Popular Leagues

Other Leagues

Who is HUNDEN and what led to his CS:GO ban?

Learn about HUNDEN's playing and coaching career as well as the mistakes he made to receive a suspension.
Frenkie Tran
By: Frenkie Tran

After being unbanned from tournaments today that was hosted by members of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), Nicolai "HUNDEN" Petersen, one of the most contentious players in CS:GO esports, may be eligible for a new coaching position in 2023.

Prior to the release of CS:GO, the 31-year-illustrious old's career in the Danish Counter-Strike scene began in 2009. Even though he didn't get many trophies, he remains an important member of the community, particularly following the two bans he suffered.

This article will review all of HUNDEN's CS:GO accomplishments in case you are unaware of who he is or just forgot after all the time he spent on the sidelines.

Who is HUNDEN, a CS:GO player?

In addition to leading several Danish teams including Copenhagen Wolves, Tricked, SK Gaming, ALTERNATE aTTaX, and MAD Lions, HUNDEN began playing CS:GO professionally in 2012. He endured a lot of criticism during his career for not putting out his best personal effort, but in actuality, he helped many young Danes who eventually signed with more prestigious clubs.


Who is HUNDEN, a CS:GO player?

As a captain in CS:GO, HUNDEN performed at his best in 2019. He led Tricked to victory in the $330,000 LAN competition at the V4 Future Sports Festival in Budapest, which also included Virtus Pro, MOUZ, and MIBR. Along with GamerLegion's AWPer Fredrik "acoR" Gyldstrand, current Fnatic star Fredrik "roeJ" Jørgensen, current Heroic player Rasmus "sjuush" Beck, and former Astralis player Lucas "Bubzkji," that lineup also included GamerLegion's AWPer Fredrik "acoR" Gyldstrand.

This Tricked lineup was bought by MAD Lions in November 2019, however, HUNDEN was quickly dropped from the project. He was demoted to the sidelines in March 2020, and Heroic promoted him to head coach in April 2020.

Who is the CS:GO coach HUNDEN?

The coaching career of HUNDEN is off to a strong start. He assisted Heroic in achieving second at DreamHack Open Summer Online Europe in August 2020, and most famously, he defeated Vitality to win ESL One Cologne Online Europe later that month. Together with current Heroic members Johannes "b0RUP" Borup of the Copenhagen Flames and Nikolaj "niko" Kristensen of the OG, that Heroic lineup included cadiaN, TeSeS, and stavn.

Since he was one of the 37 coaches involved in the misuse of the infamous coach spectator bug, which enabled the coaches to set their cameras wherever on the map and potentially give that knowledge to the players, HUNDEN didn't get to experience much success until he rose to fame with Heroic. The 37 coaches will be excluded by ESIC in September 2020 from all ESIC-member events, including competitions run by ESL and BLAST.


Who is the CS:GO coach HUNDEN?

After helping with the inquiry, the Danish coach received an eight-month suspension. He had twice misused the coach spectator bug, according to ESIC. The first one took place at DreamHack Masters Spring Europe in May 2020 against Astralis, while the second one took place at Home Sweet Home Cup 5 in May 2020 against Team Spirit.

Heroic retained HUNDEN on staff as an analyst for the entirety of his initial suspension and let him resume his head coaching duties at the end of April 2021, immediately following the end of his ESIC suspension.

Why did CS:GO coach HUNDEN receive a second-time suspension?

Many were shocked when Heroic announced one day before the start of IEM Cologne in August 2021 that HUNDEN wouldn't be joining the squad for the renowned competition. One day after he was mentioned in connection with a transfer to Astralis as Zonic was considering leaving Astralis, he was removed from the roster for IEM Cologne 2021.

HUNDEN denied leaking Heroic's stratbook to another team before IEM Cologne 2021 began and claimed on July 28 that he had not extended his contract with Heroic after IEM Cologne 2021.

On July 29, 2021, Heroic and HUNDEN cut ties due to a "clear violation of the contract." He was dropped from the IEM Cologne 2021 roster, according to the organizers, because of "serious trust difficulties" and because he prevented the team from accessing their strategy folder. Heroic's research revealed that HUNDEN had, before the commencement of IEM Cologne 2021, shared the team's plan folder with a "big" rival. Heroic filed a lawsuit against HUNDEN in a Danish court and alerted ESL and ESIC about the problem.


Why did CS:GO coach HUNDEN receive a second-time suspension?

ESIC banned HUNDEN for a second time a month after Heroic and HUNDEN split. The esports watchdog conducted its own investigation into the situation, which included looking through Google Drive access logs, speaking with Heroic and the rival team, and paying a forensic expert company to generate a report.

According to ESIC's findings, HUNDEN was negotiating a transfer to the rival club to which he disclosed Heroic's data while keeping the identity of that team a secret. Due to the HLTV article from July 2021, it was assumed the team was Astralis; however, Astralis declined to comment on whether it was in contact with HUNDEN or when Dot Esports contacted it.

