When MOUZ reached the semi-finals of the IEM Rio Major, many at the time would have predicted that it would be a coming of age for the young roster. Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite panned out that way, and 5 months into 2023, it feels like we haven’t seen much of MOUZ. Worse still, when we have, they have failed to live up the billing of Major semi-finalists.

“We feel unsatisfied, we’re quite inconsistent with our base level from my perspective. Because we can beat top teams easily, but it requires a mental state and individual consistent level for it to be top 5 material.” IGL dexter told BLAST.tv

For the most part, MOUZ have been absent from events. They don’t play BLAST events, and IEM Katowice and IEM Rio 2023 both ended in early elimination for the team. Quarter-finals at Pro League Season 17 was a bright spot, but ultimately the year hasn’t been a success so far.

While the lack of server time isn’t something that worries dexter, it is something that he considers as a negative. “We always want to be playing more and more,” he told us, later adding “but since Rio, we’ve had more break to work on our game to reveal a much higher level, which will be a positive.”

Some experts would surmise that the lack of officials and rustiness as a result of this would be the cause of MOUZ’s early competition exits, but this is an idea dexter not only disagrees with, but offers a different answer to. “It doesn’t really give us rustiness, but we mentally need to be prepared for the tournaments more I would say. We do the right things, but on LAN we need to play differently for it to work there, which we’re working on.”

JDC is one of several prospects that came from MOUZ NXT

The path to Paris

Going into April, however, only one thing would have been on MOUZ’s mind: qualifying for the BLAST.tv Paris Major. While they did succeed in doing so, they didn’t make it easy for themselves, qualifying on the final day of European RMR A with a 3-2 record.

“The qualification was very good for us, it was a tough ride since we lost most of our BO1 games versus lower tier teams. It relieved a lot of pressure in our own game, because it was the hardest one to qualify for ever, and our run was extremely hard no thanks to ourselves.” dexter told BLAST.tv.

Their 2-2 game was the most impressive, not just for managing to triumph over the pressure of a 2-2 bracket game, but also due to the fact that they beat FaZe. One of the best teams in the world, the victory is a statement win for a team such as MOUZ. When asked if he was worried going into the game, dexter had this to say: “We were not worried at all, the mental shift was good after beating Virtus.pro, so when it came down to FaZe, we were excited to play them to prove to ourselves our level.”

One of the most interesting, and perhaps the most endearing, things about this MOUZ team is the players that make up the roster. While frozen has been part of the organisation since early 2019, he has taken his performance to new heights in order to fill the void left by the departure of ropz. dexter himself has had an admirable career path, after cutting his teeth in the Oceanic region, he’s one of the few players from Australia to breakthrough and earn spots on international teams. As for JDC, torzsi, and xertioN, the trio won multiple trophies together while part of MOUZ NXT, the organisation’s academy team.

With such a youthful team at his disposal, regardless of their incredible individual ability, dexter is aware of his responsibility to them as a leader. “My style is unique at times, because I want the players to develop themselves a lot, to always work on themselves for their own future/careers. Because I don’t want them to rely on me, as I will not always have my best days calling all the time, so by developing a lot of other skills, everyone is able to grow to a much higher level faster. But I have had to be more critical and stern when mistakes do happen, so it’s clear.” he told BLAST.tv.

torzsi is one player dexter has had to take into special consideration. As the team’s AWPer, there is more pressure on the Hungarian’s shoulders to perform than anyone. With the most expensive and impactful weapon at his disposal, one shot can be the difference between winning and losing a game.

“I have focused on helping him a lot where I can, he has worked himself with a lot of support staff in MOUZ and sycrone to deliver a higher level that he is capable of. But he himself has done a great job to take on constructive criticism in the right manner, as well as working on himself out in real life to be the best version of himself.”

MOUZ in Paris

“The expectations are high, but in terms of our team performance, to be able to achieve a lot of our goals within the team to create a scenario where the results will just come with it. But at the very least, playoffs.” dexter told BLAST.tv.

If you want to watch MOUZ at the BLAST.tv Paris Major, then look no further than BLAST.tv. The platform to watch games and to get the best coverage the Major has to offer, there’s no better place to be in May than BLAST.tv.