The stage is set for a heated battle at the ESL Pro League Season 22 as MOUZ face off against Natus Vincere in a Best of 3 quarterfinal. This matchup adds another chapter to the long-standing rivalry between two European giants, with not only a semifinal spot at stake but also a chance to reaffirm their status among the world’s CS2 elite.
Head-to-Head — A Rivalry That Spans Years
The MOUZ–NAVI rivalry remains one of the most compelling in modern CS2. Across their last 21 maps, MOUZ lead the head-to-head 11–8, with two overtimes between them.
Their most recent clash took place at IEM Cologne 2025, where MOUZ triumphed 2–0 (13–10 Nuke, 13–10 Mirage). Under torzsi’s leadership, the German organization dominated with disciplined rotations, solid defense, and assertive map control that left NAVI with no room to recover.
However, NAVI have had their share of victories as well — defeating MOUZ at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 and eliminating them from playoffs at IEM Rio 2024. This is not merely a clash of form, but a long-term battle of styles and mentality.
Group Stage Path — ESL Pro League Season 22
- MOUZ — Consistency and Tactical Growth
The German organization displayed stability throughout the group stage, winning four out of five matches.
- MOUZ began strongly with dominant victories over GamerLegion (2–0) and Gentle Mates (2–0), showcasing sharp coordination and collective effort. They then suffered a narrow defeat to Falcons (1–2), falling short in the decider map due to mid-round miscommunication.
- However, they closed the group on a high note, defeating 3DMAX (2–0) to secure a top playoff seed.
torzsi continues to be the team’s anchor — consistent, calm, and deadly — while xertioN’s explosive entries regularly give MOUZ early map control and momentum.
- Natus Vincere — A Confident Comeback After Early Struggles
- NAVI’s group stage was a rollercoaster. They started with a solid 2–0 win against Aurora, but consecutive losses to Falcons (0–2) and 3DMAX (1–2) put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
- From there, the Ukrainian squad rallied in impressive fashion, taking decisive victories over HOTU (2–0) and The MongolZ (2–0) to restore confidence and reassert themselves as playoff contenders.
- Makazze and b1t have been instrumental in this resurgence — the former providing reliability and balance between anchor and entry roles, while the latter rediscovered his peak form with clinical aim and composure. Meanwhile, Aleksib successfully restructured NAVI’s mid-round calling, making the team more adaptable in tempo and more effective in reading opponents on versatile maps.
Both sides now enter the playoffs in strong shape — MOUZ with steady form and chemistry, and NAVI with regained confidence and momentum after a turbulent start.
Current Form & Key Factors
MOUZ — Stability and Tactical Maturity
MOUZ head into the playoffs looking composed and confident. The revamped roster featuring Brollan and Spinx has blended seamlessly with xertioN and Jimpphat, achieving an ideal balance between aggression and structure. The key player remains torzsi — with a 1.14 rating and 76% KAST over the last three months, his impact as both opener and clutch player cannot be overstated. Spinx and xertioN handle initial contact, while Brollan often delivers in high-pressure rounds. MOUZ favor a measured tempo that works especially well against NAVI’s slower, methodical playstyle.
Natus Vincere — Searching for a New Identity Around makazze and w0nderful
2025 has been a rebuilding year for NAVI. The addition of makazze brought structure and fresh energy, while iM remains the team’s spark on early-round aggression.
w0nderful stands out as the team’s X-factor — with an impact rating above 1.15, his fearless AWP plays can singlehandedly shift the outcome of rounds. b1t provides reliability in aim duels, and Aleksib anchors the team’s tactical discipline. However, NAVI still show signs of inconsistency when forced out of their comfort zone by high-tempo opponents.
Map Pool & Veto Prediction
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: MOUZ — N/A | NAVI 67%
- Mirage: MOUZ 60% | NAVI 50%
- Inferno: MOUZ 73% | NAVI 64%
- Nuke: MOUZ 50% | NAVI 57%
- Train: both teams 100% (few maps played)
- Overpass: MOUZ 60% | NAVI — N/A
- Ancient: MOUZ 38% | NAVI 45%
Predicted veto:
- MOUZ will likely remove Dust2, NAVI’s strongest pick.
- NAVI will likely ban Overpass to avoid MOUZ’s tactical edge.
Likely picks:
- MOUZ: Inferno, where their mid-round synergy shines.
- NAVI: Nuke, fitting their structured, deliberate approach.
Potential decider:
Mirage seems the most probable third map — both teams have deep experience and similar win rates here.
Key Duels
torzsi vs w0nderful — A sniper showdown that could define the series. torzsi thrives under pressure, while w0nderful’s high-impact, aggressive playstyle can change the course of a map with one flick.
xertioN vs iM — Two explosive riflers whose duels will dictate map control. iM’s unrelenting aggression contrasts with xertioN’s more calculated entry play.
Aleksib vs Spinx — A clash of philosophies: Aleksib’s structured mid-round calls versus Spinx’s instinctive and tempo-breaking approach.
Prediction
This matchup promises to be a tactical chess game played at breakneck speed. MOUZ enter with stronger chemistry and steadier results, while NAVI rely on individual brilliance to break open rounds. If w0nderful and makazze hit peak form early, NAVI can challenge the favorites — but overall, MOUZ appear the more cohesive and disciplined side.
Predicted score: MOUZ 2–1 Natus Vincere.
