A pixel-perfect Spinx and an unbothered xelex tore through Vitality with a stand-in over two maps.
xelex keeps Vitality in check on Dust2
The new-look MOUZ couldn’t have started stronger on Vitality’s pick of Dust2, winning the opening four rounds with Adrian ‘xelex’ Vincze going off. The recent upgrade has been unstoppable in Porto, averaging a 1.37 rating before the start of this match.
However, Vitality quickly got back to their winning ways by streaking four rounds themselves. At a 4-4 scoreline, MOUZ found the right solution after the timeout, stuffing Vitality’s attacks.
MOUZ went flawless from there, winning the CT-side of Dust2 8-4 with xelex averaging a 2.00 K/D ratio and 14 kills.
ZywOo shows up on the CT-side and Vitality take a lead
Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut had a quiet first half, but came in determined to turn the map in the second half.
He quickly turned qround his poor game and started to take over, including a 3k with the AWP having his way with MOUZ, tying the map.
It wasn’t long before Vitality got rolling and took the lead at 10-8 on Dust2, looking to close out their map pick after a 4-8 deficit.
MOUZ wins the tug of war
MOUZ came back into Dust2, in spite of facing down an in-form ZywOo, their usual kryptonite. A force buy onto the B-site bore fruit for MOUZ, with xelex qnd Lotan ‘Spinx’ Giladi locking it down.
The game was in favor of Vitality at a 11-10 scoreline, but MOUZ didn’t let up. The critical round 22 went in favor of MOUZ with Spinx and xelex finding critical clawback kills, and the latter winning a 1v1 clutch.
The next two rounds, MOUZ looked fully in control, unrecognizable against Vitality.
MOUZ’s T-side Mirage grinds out a winning half
MOUZ’s map pick of Mirage had the potential to go south, as Vitality took the pistol and the opening rounds.
It could have gotten out of control, but a timeout from Denis ‘sycrone’ Nielsen allowed MOUZ to grind out a round on A-site, despite Robin ‘ropz’ Kool’s attempt at a ninja defuse.
Then, Spinx had a monster round, finding pixel perfect headshots to delete Vitality, and take economic control.
From there, MOUZ had their way. Both xelex and Spinx continued to wreak havoc, with the latter finding timings in Palace to take out Vitality’s rotators.
MOUZ found another winning half, 7-5 this time against their kryptonite.
MOUZ mount a winning defense
MOUZ came through with a pistol round win, with xelex cruising to two clean headshots to win the round. Then, MOUZ looked fully in control, putting Vitality on the ropes.
Vitality managed to come through with a round, but immediately lost the next and were down 6-10. A 1v1 clutch from ZywOo to the bomb timer gave Vitality a chance.
However, Vitality met with disaster, and his name was Spinx. They ran into his site against an eco, and he mowed three down with the sole rifle on the MOUZ side.
MOUZ won the series with ease from there, setting up their second grand final against Spirit this year.
The two tournament winners of the season clash in the final
After winning the match, xelex was asked about the prospect of a final against Spirit.
If we can beat [Spirit] once, and we can beat Falcons and Vitality then why not?
MOUZ defeated Spirit in the grand final of the BLAST Bounty 3-1, a studio event to open up the season. However, Spirit won the Esports World Cup, facing FUT in the final.
Spinx: “We have great synergy even with the new guys”
For MOUZ, Spinx was a critical piece in their BLAST Bounty win, winning the MVP award. Against Vitality, he had a 1.61 rating, swinging the match in favor of MOUZ by 7% with each kill he got.
According to Spinx, MOUZ’s internal dynamic is much improved.
Us all as a unit we have great communication between us. We have great synergy even with the new guys. In and out of the game we’re having fun.
apEX: “jL did what he could. He was playing in roles that are not his”
Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire said that he was proud of Vitality’s run without one of their starting five but was left underwhelmed by their preformance.
ZywOo played well, ropz had his moments, but the rest of us were a bit underwhelming.
Attributing the loss to miscommunications, small details and lack of teamplay, apEX praised Justinas ‘jL’ Lekavicius’s performance, despite logging a 0.59 rating in this match.
jL did what he could. He was playing in roles that are not his.
Vitality’s captain highlighted the importance of the upcoming two tournaments, the last two with their full lineup before he goes on paternity leave.
