eSports
CS:GO Update – BIG promote the first BIG OMEN Academy player to their main roster

Trialing a BIG OMEN Academy player for the first time, BIG would like to welcome Karim “Krimbo” Moussa to their main CS:GO team!
A household name in our BIG OMEN Academy project, Karim has shown excellence over multiple iterations of the team, most recently acting as the in-game leader and team captain. Under his lead, the BIG OMEN Academy finished in a strong second place in season three of the WePlay Academy League, and secured some notable scalps from international teams in various online leagues.
His fantastic development as a player over the years is one of the many reasons why he is the first BIG OMEN Academy talent to be trialed by the main roster, also marking an important milestone in BIG’s talent development efforts. In turn, Nils “k1to” Gruhne will be moving to the academy roster where he will try to prove himself and work on his comeback to the main roster.
Reworking the roster at the start of 2022 with increased resources, BIG’s academy project built together with OMEN will continue to be one of BIG’s most important projects. The aim of the initiative is to develop an in-house talent pool that guarantees the competitive longevity of BIG’s CS:GO department. The BIG OMEN Academy has already produced some of German Counter-Strike’s future stars, and is considered as one of the best German teams right after BIG’s main roster.
Statement Roman “Roman R.” Reinhardt, Head of CS:GO
“I am delighted to announce that Karim “Krimbo” Moussa is the first player to be trialed by the main CS:GO team from our BIG OMEN Academy project. Karim has shown his capacities in multiple iterations of the academy lineup, and has proved that he deserves the chance. The change means that Nils “k1to” Gruhne will move to the BIG OMEN Academy team for now and will support the further development of our talents there.
Statement Karim “Krimbo” Moussa
“I was very excited when I heard the team wanted to play the Major qualifiers with me, and now very happy that I am being trialed by the team. I have big shoes to fill, but I am confident especially after successfully qualifying for the EU RMR. Thank you for all of the support and of course best of luck to my BIG OMEN Academy teammates moving forward!”
Statement Alphan Özbaltaci, Gaming Marketing Manager DE,AT HP
“It is a pleasure to see a young talent from our BIG.OMEN Academy Team flourish to a pro esports player. I congratulate Karim “Krimbo” Moussa for his achievement and wish him a successful career with Team BIG.”
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eSports
Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens

The Global Esports Federation has launched its Innovation & Research Centre (IRC) in Athens, Greece, in collaboration with Socialinnov, a non-profit organisation dedicated to digital empowerment and social entrepreneurship.
The GEF Innovation & Research Centres are envisioned as collaborative spaces where technology, creativity and innovation converge to unlock human potential in the digital era. They will anchor forward-looking programmes that connect esports with education, wellness and opportunities in adjacent industries.
The Athens IRC anchors this global network, strengthening local ecosystems, enabling cooperation across regions and expanding opportunities in esports, gaming, technology and entertainment.
Thanos Karagrounas, GEF Chief Impact Officer, said: “The launch of our Innovation & Research Center in Athens is a milestone in the GEF’s journey to shape an inclusive and impactful future for esports. By combining Socialinnov’s deep expertise in digital empowerment with the GEF’s international network, we will unlock new opportunities for innovation, education, and investment – with people at the center of everything we do.”
“We are proud to partner with the Global Esports Federation to bring the GEF Innovation & Research Center to Athens. This collaboration reflects our mission to empower individuals and communities with the skills and tools needed to thrive in the digital age. Together, we will cultivate new pathways for youth, educators, and entrepreneurs to engage with technology, esports, and innovation on a global scale,” said Stella Psarrou, Director, Socialinnov.
Leveraging Greece’s growing digital ecosystem and Socialinnov’s expertise in education, youth empowerment and SME support, the Athens IRC will serve as a platform to develop strategies, programmes and investment opportunities focused on responsible gaming, holistic wellness and sustainable career pathways in esports and beyond.
The post Global Esports Federation Launches its Innovation & Research Centre in Athens appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders

The European Esports Federation (EEF) has strengthened its ties with the Paralympic leaders. On September 2, EEF Secretary General Łukasz Klimczyk and Board Member Karol Cagan, held a meeting with Mr. Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Mr. Tomas Varga, Executive Committee member at the European Paralympic Committee (EPC). The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Slovak Olympic Committee, following official celebration of 30th anniversary of the Slovak Paralympic Committee.
Discussions focused on exploring opportunities for closer cooperation between EEF, IPC and EPC, particularly in the areas of competition, prevention and educational initiatives. EEF remains committed to strengthening partnerships that support the values of inclusion, fair play and the development of parasport across Europe.
Importantly, esports offers unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities by removing many of the physical barriers present in traditional sports. With accessible technologies and adaptive solutions, esports can provide a level playing field where performance depends primarily on skill, strategy and teamwork.
The post EEF Strengthens Ties with Paralympic Leaders appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
Finland’s Esports Betting Gets a Lift Through Oddin.gg and Veikkaus Partnership

Oddin.gg, the leading B2B provider of esports betting solutions, is proud to announce a new partnership with Veikkaus, Finland’s state-owned betting operator. The agreement will see Oddin.gg’s technology and data powering Veikkaus’s growing esports offering—starting with a strong focus on Counter-Strike 2 (CS2).
Veikkaus has set ambitious goals for its esports portfolio, aiming to double related revenue within the next year. To support this growth, the operator is strengthening its focus on quality content, reliable infrastructure, and innovative engagement formats—all areas where Oddin.gg’s solutions will play a central role.
Veikkaus’s focus on CS2 made Oddin.gg a natural fit. Alongside traditional markets, Oddin.gg also brings exclusive CS2 Duels via its 24/7 Fast Betting Content offering, adding fresh engagement opportunities for bettors. This blend of data depth and product innovation supports Veikkaus’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class esports betting experience for its Finnish base.
Andreas Reimblad VP, Sports Betting at Veikkaus, commenting on the partnership said: “Esports have been an important part of Veikkaus’ portfolio for several years, but in recent years it has been challenging to deliver a truly competitive offering and experience. What we value most in Oddin.gg is their drive to continuously improve the product and customer experience, while already being in a leading position. Together, we can take esports betting at Veikkaus to the next level, and we are extremely excited to work together with Oddin.gg.”
Marek Suchar, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Oddin.gg added: “What makes this partnership exciting is the mindset Veikkaus brings. They’re serious about growing their esports offering and are already thinking beyond the basics—looking at things like local tournament data, new formats, and long-term product development. It’s the kind of collaboration where we can create something genuinely impactful—not just deliver and walk away.”
The post Finland’s Esports Betting Gets a Lift Through Oddin.gg and Veikkaus Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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