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ZywOo Wins Counter Strike Player of the Year at the HLTV Award Show
The HLTV Award Show, presented by 1xBet, has awarded Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut the coveted Player of the Year award for a record-breaking third time. ZywOo, along with Team Vitality, who also won the Team of the Year award, have been a force to be reckoned with in 2023, having won the last-ever CS:GO Major in Paris. The French player also took home more accolades than anyone else this evening, winning AWPer of the Year and Highlight of the Year in the Panel Awards.
The HLTV Award Show, the most prestigious awards show in Counter Strike, has seen some of the best talent in Counter Strike recognised for their fantastic contributions to the sport and the community. This included Nigma Galaxy winning Women’s Team of the Year, the ever-popular Nikola “NiKo” Kovač winning Opener of the Year, and Danny “zonic” Sørensen for Coach of the Year. Robin “ropz” Kool also achieved his highest HLTV ranking this year by placing in the top three, and also taking home the Closer of the Year Award.
On display at the award show was HLTV’s first ever photo exhibition, consisting of 75 photos spanning the entire history of Counter Strike, carefully selected by HLTV journalist and photographer, Lucas Aznar Miles.
The top 20 players from the past year were also gifted custom keycaps, so that players can take them away and actively play with a piece of CS history, and was also featured on HLTV’s Instagram page.
These awards stand as a beacon of recognition for the outstanding achievements and contributions within the competitive Counter-Strike community. Now closing off its third edition, the HLTV Award Show is a curated program that showcases the pinnacle of skill, dedication, and sportsmanship in the world of Counter-Strike.
The winners for the HLTV Awards in each category are as follows:
Player of the Year
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
Women’s Player of the Year
- Ana “ANa” Dumbravă
Team of the Year
- Team Vitality
Women’s Team of the Year
- Nigma Galaxy
Rookie of the Year
- Guy “NertZ” Iluz
The Panel Awards were voted on by community peers including five members of HLTV’s newsroom, ten on-air talent members, and 20 representatives from the best teams of 2023. The winners of the Panel Awards are as follows:
Highlight of the Year
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
Opener of the Year
- Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
Closer of the Year
- Robin “ropz” Kool
Anchor of the Year
- Emil “Magisk” Reif
AWPer of the Year
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
IGL of the Year
- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire
Coach of the Year
- Danny “zonic” Sørensen
The winners of the Community Awards voted on by members of the HLTV community are as follows:
Talent of the Year:
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
Event of the Year:
- BLAST.tv Paris Major
Creator of the Year:
- 3kliksphilip
Streamer of the Year:
- Ohnepixel
“This year’s awards were a fantastic celebration of excellence, and ZywOo is very deserving of the Player of the Year Award. His exceptional performance in 2023 has not only solidified his status as a standout player but will also make a lasting impact on the history of competitive Counter Strike. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees who have all contributed to the community and we look forward to welcoming them back next year, as we gear up for another year of memorable moments in Counter-Strike.” – Zvonimir Burazin, Head of Operations, HLTV
For more information and highlights from this year’s award show, check out the HLTV Award Show page.
Latest News
iGaming Wise Officially Rebrands to Wise Connections
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Following two years operating as iGaming Wise, and more than three years previously as Affluck, the company is entering a new chapter under its new name: Wise Connections.
The rebrand reflects the company’s continued evolution and its commitment to delivering clear value, stronger matchmaking, and more direct, effective connections for partners across the iGaming sector.
Wise Connections is built on a simple idea: quality beats quantity. Instead of pushing generic introductions or relying on outdated directories, the platform focuses on personal, vetted, and direct connections. Every introduction is made manually through trusted channels like Telegram, LinkedIn, or email, ensuring that both sides meet with full context, purpose, and confidence.
The core services remain the same: Marketing & PR, Consulting, Affiliate Management, but they are now tied together under a stronger single identity. And the biggest focus moving forward is the B2B Matchmaking, which has already proven to be one of the most effective ways to help operators, providers, affiliates, and service companies expand into the right markets.
Founder & CEO Gjorgje Ristikj describes the change as a natural step in the company’s growth: “We wanted a name that reflects what we really do. We connect companies with people who matter, and we do it the right way, personally, transparently, and with purpose.”
Wise Connections is not just a new name, it’s a clearer direction. A more structured approach. And a stronger commitment to building long-term partnerships that actually move businesses forward.
The post iGaming Wise Officially Rebrands to Wise Connections appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
BEGE Announces Dates for 2026 Edition: 25–26 November
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The Balkan Gaming and Entertainment Expo (BEGE) is excited to announce the official dates for its 2026 edition: 25–26 November 2026. Following another remarkable year, BEGE is already preparing an even bigger and more innovative event that will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts from across the region.
“BEGE 2025 was an outstanding success,” said Nino Berezhiani, Marketing Manager of BEGE. “The energy, innovation, and connections we saw over two days were truly inspiring. From the engaging conferences to the vibrant exhibition halls and the unforgettable BEGE Awards Night, it was incredible to witness our community come together to share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and drive the industry forward. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for BEGE 2026 – it’s going to be even bigger and bolder!”
BEGE 2026 promises two days filled with cutting-edge insights, networking opportunities, and top-tier conferences, continuing the tradition of delivering an unmatched platform for collaboration and growth in the gaming industry.
Organizers encourage participants, sponsors, and partners to save the dates and stay tuned for announcements regarding conference programs, speakers, and special highlights for the next edition.
The post BEGE Announces Dates for 2026 Edition: 25–26 November appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Evoplay appoints Vasilena Mantsiou as Chief Financial Officer
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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has promoted Vasilena Mantsiou to Chief Financial Officer (CFO), recognising her outstanding contribution to the company’s growth and operational excellence.
Vasilena joined Evoplay in May 2022 and was promoted to Head of Accounting Department in January 2024, where she played an instrumental role in strengthening the company’s financial processes and supporting its continued expansion across global markets.
As CFO, she will oversee Evoplay’s financial strategy, planning, and operations, ensuring the studio continues to deliver sustainable growth and stability as it scales its presence worldwide.
The appointment highlights Evoplay’s ongoing commitment to nurturing internal talent and promoting from within, ensuring a strong leadership team that reflects the company’s core values and ambition.
Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, said: “Vasilena has been an integral part of Evoplay’s journey, demonstrating exceptional leadership and deep financial expertise.
“Her promotion to CFO is a natural step forward, and we’re confident that her strategic vision will continue to support our long-term goals as we expand into new markets.”
Vasilena Mantsiou, CFO at Evoplay, said: “I’m incredibly proud to take on this new role and grateful for the trust placed in me by the Evoplay team.
“Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed the company’s remarkable growth and innovation, and I look forward to contributing further to its success in this new capacity.”
The post Evoplay appoints Vasilena Mantsiou as Chief Financial Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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