In the second round of the Swiss stage at ESL Pro League Season 22, Inner Circle pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the event. They defeated The MongolZ 2–0 (13:9 Dust2, 13:11 Mirage) and struck a heavy blow to the tournament favorite and former world No.1 in the Valve Regional Standings. For the Ukrainian squad, it was their first — and already defining — victory of the season.
Match background
Both teams entered the match after opening-round defeats. Inner Circle had lost to Spirit (1–2), while The MongolZ suffered a shocking loss against HOTU. Many expected the Mongolian side to bounce back quickly. However, from the very first rounds, Inner Circle showed no fear of their more decorated rivals. Their confidence and aggression immediately changed the match’s tone.
Dust2 — Dawy takes control
Inner Circle’s map pick became an early surprise. The team executed Dust2 with confidence and discipline. From the start, David “Dawy” Bibik took charge, winning key duels and the pistol round. The MongolZ tried to answer with aggressive plays through long and mid, but Dawy repeatedly shut them down with precise aim and smart positioning. After a short comeback from The MongolZ (8–9), Inner Circle refocused. They secured two decisive retakes and closed out the map 13:9. It was a clear message — even the strongest favorites can be beaten with structure, patience, and teamwork.
Mirage — a test of nerves and composure
The MongolZ tried to dictate the pace on their map pick and led 7–5 at halftime. However, their coordination started to break apart. Inner Circle adapted brilliantly. cairne and nifee locked down mid control, while Flierax rescued several crucial rounds with timely clutches. At 11–11, Dawy once again made the difference. His triple entry on the B-site in the decisive round completely shifted momentum. The MongolZ had no response and lost the last two rounds, falling 11–13 and 0–2 overall.
Player statistics for the match
The star of the match — Dawy
- The undisputed MVP was David “Dawy” Bibik, who produced a masterclass in consistency. With 45 kills, 92 ADR, and a 1.71 rating, his performance ranked among the tournament’s best. Nearly every duel brought an advantage to his team. His composure under pressure inspired calm and confidence in the rest of Inner Circle.
- Artem “Flierax” Khioara also played a key role, closing several clutch rounds and finishing with a 1.30 rating. Together, the two formed the backbone of Inner Circle’s success — combining strong communication with tactical awareness.
- For The MongolZ, Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch stood out with 32 frags. However, his effort could not offset the struggles of the rest of the lineup, especially Senzu, who endured one of his weakest showings of the year.
Tournament context and implications
The win gave Inner Circle a huge boost in the Valve Regional Standings. They climbed from 36th to 33rd place, gaining over 70 points. For The MongolZ, the defeat was costly — they dropped from first to third globally and lost their long-held No.1 position.
It was also their second loss in as many days, following the setback against HOTU. With a 0–2 record, they now face elimination pressure. Their next match will decide their fate at EPL. Meanwhile, Inner Circle move to 1–1, riding a surge of momentum into the next round.
A symbol of the new CS2 era
The clash between The MongolZ and Inner Circle reminded everyone that in CS2, no team is untouchable. Even tier-two rosters, when structured and mentally strong, can overcome the world’s elite. Inner Circle proved that tactical discipline and teamwork can outweigh raw firepower. Dawy’s stellar performance, meanwhile, confirmed his status as one of Europe’s most promising young players.
For The MongolZ, this result should serve as a wake-up call. Fatigue, a packed schedule, and perhaps underestimating opponents have started to take their toll. If they fail to respond, they risk not only missing the playoffs but also losing their reputation as the dominant force of the Asian scene.
