Iberian Soul Faces Uncertainty After Gentle Mates Departure

Iberian Soul concluded the first day of the Esports World Cup qualifiers on a high note, securing a 2-0 victory over FKOMAR without dropping a round. This followed a tough start where they lost their opening match to 6666.

However, the team's morale has been shaken by the recent announcement from Gentle Mates, who confirmed their exit from Counter-Strike after a year-long partnership. Captain Alejandro "alex" Masanet acknowledged the difficulties the team faces in maintaining focus and motivation amid this transition.

In a post-match interview, alex expressed gratitude towards Gentle Mates for their time together but noted the mental strain on the players. He indicated that the absence of an organization has made it challenging to prepare for events, as they now have to self-fund their participation.

With the departure of key player Antonio "MartinezSa" Martinez, the team is exploring international options to fill the gaps in their roster. Alex pointed out that the scarcity of skilled AWPers in Spain complicates their search for replacements, as top players like SunPayus and Martinez are already committed to other teams.

Currently, the team is playing with CRUC1AL as their fifth member, while djL serves as coach. Alex confirmed that this event would likely be CRUC1AL's last with the team as they reassess their lineup and seek to improve their cohesion. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful about finding a new organization soon.