The lower bracket final at IEM Kraków was a test of resilience, but MOUZ has passed it. With a decisive 2-0 victory over Falcons, MOUZ has eliminated the Saudi organization and punched their ticket to the Tauron Arena, where a high-stakes showdown against G2 awaits on Friday.
While the roster remains familiar, AWP’er Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás insists that the MOUZ entering the arena in 2026 is a fundamentally different beast than the one seen in previous seasons.
The “New” MOUZ
In a post-match interview with Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, torzsi addressed the narrative that has followed the team for the last year. Despite a remarkably consistent 2025 season where they reached nearly every playoff bracket, the squad only secured a single major trophy at PGL Cluj-Napoca almost exactly one year ago.
When asked if this year could finally bring the silverware the team deserves, torzsi offered a glimpse into the team’s evolution.
“I would say now we have a different MOUZ,” torzsi explained. “Even though we are the same players… at the same time we are different. We changed a lot of things in how we work and how we do stuff. And I think these small things change a lot… at this level.”
He emphasized that while their internal processes have evolved, the core chemistry remains: “We are still the MOUZ that trust each other… and have a really good spirit in the team.”
Overcoming the Mental Block
The series against Falcons required every bit of that new spirit. The match was characterized by tight margins and overtime chaos, forcing MOUZ to dig deep after a shaky start.
torzsi highlighted the performance of teammate Dorian “xertioN” Berman, who overcame a difficult beginning to the series to find high-impact moments when it mattered most. This ability to recover, winning rounds that MOUZ might have historically lost, was a key takeaway for the Hungarian sniper.
“In MOUZ, sometimes we feel like we are always losing those rounds where we shouldn’t,” torzsi admitted. “It’s really nice to see that we can also win those rounds where we should lose… our mentality was really on point today.”
The Silver Lining of the Lower Bracket
MOUZ entered the lower bracket following a tough loss to Aurora, a match torzsi frankly admitted they “didn’t show up at all” for. However, he views the arduous path through the lower bracket not as a punishment, but as necessary preparation for 2026.
“I think this lower bracket run will help us a lot because we didn’t play the first tournament of the year,” he noted, citing the value of gaining stage experience and securing crucial ranking points.
With the “new and improved” MOUZ now battle-tested and playoff-bound, all eyes turn to Friday. They will face G2 in the quarterfinals, eager to prove that their 2026 evolution can translate into a trophy lift.
You can see the interview in the video below.
Next Match: MOUZ vs. G2 Esports | IEM Kraków Quarterfinals | Friday
