The third-place decider at ESL Pro League Season 22 served as a fitting finale to the tournament, delivering a thrilling European derby between two of the most consistent rosters in recent years — MOUZ and FaZe Clan. Both teams had fallen short of reaching the grand final, but neither intended to leave the stage quietly. In the end, it was the young MOUZ lineup that prevailed — 2:0 (13–7 Ancient, 13–10 Overpass) — earning the bronze medals and reaffirming their place among the elite of global Counter-Strike 2.
Prelude — Another Chapter in a European Rivalry
The rivalry between MOUZ and FaZe has been one of Europe’s defining stories for years, regularly producing some of the most intense matches across tournaments like IEM Katowice and BLAST Premier. Coming into this encounter, both teams found themselves at crossroads
- MOUZ had fallen to NAVI in the semifinals but looked confident throughout the event.
- FaZe, meanwhile, lost a hard-fought series to Vitality, a defeat that seemed to drain their energy.
The third-place match became an opportunity for redemption — particularly for MOUZ, who aimed to cement their status as Europe’s new powerhouse.
Match Chronology
- Ancient (13–7, FaZe’s pick)
FaZe chose Ancient, hoping to exploit their trademark map control through rain and frozen, but it was MOUZ who seized the initiative from the very start.
jimmphat and Spinx dictated the pace early on, winning duels across the map. The first half ended 8–4 in favor of MOUZ, and even after the side switch, FaZe couldn’t find a foothold in the defense.
torzsi delivered several pinpoint AWP shots, while xertioN came out clutch in two key 1v1s. The “mice” closed the map 13–7, making a strong statement for the series.
- Overpass (13–10, MOUZ’s pick)
On their own pick, Sycrone’s squad displayed textbook discipline and preparation. Spinx continued to dominate the duels, preventing FaZe from establishing control. The first half ended 7–5, but the real battle began after halftime. FaZe tried to rally behind Twistzz and broky, who pulled off a few impressive clutches, yet jimmphat was unbreakable. The Finnish rifler neutralized every attempt at aggression, finishing the map in spectacular form.
The final round summarized the match perfectly — a double entry from jimmphat followed by a clean close-out from torzsi — 13–10, and MOUZ celebrated a confident 2–0 victory.
Player Statistics for the Match
For FaZe, the standout player was Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken (29–30, Rating 1.14), while karrigan and rain struggled to maintain their usual tempo.
MVP of the Match
The best player of the series was Jimi “jimmphat” Salo, who once again proved himself as one of Europe’s brightest rising stars.
- K–D: 38–19 (+19)
- ADR: 90.7
- Rating 3.0: 1.44
His consistency, sharp aim, and flawless clutch decision-making were the cornerstones of MOUZ’s success. Particularly on Ancient, jimmphat single-handedly shut down multiple FaZe attacks, turning rounds that seemed lost into victories.
Team Performances
- MOUZ
The team looked composed and well-prepared. Sycrone managed the timeouts perfectly, while every player understood their role. Spinx controlled the map’s rhythm, torzsi regained his confidence on the AWP, and jimmphat provided the emotional spark that fueled the squad. This was a balanced and mature performance — proof that MOUZ are genuine contenders for future titles.
- FaZe Clan
For FaZe, this match was a cold reality check. The team appeared exhausted after their semifinal battle, and w0nderful struggled to fill broky’s impact in certain rounds. Despite flashes of brilliance from Twistzz, frozen, and broky, the team lacked cohesion. karrigan couldn’t adapt his strategies to MOUZ’s fast-paced style, which ultimately cost them the match.
Takeaways from the Series
MOUZ claim third place at ESL Pro League Season 22, finishing their season on a high note. Their victory over FaZe not only highlighted their excellent form but also served as a statement — this young roster is ready to fight for major trophies.
FaZe, on the other hand, settle for fourth. Though still among the elite, they clearly need a reset before the year’s end. Their core remains dangerous, but consistency will be the key to reclaiming dominance.
MOUZ leave the ESL Pro League as a team symbolizing the new wave of European Counter-Strike — fast, tactical, and fiercely confident.
