The quarterfinal of ESL Pro League Season 22 delivered a true European derby — MOUZ vs Natus Vincere. Two teams that have repeatedly crossed paths at the highest level once again faced off, this time with a semifinal spot on the line. And once more, it was the “mice” who came out on top — 2:1, after a series filled with drama, clutch plays, and brilliant individual performances.
Prelude — A Duel That Has Become a Classic
For years, MOUZ and NAVI have shared one of the fiercest rivalries in modern CS2. Over the past two years, they’ve met more than twenty times, with each map serving as a test of strength. After MOUZ’s victory over NAVI at IEM Cologne 2025, the Ukrainian club sought revenge — but history repeated itself.
MOUZ entered this quarterfinal in excellent form, having defeated GamerLegion, Gentle Mates, and 3DMAX on their way to the playoffs. NAVI, meanwhile, came into the event as reigning StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 champions — confident, but clearly fatigued after a demanding LAN schedule.
Ancient (14:16, NAVI’s pick)
The match began on Ancient, NAVI’s choice, and from the opening rounds it was clear the fight would be intense. Aleksib’s squad started strong — 8:4 at halftime — with iM putting on a flawless performance, winning nearly every duel. However, in classic MOUZ fashion, the “mice” refused to back down. xertioN and jimmphat led a fierce comeback, cutting the deficit to one round. In the closing moments, b1t saved NAVI with a crucial 1v2 clutch, sealing the map 16:14. Despite the loss, it became apparent that MOUZ had a clear plan for the series.
Inferno (13:8, MOUZ’s pick)
On their own pick, MOUZ looked reborn — confident, aggressive, and perfectly coordinated. From the start, Spinx dominated Banana, wreaking havoc in NAVI’s defense, while torzsi finally found his rhythm with the AWP, consistently winning duels against w0nderful, who struggled to make an impact throughout the evening. MOUZ closed the first half with a narrow lead (6:5), but after switching sides, they completely took over. xertioN won two consecutive clutches, while Brollan and jimmphat broke NAVI’s economy, ending the map 13:8 and leveling the series.
Train (13:4, Decider)
The final map turned into a nightmare for NAVI. MOUZ entered Train fully charged, dismantling their opponents from start to finish. xertioN delivered arguably one of the best performances of his career — 59 kills across three maps, full of high-impact rounds. Spinx continued to punish NAVI on rotations, while torzsi provided stability with the AWP. NAVI, on the other hand, looked completely out of sync. w0nderful endured one of his worst showings (26–46), makazze couldn’t match the pace, and even a stellar effort from iM (55–45, 1.42 rating) wasn’t enough to save the day. Final score — 13:4, and a dominant victory for MOUZ, who advanced to the semifinals.
Player Statistics
MVP of the Match
The standout star of the quarterfinal was Dorian “xertioN” Berman, whose consistency and impact carried MOUZ throughout the series.
- K–D: 59–48 (+11)
- ADR: 98.7
- Rating 3.0: 1.45
xertioN didn’t just win aim duels — he dictated the pace of MOUZ’s game. His composure on Train and sharp decision-making in key rounds turned the decider into a one-sided performance and sealed MOUZ’s semifinal berth.
Team Breakdown
MOUZ
The team looked cohesive, structured, and highly motivated. Sycrone managed the veto and timeouts to perfection, xertioN and Spinx applied constant pressure on both sides of the map, while torzsi regained his form at the perfect time. MOUZ’s style — youthful energy mixed with tactical discipline — makes them one of the most dangerous teams left in the tournament.
Natus Vincere
After their recent title at StarSeries, NAVI seemed unable to maintain their momentum. Despite iM’s efforts and Aleksib’s leadership, the team’s issues were evident — inconsistency from w0nderful, lack of energy, and poor coordination in mid-round scenarios. For NAVI, this was a painful but necessary reminder that even champions can’t afford to stagnate.
Head-to-Head History
This was the 20th meeting between MOUZ and Natus Vincere. While NAVI hold 8 victories, MOUZ have now taken the last three in a row — bringing the all-time tally to 11–8 in favor of the German organization. The balance of power has shifted — MOUZ have evolved from underdogs into legitimate contenders for every major trophy.
Conclusion
MOUZ claim a spot in the semifinals of ESL Pro League Season 22, proving that their momentum from the summer season continues. Their mix of youth, precision, and relentless aggression positions them as one of the favorites for the title. NAVI, meanwhile, exit the tournament in the quarterfinals. Despite flashes of brilliance, recurring weaknesses — unstable AWPing, lost pistol rounds, and mid-round indecision — continue to hold them back.
The next likely chapter in this rivalry could unfold at IEM Chengdu 2025, where NAVI will seek redemption, and MOUZ will aim to cement their place among CS2’s elite.
