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In a remarkable display of skill and strategy, MOUZ, featuring one of the youngest rosters in professional Counter-Strike, emerged victorious in the ESL Pro League Season 18 grand finals, defeating NAVI with a perfect 3-0 score line.
Their journey to this triumphant moment was nothing short of impressive, as they overcame a challenging line up of opponents, including FURIA, FaZe Clan, G2, and ENCE.
This image will go down in history.
The last CS:GO LAN CHAMPIONS 🏆@mousesports 🐭@torzsics @siuhycs @jimpphatCSGO @FROZENNcs @xertioNNCSGO@sycronecs #ESLProLeague ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xkyAYIeuX8
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) October 1, 2023
The young in-game leader, Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek, who had previously guided GamerLegion to the grand finals of the BLAST Paris Major, played a pivotal role in MOUZ’s success.
His aggressive play calling style blended seamlessly with the team’s abundance of talent.
One standout player in the finals series was the 17-year-old Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo, who displayed exceptional performance with a 1.25 HLTV rating in the final match.
Jimpphat’s youth and clutch kills in critical rounds made him a shining star for the squad.
MOUZ’s victory at this event not only secured them the ESL Pro League Season 18 title but also elevated their status in the rankings among pundits and analysts.
Their clean sweep in the finals showcased their dominance and resilience in a competitive field.
On the other hand, NAVI, although falling short in the finals, had an impressive performance leading up to the match, not dropping a map throughout the Pro League.
In the grand final showdown, MOUZ asserted their dominance right from the start on Inferno, winning crucial rounds and establishing a 4-0 lead.
Despite NAVI’s efforts to catch up, MOUZ maintained their edge, thanks in part to Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy’s struggles on the T side.
MOUZ secured a 16-10 victory on the opening map.
The pressure mounted on NAVI as they headed into their pick, Overpass, and MOUZ continued their dominance.
A remarkable performance by Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás and Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek gave MOUZ an 11-4 lead at halftime.
Although NAVI showed signs of life with a pistol round win and a five-round streak, the 17-year-old Jimpphat’s rifling skills halted their comeback, ultimately leading MOUZ to a 16-9 victory.
In the final showdown on Mirage, NAVI put up a better fight, with Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev making his presence felt.
NAVI briefly took the lead at 5-3, but MOUZ regained control, securing a 9-6 lead at half-time.
Despite NAVI’s efforts to mount a comeback, MOUZ maintained their composure.
NAVI couldn’t stage a comeback, and MOUZ sealed their victory with a sweep in overtime, ultimately winning the ESL Pro League Season 18 grand finals.
After turning in a massive performance throughout the season, Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás was awarded the HLTV MVP for season 18.
MOUZ’s remarkable journey through this tournament, featuring a young and talented roster led by siuhy, solidified their place as a force to be reckoned with in the Counter-Strike world, as they look forward to continuing their success in the upcoming CS2 era.
