MOUZ secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Esports World Cup 2026 following a grueling 2-1 victory over GamerLegion in the Round of 16. The series tested the endurance and coordination of the MOUZ squad, pushing them to their limits before finally closing out the match.
Following the series, Lotan “Spinx” Giladi addressed the challenges his team faced on the server and his expectations moving forward in the tournament.
It was a late game. It was a long game, so a bit tired right now, but satisfied,” Spinx said. “I’m happy we managed to get the win after all. That’s the most important. We really had to fight for it.
Closing out rounds on Ancient
The series reached a tense point on Ancient, where MOUZ held a comfortable 12-8 lead before GamerLegion began to close the gap. Instead of attributing the lost rounds to the recent roster adjustments, Spinx pointed to a lack of cohesion in specific, high-pressure situations.
I think the sync between us wasn’t the best at some moments,” Spinx explained. “I think we had a lot of rounds we should have won. We know where they are, we know what’s going on around the map. It should be an easy round, but they managed to suddenly get a kill.
When asked if these growing pains are standard for a newer lineup, Spinx rejected the premise. He emphasized that the focus should remain on real-time situational awareness and execution rather than using roster changes as an excuse.
I don’t think it’s normal because it’s a new team,” he stated. “You just in the moment need to understand what’s going on. We just have to be one or two percent better at some of the situations and maybe it’s a different game.
Evaluating individual form
Despite the close series, Spinx remains confident in his own individual performance and his current trajectory. He pushed back against the suggestion that his mechanical level has dropped in recent months.
I think since we came back for the season, I think I’m playing better,” Spinx said. “I’m helping my team in crucial moments and I’m happy about it. Of course, it can always be better. Step by step we are doing pretty good so far.
He also expressed support for his new teammates, noting that the primary goal right now is ensuring the entire roster feels comfortable and is positioned to succeed in their respective roles on the server.
Preparing for FUT in the quarter-finals
MOUZ will face FUT in the upcoming quarter-final match. This specific matchup carries extra weight for the team, as FUT has had the upper hand in their most recent encounters. Spinx is acutely aware of the challenge they pose and the stylistic differences they bring to the server.
I believe we lost to them two or three times now in a row and it’s also important games every time they beat us,” Spinx noted. “So yeah, I want to get a revenge. We need to come prepared for this game.
FUT is known for playing a faster, occasionally riskier brand of Counter-Strike, requiring MOUZ to be sharp in their anti-stratting and fundamental protocols.
I think if we play like we did today it will be hard, so we need to step up a bit,” Spinx concluded. “I trust us that we will get the job done.
