MOUZ beat NAVI in the finals to win ESL Pro League Season 18 title

The up-and-coming Counter-Strike powerhouse, MOUZ emerged victorious in the ESL Pro League Season 18 Grand Finals, dismantling NAVI with a flawless 3-0 scoreline.

MOUZ, sporting one of the youngest rosters in professional Counter-Strike, secured a flawless 3-0 victory against NAVI in the ESL Pro League Season 18 Grand Finals. The young MOUZ squad displayed remarkable prowess, triumphing with a 16-10 score on Inferno, a 16-9 victory on Overpass, and a thrilling 19-15 win in overtime on Mirage.

Leading MOUZ as their in-game leader was Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek, who previously guided GamerLegion to the Grand Finals of the BLAST Paris Major just months ago. Siuhy’s aggressive playmaking style of calling injected new life into the MOUZ roster, already brimming with raw talent.

CHAMPIONS🏆🔥🐭❤️

WE WIN THE LAST EVER CS:GO GRAND FINAL 3:0 AGAINST @natusvincere 🔥

GG WP, I’m shaking 😭❤️#VAMOUZ pic.twitter.com/seQpVTO8lP

— MOUZ (@mousesports) October 1, 2023

 

One of the standout performers of the Grand Finals was 17-year-old Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo, who delivered an impressive 1.25 HLTV rating in the final match. Despite his youth, Jimpphat’s clutch kills in crucial rounds made him a bright spot for the squad. Notably, Jimpphat was awarded the DHL MVP for the season, underscoring his impact on MOUZ’s success.

The journey to the championship

MOUZ’s journey to the championship was no cakewalk. Along the way, they defeated formidable opponents, including FURIA, FaZe Clan, G2, and ENCE. These victories, combined with their clean sweep of NAVI in the finals, are likely to propel MOUZ higher up the rankings in the eyes of pundits and analysts. The fact that they triumphed in a challenging tournament bracket only adds to their impressive feat.

NAVI, despite their loss, can still find positives in their performance. Prior to the finals against MOUZ, they had not dropped a single map throughout the duration of the Pro League. However, it’s worth noting that their path to the finals was not as arduous as MOUZ’s.

The victory at ESL Pro League Season 18 positions MOUZ as a rising force in the Counter-Strike world. Their remarkable journey, coupled with their young and talented roster, sets them on a promising trajectory. As they look ahead to future competitions, including the BLAST Fall Showdown and IEM Sydney, MOUZ aims to maintain their upward momentum, all while keeping an eye on the transition to Counter-Strike 2.

With their victory, MOUZ not only claimed the ESL Pro League Season 18 title but also secured the lion’s share of the $850,000 total prize pool. Additionally, they have earned a spot in the ESL Pro Tour Championship event, IEM Katowice 2024, with a chance to compete for a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool.

As Counter-Strike 2 makes its debut, MOUZ’s triumph at ESL Pro League Season 18 marks a significant milestone in the transition to the new game iteration. While the competitive landscape evolves, MOUZ remains a team to watch, determined to leave its mark on Counter-Strike history.

Header: ESL