flamie explains decision to skip WESG Finals

Natus Vincere member Egor "flamie" Vasilyev has explained why he will not attend the upcoming WESG Finals with Team Russia.

The 20-year-old has posted a message on social network VK.com stating that he has elected not to play at the Chinese event due to "many personal issues".

It is the same explanation provided initially by his Na`Vi teammate Oleksandr "⁠s1mple⁠" Kostyliev, who added in a statement released earlier on Saturday that he needs to rest as he feels "exhausted" after the recent weeks of practice.

flamie cites personal reasons to skip the WESG event

Russia captain Denis "⁠seized⁠" Kostin had made no secret that he was shocked by his teammate's last-minute decision, but Egor "⁠flamie⁠" Vasilyev insists that competing at the event would be "a total failure" - and has offered to pay for his replacement's flights.

"There are many personal issues behind this," he wrote. "The team has time to find a replacement, and it is possible to get a visa upon arrival, so any Russian player can go.

"I am even ready to pay the flight tickets if the organisation refuses to do so. I am sorry, but considering the current state it would be a total failure to play this tournament. I hope that hooch (or the stand-in) will be able to go and play well.

"I do not ask for your support, everything will be okay, it is not the end of the world. This break will be vital for future results."

Russia have not yet announced whether Dmitry "⁠hooch⁠" Bogdanov - who had stepped down as coach on Friday due to family reasons - will be able to make it to the event or they will have to field coach Vadim "⁠MSE⁠" Zimin as their fifth player. seized's men have been drawn in Group D for the Chinese event, which begins on Tuesday, alongside SK, BIG and New4.

Russia New4 #112 Nan 'Jewelry' WangFei 'jackhan' HanYang 'Mr.six' ChengZhiTao 'Drea3er' ZhangZhiWei '0i' Liu Dmitry 'hooch' Bogdanov Age: 30 Team: EPG Rating 1.0: 0.91 Maps played: 674 KPR: 0.63 DPR: 0.69 Denis 'seized' Kostin Age: 23 Team: Gambit Rating 1.0: 1.00 Maps played: 1064 KPR: 0.68 DPR: 0.67 SK #2 Gabriel 'FalleN' ToledoFernando 'fer' AlvarengaRicardo 'boltz' PrassMarcelo 'coldzera' DavidEpitacio 'TACO' de Melo BIG #24 Fatih 'gob b' DayikJohannes 'tabseN' WodarzTizian 'tiziaN' FeldbuschJohannes 'nex' MagetNiels 'luckeRRR' Jasiek Egor 'flamie' Vasilyev Age: 20 Team: Natus Vincere Rating 1.0: 1.06 Maps played: 925 KPR: 0.74 DPR: 0.68 Vadim 'MSE' Zimin Age: 31 Team: No team Rating 1.0: 0.81 Maps played: 54 KPR: 0.59 DPR: 0.76 Oleksandr 's1mple' Kostyliev Age: 20 Team: Natus Vincere Rating 1.0: 1.20 Maps played: 758 KPR: 0.85 DPR: 0.68