WePlay Academy League S4 preview: Will MOUZ NXT claim 4th consecutive title? 

The fourth season of the WePlay Academy league is nearing its end, with the playoffs kicking off tomorrow, June 24, following a nearly two weeks-long break. MOUZ NXT, FURIA Academy, Fnatic Rising and BIG Academy are the four CS:GO teams left in a battle for the $45,000 top prize. 

Among the remaining teams in the battle, MOUZ NXT are on their best way to winning the fourth consecutive WePlay Academy league title. MOUZ NXT along with BIG Academy were from the start the two favourites of this tournament. Both teams topped their respective groups in the league’s group stage and both have made playoffs in all four of the league’s editions. However, MOUZ’s odds for win seem to be sligltly higher. 

Will MOUZ NXT claim another WePlay Academy League title? 

Based on the gratifying results in the WePlay Academy series, giving a chance to young players seems to be paying off for the German organization, whose academy CS:GO roster won all previous editions of the series. Following the teams’ previous victories, former NXT stars Adam “Torzsi” Torzsas and Jon “JDC” de Castro were given the opportunity to play in the main MOUZ CS:GO roster, while the free spot in NXT was filled with Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo ahead of the Season 4. 

The 15-year old Finnish rifler is the youngest CS:GO player ever signed by MOUZ, yet he adapted quickly and helped the team to qualify for the upcoming REPUBLEAGUE Season 3 as well as to secure a playoff spot in the WePlay Academy League. Previously, Jimpphat played with multiple Finnish organizations including Conquer Gaming, SJ, NYYRIKKI Esports and IQUE.gg. 

MOUZ NXT’s group stage run in the Academy League saw the team lose only in two out of 12 played matches, namely against OG Academy and Fnatic Rising. Even though only BIG is deemed to be able to endanger Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek’s squad on their mission for the fourth trophy, if Fnatic give it all they have, they too might have a chance. 

Can BIG Academy dethrone MOUZ NXT? 

While BIG Academy didn’t have such outstanding results in the league’s previous editions, they did make playoffs in all editions, and, more importantly, finished second in Season 3 following the roster revamp at the beginning of 2021. The same squad, except Karim “Krimbov Moussa, who’s been promoted into the BIG main CS:GO squad, is now trying to dethrone MOUZ. Krimbo swapped places in main roster with Nils “k1to” Gruhne, who now in return enhances the academy’s roster with experience from top-tier CS:GO competitions. 

In their WePlay Academy group stage run, BIG Academy were defeated only once by Astralis Talent in their second match at this event. The last time they faced MOUZ was in the previous season’s Grand Final, so they will be undoubtedly eager for revenge. 

The WePlay Academy Season 3 double-elimination playoffs commence tomorrow, June 24 at 3 pm CEST with a clash between Fnatic Rising and BIG Academy. MOUZ NXT vs. FURIA Academy match follows at 6:15 pm CEST.

The Grand Final is set to take place on Sunday, June 26 at 6:45 pm CEST.

Header: WePlay Esports