When a Premier League footballer creates a CS2 team, you pay attention. Passion UA CS2 has become one of the most intriguing stories in competitive Counter-Strike, blending Ukrainian national pride with serious competitive ambition. Here’s everything you need to know about this rising organization.
Who Founded Passion UA?
Passion UA is a Ukrainian professional esports organization founded by Ukrainian professional footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko. Zinchenko launched the organization together with former NAVI coach Kane.
In 2022, amid the rising global interest in esports, Zinchenko ventured into a new arena by founding his own esports organization. The name reflects the founder’s philosophy: a commitment to excellence, a belief in the potential of young talent, and a drive to represent Ukraine on the global stage.
Zinchenko explained his motivation: “Passion UA emerged from my deep love for gaming and my desire to contribute to the growth of esports in my home country, Ukraine. I am dedicated to constructing a world-class esports organization that will stand alongside industry giants.”
Current Passion UA CS2 Roster
The active roster features a multinational lineup including JT (Johnny Theodosiou), Grim (Michael Wince), nicx (Nicholas Lee), Kvem (Vladyslav Korol), and newest additions try (Santino Rigal) and Senzu (Azbayar Munkhbold).
| Player | Real Name | Role |
| JT | Johnny Theodosiou | IGL |
| Grim | Michael Wince | Rifler |
| nicx | Nicholas Lee | Rifler |
| Kvem | Vladyslav Korol | Rifler |
| try | Santino Rigal | AWPer |
| Senzu | Azbayar Munkhbold | Rifler (Loan) |
In February 2026, Passion UA made a bold double-signing by bringing in Argentine sniper try and Mongolian star Senzu on loan to replace hallzerk. This transition follows a period of rebuilding after the original Ukrainian core, including Woro2k and DemQQ, departed the organization in late 2025.
Passion UA’s Journey in CS2
Since their debut on September 22, 2023, they have played 355 matches, securing approximately 194 victories. The team has evolved significantly since its founding.
The Original Roster
Passion UA was founded and entered Counter-Strike with a roster consisting of marat2k, jambo, jackasmo, zeRRoFIX, s-chilla, and kane as the team’s coach.
Kane’s experience played a significant role for Passion UA, a team with an average age of just 18, including two players who were only 16.
Major Achievements
The team has achieved 5 first-place finishes, 5 second-place finishes, and 8 third-place finishes in tournaments.
Their longest winning streak was 12 matches, from September 27, 2024, to October 6, 2024.
Key tournament results include:
- 5th place at BLAST Rivals Fall 2025, securing $25,000
- 1st place at Urban Riga Open #1 on September 30, 2025, earning $6,000
- 9th place at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, with $20,000 in prize money
The Shanghai Major Qualification
One of Passion UA’s defining moments came during the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 qualification.
Passion UA, ranked 49th globally by HLTV, earned their place at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 in Counter-Strike 2. Despite being underdogs, the team demonstrated remarkable determination during the European RMR B tournament. Their decisive best-of-five series against Astralis, the 10th-ranked team in the world, ended in a 3-2 victory.
After the historic qualification, Zinchenko shared his emotions: “We did it! Guys, you did it! I want to thank and congratulate every player, coach Mykhailo ‘Kane,’ and every staff member of the organization for making our dream come true. Because we are all Passion UA.”
Budapest Major 2025 Run
Passion UA took their chance at the Budapest Major. They demonstrated their ability not to crumble under the Major’s pressure and recover brilliantly. PUA lost an extremely close Map 1, and then they dominated the rest two. Passion UA advanced to Stage 3 of the CS2 Budapest Major 2025.
Zinchenko’s Hands-On Involvement
What makes Passion UA unique is Zinchenko’s personal involvement. He even stood in for his CS2 team Passion UA in a match against Bleed Esports at the Yalla Compass Spring 2024 Contenders online tournament, replacing one of the team members mid-series and playing for two maps.
The footballer finished the match with a Kill-Death ratio of 22-26. Although having a really low ADR of 44, he managed to have one of the best KAST numbers on the server, meaning he killed, assisted, survived or was traded in 76% of the rounds.
The Complexity Acquisition
In a major move, Passion UA confirmed the acquisition of Complexity’s Counter-Strike 2 roster, seeing the lineup move to their new home shortly after Complexity owner Jason Lake announced the organization’s departure from the game.
The move saw the former Complexity core reunite with former head coach Tiaan “T.c” Coertzen while Danny “Cxzi” Strzelczyk was replaced in the starting five by Ukrainian rifler Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol.
Current Rankings and Status
The team’s ranking has fluctuated, with a best of 15th and a worst of 66th. Currently, they are ranked 19th out of 340 teams.
Why Passion UA Matters
Passion UA represents more than just another CS2 roster. With a team composed of Ukrainian players, Zinchenko not only highlighted the nation’s gaming talent but also made a statement about his dedication to nurturing the next generation. Passion UA represents a blend of competitive ambition and a heartfelt connection to Ukraine’s cultural and sporting heritage.
The team faces challenges such as travel restrictions and logistical difficulties due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which limits their ability to attend LAN events. Despite these obstacles, they continue to compete at the highest levels.
Notable Former Players
Throughout their history, Passion UA has developed and featured talented players who have gone on to bigger opportunities:
- Notable players include fear, DemQQ, Topa, Woro2k, Kane, Burmylov, and Zinchenko himself.
- jackasmo was loaned to Fnatic
- DemQQ was acquired by Eternal Fire
Conclusion
Passion UA CS2 has grown from a passion project into a legitimate competitive force. With Major appearances, tournament victories, and a commitment to Ukrainian talent, this organization proves that esports dreams can become reality with the right backing and dedication.
Whether you’re a fan of underdog stories, Ukrainian esports, or just appreciate seeing professional athletes invest meaningfully in gaming, Passion UA is a team worth following. Check out cs2 skins to support your favorite teams with the perfect loadout, and explore our all tournaments page to track upcoming Passion UA matches.