After putting its future on hold following the end of last season, German organization FOKUS is set to return to VALORANT Challengers DACH next year. The team is expected to build its new roster around two players who competed in VCT EMEA last season: Maikls “Serial” Ždanovs and Michał “MOLSI” Łącki, sources tell Sheep Esports.
Despite winning a VCL title earlier this year and
qualifying for Ascension EMEA, FOKUS ultimately fell short of securing a spot in the top EMEA league. Following that disappointment, the organization parted ways with its entire roster and will now look to rebuild from scratch in hopes of achieving greater success next season.
FOKUS claimed the Stage 1 title in VCL at the start of the year, but their Ascension run ended prematurely as they finished last in their group. Since then, many players and staff members from that roster have already found new opportunities.
Félix “al0rante” Brandl, for instance, has reached an agreement to join PCIFIC Esports, while the coach
Jiří “KUNDIKUNDI” Honkala will be part of GentleMates’ coaching staff next season.
Following the season, FOKUS cast doubt over its future by stating that it would take time to reflect and analyze its next steps before making a decision. After an inactive offseason with no tournament appearances, the organization has now confirmed its commitment to remaining in the league, with MOLSI and Serial set to become its first new signings.
MOLSI spent last season with
APEKS in
VCT EMEA. While he played a key role in the team’s Ascension victory, the following VCT season proved far more difficult. APEKS failed to win a single match, were relegated,
and eventually paused their VALORANT operations altogether.
Serial, meanwhile,
had a brief stint with Team Liquid. After finishing third at Stage 1 and qualifying for
Masters Toronto,
TL opted to replace him with Nikita “trexx” Cherednichenko. Serial will now return to the competitive circuit with FOKUS, as the organization looks to signal its ambitions with these high-profile additions.
