MOUZ have earned a place in the ESL Pro League Season 21 semi-finals after a tense victory over G2, overcoming a late-game scare on the deciding map. Despite establishing an early lead on Ancient, MOUZ found themselves trailing 9-11 before regaining control in the final rounds to close out the series.
With this win, the team led by Ludvig Brolin will now face Spirit in the semi-finals, marking the first time the two sides have met since the Swedish player assumed the role of in-game leader for MOUZ. Their upcoming clash is set to be a defining moment in the tournament, especially given Spirit’s recent struggles on key maps.
G2’s performance in the quarter-finals followed a familiar pattern, showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately falling short. During the first map, Inferno, they pulled off two crucial 1v3 clutch victories thanks to Ilya Osipov and Nikita Martynenko, but their late-round executions proved costly. A recurring issue throughout the half saw them repeatedly run out of time, failing to capitalize on otherwise promising situations.
One of G2’s key players had a particularly challenging time on the T side, but just when his team needed him the most, he stepped up. A critical play with a submachine gun helped kickstart their comeback from a five-round deficit, and his impact continued as he dominated key long-range duels to help G2 secure a narrow 13-11 win on Inferno.
The second map, Nuke, played out in a completely different manner. MOUZ displayed complete dominance, never allowing G2 to gain momentum. The result was a one-sided affair that sent the match to a deciding third map—Ancient.
Ancient proved to be the most intense battle of the series. MOUZ initially looked in full control with an 8-1 lead, but G2 once again demonstrated their ability to make life difficult for their opponents. A series of clutch plays, including a remarkable one-versus-three and a critical two-versus-four, shifted the momentum in G2’s favor. Suddenly, they found themselves in the lead, applying immense pressure on MOUZ to find an answer.
When the score reached 11-11, chaos took over. A crucial round forced G2 into an awkward economic decision, resulting in a risky rush toward the B site. The attempt nearly succeeded, but MOUZ held firm and punished G2’s forced buy in the final round to secure their victory and advance to the semi-finals.
MOUZ’s recent resurgence on Nuke has been a key factor in their success. At the start of the year, their confidence on the map seemed shaky, but since their grand final appearance at PGL Cluj-Napoca, it has become one of their strongest battlegrounds. With five consecutive victories on Nuke, the team has re-established itself as a formidable force on the map, and that could play a vital role in their upcoming match against Spirit.
The Russian squad struggled to convert their own Nuke performance earlier in the day against Eternal Fire, leaving questions about their form heading into the semi-finals. MOUZ’s players expressed confidence in their chances, believing that Spirit had shown vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
With this victory, MOUZ have set themselves up for a deep run at ESL Pro League, while G2 are left reflecting on yet another missed opportunity. The semi-final matchup against Spirit promises to be an exciting battle, with MOUZ aiming to continue their upward trajectory in the tournament.
