Tricked Esport vs Ex-RUBY on 13 May
The European Counter-Strike scene is a relentless grind. Just when you think you have the pecking order figured out, the underdogs bite back. As we approach the NODWIN Clutch Series 8 on May 13th, we are staring down a fascinating clash of momentum versus pedigree. At 19:00 CET, the Danish mechanical powerhouse Tricked Esport will take on the slumping yet dangerous CIS mix Ex-RUBY in a Best of 3 that carries serious implications for the tournament’s lower bracket.
The stakes are razor-sharp. For Tricked, currently sitting at a respectable #47 in the global rankings, this is a chance to prove that their recent structural changes are finally paying off. For Ex-RUBY, ranked #115 and playing under emergency conditions, it is survival — a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding against a tactically superior opponent. The atmosphere is stormy; expect high tension and potential communication breakdowns given Ex-RUBY’s recent instability.
Tricked Esport: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Tricked has historically been a training ground for future stars, but this current iteration finds itself in a bit of a no-man's-land. Their recent form is patchy at best — winning only two of their last five outings. Over the past three months, Tricked has shown a concerning vulnerability when closing out maps. They win 2–0 in only 40% of their victories. Critically, when they lose, they get stomped: 30% of their losses are 0–2 blowouts. This suggests a fragile mental game. When the tactics fail, the structure collapses.
Tactically, head coach Faraz "Faraz" Rahgozar relies on a default-heavy, protocol-driven style. His team doesn't take unnecessary risks in the mid-round. Watch for their emphasis on utility damage. Jamie "leakz" Jensen is the silent anchor here. With a 1.31 rating in recent events and monster stats — including 43 kills in one recent map against Ex-RUBY — he is the entry fragger who dictates space. The player to watch, however, is Nicky "NickyB" Bruhn. He is the team’s surgical "clutch minister," boasting a 1.30 rating over the last three months. When Tricked’s default breaks down, NickyB is the bailout.
Their map pool is a weakness. They heavily favor Overpass (73% win rate) as their go-to pick. However, they are abysmal on Dust2, banning it 94% of the time. If Ex-RUBY forces a Dust2 decider, Tricked is cooked. Expect Tricked to use their veto to steer the game into a slow, methodical half on Mirage or Ancient, where disciplined crossfires can suffocate a less organized opponent.
Ex-RUBY: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Chaos is a ladder, but right now Ex-RUBY is slipping on the rungs. On paper, they have won four of their last five matches. Do not let that fool you. The eye test tells a different story. The roster is in shambles heading into this critical match. Key player Kaide is absent, forcing the team to rely on stand-ins robo and relaxxie. This is catastrophic for a squad that depends on individual heroics rather than system play.
Ex-RUBY plays high-risk, high-reward Counter-Strike, often relying on raw aim duels. Their recent match history shows a reliance on Mirage (61% win rate) and Nuke (currently on a four-map winning streak there). Vladislav "H4SAN4TOR" Tuchin and Maksim "sh1nejezzz" Vinogradov are the remaining firepower. If these two go cold, the stand-ins lack the ability to pick up the slack.
Their style is aggressive but predictable. They love the AWP, but with their IGL out, rotations will likely be sluggish. The data shows that while they win rounds, they give up massive multi-kill rounds. In their losses, they average losing rounds by a wide margin. Their psychological state is fragile. A 1–5 deficit on their T-side could trigger a full collapse.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
History favors the Danes. These two squads have met once recently, on April 8th during the CCT Season 3 European Series, where Tricked dismantled Ex-RUBY 2–0. That match wasn't just a win; it was a statement of tactical superiority. leakz went nuclear with a +31 kill-death differential, essentially ending the game single-handedly.
Psychologically, Ex-RUBY enters this match scarred. Knowing that your opponent dismantled you just weeks ago, combined with the fact that you are now playing with inferior stand-ins, creates a massive mental block. Tricked knows this. Expect them to come out aggressive in the pistol rounds — an area where they historically excel — to immediately crush Ex-RUBY's spirit and force them into save rounds.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The duel: leakz (Tricked) vs. H4SAN4TOR (Ex-RUBY)
This is the battle for middle control, likely on Mirage or Ancient. leakz is the aggressor with the highest ADR on his team. If he consistently trades his life for the enemy AWPer or wins the opening duel, Ex-RUBY’s defense shatters. Conversely, if H4SAN4TOR holds the angle and picks leakz, Tricked’s timid nature might see them freeze.
The critical zone: Banana/B (Inferno) or Ramp (Nuke)
Given the map veto, we are likely heading to either Inferno or Nuke. Tricked must force Inferno. Ex-RUBY bans Inferno 89% of the time. If they are forced to play it, their lack of coordination in close-quarter chokepoints will be exposed. For Ex-RUBY to win, they need Nuke, where their chaotic "rush" style actually works against structured teams due to vertical audio and multiple entry paths.
The utility war
Tricked wins in the server, but they win decisively on the spreadsheet. Their average damage per round (ADR) in victories is efficient. Ex-RUBY’s stand-ins often have low ADR — robo sits at a 1.04 rating, often below 70 ADR. Tricked will exploit this by forcing the stand-ins into awkward 1v1 trades using pop-flashes and molotovs.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Expect a slow burn. Tricked will not try to out-aim Ex-RUBY; they will out-think them. The first map will be close until the seventh or eighth round, where Ex-RUBY’s lack of a proper IGL leads to a failed execute, giving Tricked a three-round lead they won't relinquish.
Ex-RUBY might steal a map if they get Nuke and sh1nejezzz hits a hot streak (over 1.22 rating), but that is unsustainable over a full series. The stand-in factor is lethal here. By the third map, Ex-RUBY’s communication will degrade into Russian frustration, while Tricked remains clinical.
The prediction: This is a match defined by tactical discipline over raw aim.
Winner: Tricked Esport (2–0).
Total maps: Under 2.5.
Key stat: Tricked to win at least one map by a margin of four or more rounds. Ex-RUBY to lose at least five 2v4 or 3v5 conversion opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Tricked is not the most exciting team to watch — they are methodical, perhaps too slow at times. But Ex-RUBY right now is a broken car held together with duct tape and Russian spite. The return of the NODWIN Clutch Series on May 13th poses a single sharp question: Can Ex-RUBY’s individual ego survive the systematic dismantling about to be delivered by leakz and NickyB, or will this be the match that sends the CIS roster back to the drawing board? My money is on the Danish system. It’s not flashy, but it wins tournaments.
