B8 has transformed from an ambitious esports startup into one of Eastern Europe’s most exciting CS2 teams. Founded by Dota 2 legend Dendi, the B8 CS2 roster has climbed the rankings through grit, smart roster moves, and a commitment to developing Ukrainian talent. Here’s everything you need to know about this rising force.
The Origins of B8 Esports
B8 Esports is a Ukrainian esports organization founded by The International 2011 champion Danil “Dendi” Ishutin. B8 was founded in January 2020 after Dendi left Natus Vincere, 8 years after he joined.
While the organization started with Dota 2, B8 expanded into Counter-Strike in 2021. B8 entered Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with the signing of ex-Marlian eSports on August 6, 2021.
The organization is now focused solely on CS2, channeling all resources into building a competitive roster capable of challenging Europe’s best.
Current B8 CS2 Roster
The team has undergone significant changes heading into 2026. The team’s current lineup consists of alex666 (Alexey Yarmoshchuk, Ukraine), npl (Andrii Kukharskyi, Ukraine), kensizor (Artem Kapran, Ukraine), esenthial (Dmitro Tsvir, Ukraine), and s1zzi (Daniil Vinnyk, Ukraine).
| Player | Real Name | Role | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|
| alex666 | Alexey Yarmoshchuk | Rifler | April 2024 |
| npl | Andrii Kukharskyi | Rifler/IGL | July 2023 |
| kensizor | Artem Kapran | Rifler | December 2024 |
| esenthial | Dmytro Tsvir | Rifler | January 2024 |
| s1zzi | Daniil Vinnyk | AWPer | February 2026 |
The current captain of the B8 CS2 roster is Andrii “npl” Kukharskyi. The current coach of the B8 esports team is Dmitry “rjy” Chumak.
Key Roster Changes
In February 2026, B8 acquired s1zzi on loan from Team Spirit Academy Black. This came after headtr1ck was moved to inactivity and placed on the transfer list, with B8 confirming he remains under contract but is available for transfer.
The npl acquisition was particularly significant. B8 acquired npl from Natus Vincere on a permanent basis in August 2025, after initially bringing him in on loan in 2023.
Tournament Achievements & Results
B8’s trajectory has been impressive. Currently, B8 holds the 22nd position out of 336 teams in the rankings. Throughout their history, they have reached a peak ranking of 17th (December 31, 2025) and a low of 81st (July 24, 2024).
Major Appearances
The B8 CS2 team had their first-ever CS2 Major appearance by conquering the Austin Major 2025 Closed Qualifier. They rebounded from a 0–2 loss to win five straight best-of-three matches, showcasing impressive resilience and mental stamina.
Notable Tournament Results
CCT Season 2 European Series #18 (Feb 10 – Feb 23, 2025) – A-Tier, 1st place, Prize: $22,000. CCT Season 2 Global Finals (Apr 24 – Apr 27, 2025) – Bx2 World Tier, 2nd place, Prize: $35,000.
In recent tournaments, B8’s performance includes a 21st place finish at Intel Extreme Masters Kraków 2026 with $2,500 in prize money, 9th place at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 with $20,000, and 5th place at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 with $62,500.
B8 has achieved 9 first-place finishes, 7 second-place finishes, and 10 third-place finishes. Their highest achievement was 3rd place at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, earning $70,000.
Recent Match Results
At PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, B8 defeated HEROIC 2-0 but lost to FURIA 0-2. The team continues to show they can compete with top-tier opposition, making them a dangerous opponent in any tournament bracket.
B8’s Playstyle & Map Pool
B8 plays a disciplined, tactical style that maximizes their utility usage. The team excels at:
- Structured executes on T-side
- Strong retake setups on CT
- Coordinated trading in clutch situations
Their map pool typically includes Mirage, Inferno, and Anubis. If you want to improve your own gameplay on these maps, mastering CS2 practice commands can help you learn the same utility lineups pros use.
The Ukrainian Core Identity
This roster was known as one of the youngest professional CS:GO lineups in the region, with players averaging just 18 years old. That youth development philosophy continues today.
While lacking trophies early on, this roster laid the groundwork for B8’s ongoing CS2 project, helping the organization gain recognition in the Eastern European scene.
The commitment to Ukrainian talent sets B8 apart. Rather than importing established stars, they’ve built a competitive roster through smart scouting and player development.
Total Prize Earnings
B8’s total winnings stand at $449,346. B8 Esports Counter-Strike team has made $298,127 in prize money from CS2 tournaments specifically.
Since its first match on April 26, 2021, B8 has played approximately 478 matches, securing around 271 victories. B8 has participated in about 110 tournaments, receiving direct invites to 16 of them.
What’s Next for B8?
B8’s participation in upcoming events is a critical part of their 2025 competitive season strategy to enhance team cohesion, improve standings, and gain recognition as they push for elite status in CS2 esports. This is a chance for the roster to showcase their tactical growth and team synchronization, and qualify for future majors.
With a young, hungry roster and strong organizational backing, B8 is positioned to continue their upward trajectory. Keep an eye on their matches at upcoming events like PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 and beyond.
Conclusion
B8 represents everything exciting about CS2’s competitive scene—a young team with elite potential, backed by an organization with a clear vision. From Dendi’s founding vision to Major qualification, they’ve proven that smart roster building and player development can compete with bigger-budget teams.
Want to support your favorite teams with matching loadouts? Browse CS2 skins to find the perfect AK-47 or AWP skins that match B8’s blue and white colors.