GIANTX has released Grzegorz “grubinho” Ryczko from its Valorant roster, dropping the Polish controller just as the organization needs to be gearing up for VCT 2026 Stage 2. The move leaves the EMEA squad with only three players on the active lineup.

The timing here is what makes this interesting. VCT Stage 2 is the next critical checkpoint for teams competing in the EMEA region, and GIANTX now has to fill not one but two roster spots before competition resumes.

What grubinho brought to GIANTX

Grubinho joined GIANTX in May 2025 and quickly became a core piece of the team’s competitive identity. The controller role in Valorant is, in simple terms, the player responsible for using smoke-based agents to block sightlines, control map space, and dictate the pace of rounds.

During his time with the organization, grubinho helped GIANTX secure a second-place finish in VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2. That’s not a minor result. The EMEA region is widely considered one of the most competitive Valorant circuits in the world, and finishing runner-up puts a team in rarified air.

No public statements have been issued by either grubinho or GIANTX explaining the reasoning behind the split. Grubinho spent roughly 13 to 14 months with the team.

A roster in transition

Here’s the thing about being down to three players on an active Valorant roster: you can’t play. Valorant is a five-player game. GIANTX doesn’t just need to find a replacement for grubinho. They need to find two players total, assuming no other moves have been made behind closed doors.

Finding a controller is particularly tricky. The role requires a specific skillset and game sense that doesn’t translate easily from other positions. GIANTX will need to find someone who can replicate or improve upon what grubinho brought, which, given the team’s second-place EMEA finish, is a high bar.

What this means for GIANTX’s competitive future

The absence of any replacement announcement alongside grubinho’s release is worth noting. Teams that have a plan typically move fast to control the narrative, announcing departures and arrivals in quick succession. The fact that GIANTX released a player without immediately presenting the next chapter suggests the org is either still in negotiations or genuinely in search mode.