Twistzz Ranked 11th in HLTV’s Top 20 Players of 2025

Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken once again confirmed his status as one of the most consistent players on the global Counter-Strike scene. Despite a difficult and controversial 2025 season that passed without major titles, the Canadian managed to enter the prestigious HLTV Top 20 Players of the Year ranking, finishing in 11th place. For Twistzz, this is yet another recognition of his individual level amid team struggles, as even in a year of unstable results he remained a key figure for his teams and consistently delivered high impact against the strongest opponents.

Why Twistzz Made the HLTV Top 20 in 2025

The last time Twistzz appeared in the HLTV ranking was in 2023, when he placed 20th while playing for FaZe Clan. In December 2023, he left FaZe and joined Team Liquid. Since then, he has been unable to secure major trophies. The year 2025 was no exception: Team Liquid failed to win any prestigious tournaments and at times even suffered losses to tier-two teams.

The real breakthrough came with Twistzz’s return to FaZe in September of this year. With his new team, he took part in StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where he finished the tournament with a 1.20 rating. Together with FaZe, he made a sensational run to the grand final, where they eventually lost 1–3.

Twistzz 2025 Performance Summary

Despite a challenging year, the young Canadian played 182 maps in 2025. In terms of individual form, Twistzz, despite a trophyless season, consistently remained a player who delivered maximum impact in-game. His statistics for the year were impressive: 80.1 ADR, 75.3% KAST, and a 1.16 rating.

His individual rating against top-5 and top-10 teams throughout the year was identical at 1.15. These numbers once again prove that despite his team’s inconsistency, Twistzz maintained a high individual level.

Twistzz’s Bold Prediction

In his Bold Prediction segment, Twistzz, like mezii, chose Alex “poiii” Nyholm Sundgren. The Canadian highlighted poiii’s confidence in key rounds, consistent aim, and ability to stay calm under pressure. Twistzz emphasized his mature decision-making and readiness to adapt quickly to new demands, noting that with the right team structure and regular practice, poiii has all the prerequisites for a major breakthrough in the near future.