MOUZ won IEM Beijing 2026 without dropping a single map. Dorian “xertioN” Berman also took the MVP medal, and he spoke to HLTV about the result after the final.
This story is interesting because it combines team success with a rare personal award. MOUZ lifted their first IEM trophy, and their in-game leader finished as the best player of the event. As a result, xertioN became a rare example of an IGL who also leads the server in impact.
A Rare Run Through a Big Event
MOUZ were dominant from the first match to the last. They became only the 17th team to win a Big Event without losing a map. In addition, this was their first piece of IEM silverware and their second title of the Fall season.
The grand final was also the fastest BO5 final in terms of rounds played. However, not everyone gave MOUZ credit for the run. xertioN noticed that some people tried to talk down the tournament even before the final.
I’m super proud of the guys. We went the whole tournament without dropping a map, and I’ve already seen people before the final trying to talk it down already, the tournament, that maybe it’s the easiest IEM ever. I don’t think so. I think it’s very tough to beat anyone, and overall we just beat who we had in front of us, and I’m really proud of how we played.
xertioN Takes the MVP Over torzsi
xertioN beat his teammate Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás to the MVP medal. He did not start the event in top form, though. In the group stage, he felt that his aim was not at its sharpest. Then, in the playoffs, something clicked, and he played at a very high level.
He also credits the coaching staff for the way he plays. According to him, he could not frag like this without their preparation.
The medal has historic weight. It is the first IGL MVP since Jame won at Rio. It is also the first MVP for a rifling IGL since gla1ve at Beijing 2019. xertioN called it an honor to be on the same list as gla1ve, even if the trophy matters more to him.
I’m proud of myself. It’s also what I set out to do. I don’t want to be this IGL that just calls and jumps for players; I want to be an IGL that can actually help in other ways as well.
A Calm Final and a Different MOUZ
In the final, MOUZ felt comfortable against their opponent’s style. They knew what the other side wanted to do. Therefore, they chose to keep the game slow and control it on their own terms. xertioN also credits the coaches for the approach. He admits that his team threw away a few anti-eco rounds, and he joked that they will review them soon.
For xertioN, the title is also proof that MOUZ are changing their image. He points out that the team had never won an IEM before. Meanwhile, the project with him as IGL and two young players is going well so far.
Next Stop: Hong Kong and the Major
Before the Major, MOUZ set a clear goal: win one of three tournaments. They lost in the semi-finals in Bucharest. Now they have won in Beijing, so the pressure is lower.
It feels great. It definitely drops a little bit of pressure from us as a team. We agreed that before the Major, we want to win one of the three tournaments. In Bucharest, we went out in the semis, and here we won it, so now we have Hong Kong to try and push again. It will be a long journey for us now, but it is what it is.
In conclusion, the IEM Beijing title gives MOUZ strong momentum. They are far ahead as No. 1 in the VRS, which helps them for next season. Finally, they will go to Hong Kong, then return home for some rest before the Major.
