The ESL Pro League Season 23 Finals delivered several unexpected storylines. While Natus Vincere ultimately lifted the trophy after defeating Aurora in the grand final, the event also revealed surprising breakthroughs, painful collapses, and several teams that failed to meet expectations.
The MongolZ — A Disappointing Playoff Exit
For The MongolZ, the tournament ended in disappointment. The team managed to reach the playoffs with a strong 3–1 record in Stage 2, which raised expectations among fans. However, their quarterfinal series against NAVI quickly turned into a one-sided affair.
The second map in particular ended in a crushing defeat, leaving little room for optimism. Considering their solid run through the group stage and their position as a top VRS team, fans expected a much stronger playoff performance. Reaching the playoffs was an achievement — but failing to compete once there turned the run into a frustrating outcome.
read more
Legacy — A Respectable Run Despite Elimination
Legacy present a much more nuanced case. Compared to The MongolZ, the expectations were very different. At the time of the playoffs Legacy sat around No.22 in the VRS rankings, while their opponents Aurora were inside the top ten.
Despite the difference in ranking, Legacy pushed the series to three maps in the quarterfinals. Considering their journey from the first stage all the way to the final stage of the event, their overall performance can be viewed as respectable rather than disappointing.
Spirit — The Biggest Collapse of the Tournament
If one team can be called the biggest disappointment of the tournament, it is undoubtedly Spirit. Their dominant 3–0 record in Stage 2 created the impression that Spirit were serious title contenders. However, the quarterfinal against Astralis turned into a complete collapse.
The Danish side dismantled Spirit in a convincing 2–0 victory, while the individual ratings across the entire Spirit roster were surprisingly low. Even star player donk was unable to carry the team this time. A flawless group stage followed by such a one-sided playoff exit makes this result one of the most shocking disappointments of the tournament.
MOUZ — A Close Series, But a Shock Result
MOUZ also fall into the category of unexpected exits. On paper, their quarterfinal loss against FUT looked competitive. All three maps were tightly contested and decided by narrow margins. However, context matters. MOUZ entered the tournament as the No.3 team in the VRS rankings, while FUT are still relatively new to the top tier, only gaining wider recognition toward the end of last season and the beginning of this one.
Despite that, FUT managed to eliminate MOUZ. For the large MOUZ fanbase, the result came as a significant shock.
Astralis and FUT — Two Pleasant Surprises
Two teams that truly impressed at the tournament were Astralis and FUT. Both teams looked competitive throughout the playoffs and realistically had a chance to meet in the grand final. Instead, they fell just short — Astralis losing to Aurora in the semifinal, while FUT were stopped by NAVI.
Still, both teams delivered strong three-map series against the eventual finalists. Astralis slightly edged the narrative after defeating FUT in the third-place match. One player in particular stood out: phzy, whose impressive Rating 3.0 performance rivaled the numbers posted by the tournament’s eventual MVP, makazze from NAVI.
Aurora and NAVI — Worthy Finalists
Both finalists deserve recognition. Aurora played an excellent tournament, navigating a difficult bracket and delivering several competitive series. However, the story of the event ultimately belonged to Natus Vincere. Few expected such a dominant run from NAVI heading into the finals, making their performance a very pleasant surprise.
The team peaked at exactly the right moment. In the grand final they delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, with makazze earning the MVP award and w0nderful providing crucial AWP impact. Interestingly, the tournament’s top player ratings were dominated by members of NAVI, Astralis, and Aurora — a reflection of how competitive the event truly was.
read more
Final Thoughts
ESL Pro League Season 23 Finals once again showed why Counter-Strike remains one of the most unpredictable esports titles. Some favorites collapsed earlier than expected, while other teams seized the opportunity to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
For NAVI, the tournament marked a statement victory. For several other teams, however, the event will serve as a reminder that consistency at the top level remains the hardest challenge in professional Counter-Strike.