The information HUNDEN released was never used by the adversary, according to ESIC. However, ESIC came to the following conclusion since he attempted to divulge private knowledge from Heroic's stratbook to a rival while under contract with Heroic at the time:

  1. "Created a danger to an ESIC member event's integrity (regardless of whether or not such threat materialized);
  2. Created a risk to a member of the ESIC's reputation (regardless of whether or not that risk materialized), and in doing so
  3. Threatened to do harm to ESL, a member of the ESIC, and the esports industry's image and sense of fair play.

HUNDEN announced his permanent departure from Counter-Strike in an interview with TV2 on August 26, 2021, the day before ESIC banned him on August 27, 2021. HUNDEN also asserted, though he did not identify them, that other Heroic players were aware of his exploitation of the coach spectator bug in 2020. At the time of the coach spectator bug episode, the Heroic players were cadiaN, TeSeS, stavn, niko, and b0RUP. Heroic refuted the charges.

After conducting an investigation, ESIC issued a warning to niko and placed him on probation for six months after niko acknowledged to "complicity in the cheating adventures" of HUNDEN. There was insufficient proof, according to ESIC, that cadiaN, TeSeS, stavn, and b0RUP also knew. According to the ADHD and Asperger's Team at the National Autistic Society and the ADHD Foundation, ESIC mentioned in its report that niko has ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome, which impairs a person's capacity to determine right from wrong.

What did HUNDEN do following his second ESIC suspension?

Everyone assumed that HUNDEN had left CS:GO after his two-year suspension in August 2021, however a report by Dexerto said that HUNDEN was allegedly teaching and providing analysis to the Astralis players.

According to one of Dexerto's sources, HUNDEN collaborated with Astralis to develop tools and video tutorials for Astralis' collaboration with Aim Lab. Astralis acknowledged that HUNDEN participated in the initiative, but they refuted any claims that he continued to assist the team in any coaching or analytical capacities.

On December 2, 2022, ESIC removes HUNDEN's embargo

In an unexpected change of events, ESIC announced in a press statement on December 2 that HUNDEN was free to coach in ESIC-member tournaments once again after the two parties came to an agreement on Nov. 29. He completed barely eight months of the initial two-year suspension.


On December 2, 2022, ESIC removes HUNDEN's embargo

ESIC said that the Danish coach had consented to get "necessary training," but provided little to no justification for HUNDEN's early unbanning. In order to make sure they are "compatible with acceptable industry practice and appropriate for the purpose," ESIC will also evaluate its rules and procedures.

HUNDEN issued a brief statement of his own in which he expressed gratitude to the Howard Kennedy LLP legal team for assisting him at a time he called "extremely stressful." Further remarks won't be made because matters have been resolved in accordance with the joint statement that was agreed upon, according to HUNDEN.

HUNDEN gets appointed by Astralis as their chief CS:GO analyst for 2023

Astralis declared that HUNDEN has officially taken over for veteran analyst Frederik "LOMME" Nielsen as of January 5. HUNDEN will now officially rejoin the CS:GO esports scene after being unbanned by ESIC in December 2022.


HUNDEN gets appointed by Astralis as their chief CS:GO analyst for 2023

HUNDEN told the official Astralis website, "It has been a lengthy process, and there have been many things we've had to talk about with my job and all I've gone through. "At this point, I'm simply relieved that everything is in place, and I can already sense how much it means to me to be operational and to have brilliant individuals nearby who believe in and support me."

Click star to rate
5 (2 rating)
Frenkie Tran
Written by: Frenkie Tran
My football predictions cover a variety of competitions and tournaments. In addition to English and European football, football predictions also include tips on games taking place in the USA, Australia, Africa, South America and beyond, from famous leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga to popular national leagues such as Croatian First League and Portugal Primeira.

Related Content

Wedding Gamers: Chinese Couple Breaks Tradition, Transforming Nuptials into an Esports Contest between Bride and Groom
Wedding Gamers: Chinese Couple Breaks Tradition, Transforming Nuptials into an Esports Contest between Bride and Groom
Couple Relives Gaming Memories from Early Relationship as Bride Triumphs in Nuptial Esports Contest, Defeating Groom's Entire Wedding Party
Optimal Custom Tactics and Formations for Best EA FC 24 Clubs
Optimal Custom Tactics and Formations for Best EA FC 24 Clubs
Clubs offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy EA FC 24 with friends, providing a mode where players can unite and create their own clubs to compete online. While this mode guarantees an abundance of enjoyment, for those seeking a competitive advantage, here are the top EA FC 24 Clubs custom tactics and formations that can enhance your gameplay.
Expert from EA FC 24 unveils straightforward technique to 'master' the game
Expert from EA FC 24 unveils straightforward technique to 'master' the game
Expert and content creator from EA FC 24 discloses the essential factor players must master in Ultimate Team to attain match domination and secure victories.
What Esports might anticipate in 2023?
What Esports might anticipate in 2023?
Esports, in its most basic form, has been there since the 1970s, but it hasn't been until the past ten years that it has developed into a legitimate industry.
Sigma Olomouc vs Pardubice Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 03/30/2024
Sigma Olomouc vs Pardubice Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 03/30/2024
[Czech Republic First League Prediction] Who will reign supreme in the Sigma Olomouc vs Pardubice showdown? Our prediction analysts provide betting tips and current odds for this highly anticipated match.