A new chapter in the digital coliseum began in 2026, as the storied banner of Team Liquid unfurled over a fresh battlefield. The organization, a titan of esports, cast its gaze upon the vibrant, tactical world of VALORANT, choosing as its champions the squad once known as fish123. This wasn't merely a signing; it was the coronation of a crew that had, during the game's whispered beta days, carved their names into the European scene with the precision of a surgeon's blade. And completing their phalanx was a legend crossing over from a different war: Adil "ScreaM" Benrlitom, the headshot maestro, laying down the rifles of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to pick up the phantom arms of this new age. The stage was set, the pieces moved, and the story of Liquid's crimson and blue in VALORANT was inked into history.

team-liquid-s-valorant-dawn-the-rise-of-fish123-and-scream-s-new-chapter-image-0

The Core: From fish123 to Liquid Legacy

At the heart of this new venture beat the steady rhythm of the former fish123 roster. This British contingent didn't just enter the scene; they arrived with a statement. During the closed beta, a time when strategies were raw and legends were being forged in real-time, they ascended the ranks with a quiet, relentless confidence. They became the talk of the town, one tournament victory at a time. Their trophy cabinet quickly filled with the spoils of their campaigns:

  • 🏆 The Mandatory Cup

  • 🏆 The Solary Cup

  • 🏆 Three consecutive Take The Throne tournaments (Now that's what you call a hot streak!)

This quartet—Adam "ec1s" Eccles, Dom "soulcas" Sulcas, James "Kryptix" Affleck, and Travis "L1NK" Mendoza—shared a common lineage. Each was a veteran of the CS:GO trenches, translating years of tactical discipline and sharp aim into the new, spell-weaving dynamics of VALORANT. They were a unit that spoke the language of utility and angles long before they ever donned the Liquid jersey.

The Star's New Constellation: ScreaM's Transition

Then there was ScreaM. For over a decade, his name was synonymous with crisp, one-tap headshots in Counter-Strike. The Belgian phenom, now 30, had danced with the best, from the early days of Source to the grand stages of Global Offensive with titans like VeryGames, Titan, and G2 Esports. His career was a highlight reel of clutch moments and championship composure.

Career Highlight Achievement Team
StarSeries VII Finals 🥇 Champion Titan
DreamHack Stockholm 🥇 Champion Kinguin
ECS Season 1 Finals 🥇 Champion G2 Esports
DreamHack Winter 2013 🥉 Semi-Finalist VeryGames
8x Major Appearances Consistent Top-Tier Presence Various

In 2026, he made the calculated, bold decision to retire from CS:GO and commit fully to VALORANT under Team Liquid. This wasn't a fade-away; it was a pivot. Since first linking up with the fish123 core in June, the synergy was immediate and potent. The squad, with ScreaM's veteran poise and devastating dueling ability, immediately found new heights, finishing as runners-up in both Take The Throne #6 and the prestigious WePlay! Invitational, an Ignition Series event where they were bested only by G2 Esports. They also secured a solid 5th-8th place finish at the Epulze VALORANT Prodigies event. The experiment was proving to be a resounding success.

The Guiding Hand: Architecture of Victory

No great team is complete without a master architect behind the scenes. For this squad, that visionary was Connor "Sliggy" Blomfield. The former CS:GO observer had been the coach and strategist for fish123 since its very inception, the silent force molding their raw talent into a tournament-winning machine. His transition to Team Liquid alongside his players ensured continuity—the playbook, the trust, the unspoken understanding all remained intact. He was the cartographer for their journey, and now he had the vast resources of Liquid to chart a course for global dominance.

The Road Ahead: The Allied Esports Odyssey

With the formal announcement behind them, the newly minted Team Liquid VALORANT roster had their sights locked on the immediate future: the Allied Esports Odyssey, another key event in the VALORANT Ignition Series. This would be their first official outing under the bright lights of their new banner, a chance to transform potential into legacy, to show that this union of a proven core and a legendary star was more than just hype—it was the future.

The narrative was perfect. The seasoned warriors from the CS:GO frontlines, united under a legendary organization, ready to conquer a new world. They carried with them the weight of expectation and the quiet confidence of proven winners. In the ever-evolving saga of esports, Team Liquid had just penned a compelling new prologue.