On September 5, one of the most anticipated quarterfinal matches of the BLAST Open London 2025 LAN Finals will take place — European powerhouse MOUZ against North America’s sensation M80. At stake is not only a spot in the semifinals but also a chance to solidify a place among the elite. For MOUZ, this is an opportunity to restore their image as a stable top-tier team after an inconsistent group stage, while for M80, it’s a chance to prove that their breakthrough is no accident.
First Official Meeting — An Unpredictable Duel
This will be the first LAN encounter between MOUZ and M80. The Europeans bring with them extensive experience in major playoffs, while the Americans arrive in top form after wins over NAVI, fnatic, and Virtus.pro. The lack of head-to-head history makes this match even more intriguing, with both sides entering the series holding hidden tactical cards.
Road to the BLAST Open London 2025 Quarterfinals
MOUZ — From Strong Start to Warning Signs
The team began the group stage with victories:
- 2–1 vs Imperial — xertioN made the difference with his aggressive entries.
- 2–0 vs G2 — one of the most impressive wins in the group.
But things soon went downhill:
- 0–2 vs FURIA — a painful loss that exposed issues in their attack.
MOUZ showed class against G2 but also looked vulnerable under the pressure of aggressive opponents.
M80 — The Dark Horse That Fears No Giants
The North Americans started with a loss to Vitality (1–2), but quickly shifted into another gear:
- 2–1 vs Virtus.pro — coordinated clutch play brought them the win.
- 2–1 vs NAVI — the biggest upset of the group stage, with slaxz- and s1n outplaying global superstars.
- 2–0 vs fnatic — a confident victory that secured their playoff spot.
M80 didn’t just create one upset — they consistently proved their strength across different maps and scenarios.
Current Form and Key Players
MOUZ enter the playoffs with mixed results. They secured some solid wins — most notably against G2 — but also looked shaky in matches against Falcons and FURIA. This clearly showed the team’s instability: at their best, they can challenge anyone, but under pressure, they sometimes lose focus. Their play revolves around xertioN’s aggressive entries and Spinx’s versatility, while torzsi needs to regain confidence to relieve some of the burden from his teammates. Overall, MOUZ remain a dangerous contender, but their consistency map to map remains in question.
M80, on the other hand, are experiencing one of the brightest stretches in their history. They entered the tournament as underdogs, but wins over Virtus.pro, NAVI, and fnatic elevated their status to genuine playoff contenders. Their game is built on discipline and cohesion: they can come back even after poor starts, while their young captain s1n often makes decisive mid-round calls. slaxz- plays a crucial role, providing stability and composure in clutch situations. Overall, M80’s form looks more convincing: the team is riding a wave of confidence and enters the quarterfinals without the weight of expectations — an advantage that could work in their favor.
Map Pool and Veto
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: MOUZ — not played | M80 47% (15 maps)
- Mirage: MOUZ 59% (17 maps) | M80 77% (13 maps)
- Inferno: MOUZ 67% (9 maps) | M80 88% (8 maps)
- Nuke: MOUZ 56% (9 maps) | M80 — not played
- Train: MOUZ 83% (6 maps) | M80 71% (7 maps)
- Overpass: MOUZ 33% (3 maps) | M80 88% (17 maps)
- Ancient: MOUZ 25% (8 maps) | M80 88% (17 maps)
Likely bans:
- MOUZ will remove Ancient, where M80’s stats are very strong.
- M80 will ban Train, MOUZ’s most reliable map.
Likely picks:
- MOUZ will choose Inferno, their most stable map where Spinx and torzsi are comfortable.
- M80 will likely go for Overpass, where their aggressive defaults and clutch discipline pay off.
Potential decider:
- Most likely Mirage, a relatively balanced map for both teams, though MOUZ’s deeper playoff experience may give them an edge.
Key Duels
- torzsi vs slaxz- — the sniper battle
torzsi prefers an aggressive style, often opening rounds for MOUZ, while slaxz- plays more conservatively, focusing on stability and clutch impact. If the American AWPer can neutralize torzsi’s activity, M80 gain a significant advantage.
- Spinx vs s1n — experience vs ambition
Spinx is a versatile rifler, capable of both breaking defenses and holding strong on retakes. s1n, as M80’s young IGL, thrives on bold, surprising calls. This duel represents stability versus experimentation, with the winner setting the pace of the match.
- xertioN vs Swisher — entry vs anchor
xertioN dictates MOUZ’s tempo with his opening duels. Swisher, by contrast, plays as a reliable anchor on tough spots. If he can hold off the Israeli’s aggression, M80’s chances of upsetting rise significantly.
Prediction
MOUZ enter the match as favorites thanks to their experience and roster depth. They have proven their ability to compete with top teams, but their inconsistency in the group stage raises concerns. M80, in contrast, are on an upward trajectory — their wins over NAVI and fnatic prove they are more than capable of pulling off another upset.
Predicted score: MOUZ 2–1 M80
The Europeans have more resources and late-round options, but the series is expected to be highly contested. M80 have already shown they can break the script, and this quarterfinal could be no exception.
