MOUZ continued their successful start to the season, defeating Vitality 2:0 at BLAST Open Porto and securing a spot in the grand final. This victory marks only the second such triumph for MOUZ since IEM Chengdu 2025, dispelling the notion of their inability to beat this opponent. In the final, MOUZ will face Spirit, who are eager for a rematch after their defeat at the BLAST Bounty tournament.
Despite the victory, MOUZ coach sycrone noted that the psychological advantage in this matchup still lies with Vitality. According to him, MOUZ will need to secure a few more wins before the rivalry feels truly equal. At the same time, he highlighted that both teams are undergoing a rebuilding phase, and the addition of two young players has brought a breath of fresh air to MOUZ.
Analyzing the game on Dust II, sycrone admitted that during their T-side, the team played too statically and showed too much respect for their opponent. The turning point came through the leadership of xertioN, who took the initiative, coordinated the team, and created space. The coach also highlighted crucial individual plays by Spinx and torzsi in the deciding rounds, which allowed them to outsmart ZywOo and successfully execute a B-split.
Separately, sycrone touched upon the team's psychological resilience in critical situations (for example, during flameZ's successful B-site retake). He stressed that the team's main approach is not to dwell on past failures but to focus exclusively on the next round. While the experienced players have already mastered this stress-management technique, the newcomers still need time to adapt.
Closing the interview, the coach shared his impressions of playing against jL. Sycrone admitted that facing him brings a smile to his face, recalling their past tactical discussions about the difficulties of playing Long on Dust II and comparing the positions of jL and xelex. According to the coach, their personal acquaintance does not change the competitive dynamics of the match, but it adds a pleasant, friendly touch to the game.
As a reminder, Spirit and MOUZ Reach the BLAST Open Porto 2026 Grand Final — Who Will Become Champions?
