Twitch’s Shooter God Explains Why Europeans Are Better At Counter-Strike Than Americans

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In the realm of competitive gaming, a longstanding discussion often arises regarding which region holds the upper hand: North America or Europe?

Regarding Counter-Strike, it’s no secret that Michael “shroud” Grzesiek, a renowned ex-pro player and Twitch sensation, firmly believes that Europe holds the throne.

From NA Star to Streaming Sensation

Initially gaining recognition for his exceptional marksmanship and adaptability across shooter games, Shroud originally rose to fame playing for Cloud9 within Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Despite achieving regional victories in North America, his team often faced challenges against the formidable European teams that dominated the scene.

Currently a dedicated live-streamer boasting more than 11 million followers on Twitch, Shroud reminisced about his days in professional Counter-Strike and candidly acknowledged that the North American (NA) scene lagged behind Europe (EU).

In a recent Twitch broadcast, shroud shared thoughts about Cloud9’s past performance as part of their team.

„We were kind of the best NA team, so we won all the NA stuff. Then we went to Europe, and we were just okay.“

While that might sound disappointing, he immediately clarified:

„Being okay in Europe was still respectable, because Europe in Counter-Strike is insane.“

This candid perspective sheds light on a well-established fact within the Computer Science sphere – for quite some time, Europe has shown superiority over North America in areas such as skill, strategic thinking, and reliability.

Cloud9 Won a Major – Right After Shroud Was Benched

Interestingly, it was six months following shroud’s benching that Cloud9 managed to secure North America’s most significant CS achievement – winning the ELEAGUE Major 2018 in Boston. This triumph marked the sole Major victory ever achieved by a North American team.

Coincidence? Maybe not.

Some humorously speculate that Cloud9 achieved their greatest success while shroud was not part of the initial lineup, prompting debate about whether his presence may have impeded them. Although it’s hard for his avid fans to accept, it’s true that Cloud9 reached their zenith only after he departed.

NA CS Has Become A Meme

Over time, the Counter-Strike scene in North America has gained a reputation for being the subject of humor on a global scale. One frequently used joke is the term “NA’s Infamous Smoke Mishap, which is uttered when a player throws a smoke grenade terribly.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice how this joke so aptly highlights the stark contrast between North American (NA) and European (EU) teams. While EU squads are frequently lauded for their strategic finesse, it seems NA teams often face criticism for their untidy blunders.

I’ve got to say, it’s quite astonishing – in the heated competition for the CS2 Major in Austin qualification, Brazilian teams are leaving most North American squads in the dust, with just Team Liquid managing to hold their ground. Here’s an interesting twist: despite being a North American organization by name, Team Liquid doesn’t even have an American player on their roster! Their team is made up of two Canadians, an Australian, an Israeli, and a Pole – so in essence, they’re more of a global team than a traditional North American one.

Twistzz: The NA Player Who Had To Join EU To Win

In today’s scene, top-tier North American esports athletes often find it necessary to join European teams in order to claim championship titles. A notable instance is the player Russell “Twistzz” Van Dulken.

Having come to understand the constraints of the North American scene, Twistzz made the move to join the powerhouse European team, FaZe Clan, in 2021. A year down the line, he bagged his first and only Major title at the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 – an accomplishment that might not have been possible if he had remained with a North American squad. However, following his return to Liquid, neither Twistzz nor the team have tasted victory as yet!

Shroud Has Lost Credibility Among CS Fans

As a longtime admirer, it’s been disheartening to see Shroud’s reputation taking a hit within the Counter-Strike community lately. One of the most contentious issues arose when he seemingly overlooked the excitement surrounding the return of the cherished map Cache in Counter-Strike 2.

Although his name graces a prominent spot on Cache, Shroud appeared entirely uninterested. What was his response?

„What? Cache is out in CS2? Nobody cares! Wow!“

Over time, his decreased passion for a game he previously excelled at significantly, has left longtime supporters disgruntled, as they believe he has grown distant from the competitive CS scene. Despite still being among the most watched shooter streamers globally, his impact within the Counter-Strike community is now questionable.

Shroud’s thoughts on Cache release for CS2

— NarT (@NartOutHere) March 4, 2025

Shroud’s Take Is Brutal – But He’s Right

Despite the memes, the stats, and the jokes about NA CS, one thing is clear – shroud isn’t wrong.

In the evolving landscape of CS2, Europe continues to maintain its dominance, and the disparity between regions is not narrowing; instead, it appears to be expanding.

It’s more and more apparent that, when it comes to winning at Counter-Strike, North America may not be the ideal region due to the underperformance of local teams and top players migrating to European lineups.

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2025-03-20 19:40