially reached an agreement with Galions but later parted ways in the same offseason, with Rym "rym" Salloum being the first after opting to join G2 Esports instead.

Now, TIFA is set to join a new squad, while remaining on the lookout for offers. The roster includes former SK Avarosa toplaner GWolfieG, former Vitality Rising Bees jungler and long-time teammate Agnė "Karina" Ivaškevičiūtė, AD carry Xayla, former Chester Gaming support Ana "Iana" Ioana, and coach Frank "RdHausFoX" Biondo. Though the team was initially founded by and originally fielded former Solary midlaner Lilly "Lilium" Cintosun, sources indicate that the budding roster parted ways with her due to disagreements between certain team members.

Having clung to the hope of signing TIFA for the better part of the last three months, the French organization now finds itself in a tough spot, with most of the scene's top talents having already found new teams. After facing a similar situation twice this offseason alone, Galions now have a clear way forward, but sources indicate the team’s frustration with the circumstances. Internally, staff members have regretted the scene’s lack of professionalism, citing the absence of poaching policies and structured roster move periods—issues stemming from the lack of Riot-supported competitions until now.

At this time, the organization has already begun eyeing new prospects to replace TIFA—options that, according to sources, were already on the team’s radar in case they were unable to finalize the deal with the midlaner. Among the team's options is a rookie, for whom this opportunity could mark her first appearance on a high-tier team after peaking at Grand Master in solo queue. Galions is also eyeing Iva "Ive" Matković, who, despite not having the same solo queue prowess, has impressed in tryouts so far. On social media, the midlaner recently confirmed her successes in tryouts, though sources indicate that her post actually referred to tryouts with another organization, which is also eyeing the Croatian talent.

While TIFA is now set to reunite with her friend and former teammate Karina, the path to joining this new team was a challenging one. As mentioned earlier, this change in midlaner was made possible by the team’s decision to part ways with its founder and former player, Lilium—a move that has sparked considerable discussion behind the scenes, as sources indicate that both parties severed ties on sour terms. While the team cited difficulties in working with Lilium, the former midlaner pointed to a lack of transparency from her team's management and unfair treatment toward her—both claims that were refuted by the opposing parties. The midlaner, in particular, expressed regret over her former team's unwillingness to give her a chance to improve on the discussed issues, a stance the team justified by stating they didn’t believe their former teammate could make the necessary changes in a short enough timespan. Lilium has since made a public statement on the story.

Currently competing temporarily under the banner of TeamOrangeGaming in the Prime League, TIFA's new team now moves onward. While the squad is still on the lookout for a permanent home in 2025, sources have indicated that it has already held talks with an LEC team and even received interest from North American organizations regarding a potential acquisition. If the team is able to reach agreeable terms with any of the aforementioned organizations or a new party, it will compete both in the Prime League 4th Division and in the women's scene under its new banner.