MOUZ take down Complexity to qualify for EPL playoffs

MOUZ's win also guarantees HEROIC a spot in the playoffs.

MOUZ defeated Complexity in a three-map series, winning Overpass (16-11) and Inferno (16-7) on either side of a loss on Ancient (16-12). David "⁠frozen⁠" Čerňanský put up 72 kills in a fantastic series from the Slovak, who is now the second highest-rated player in ESL Pro League Season 16 with a 1.29 rating.

Two playoff spots from the group are now locked in with the final spot being decided on Sunday, as Complexity, Astralis and ENCE all currently still have a chance to advance. If Astralis lose the game against ENCE, however, they will be eliminated before the final day.

The result also guarantees the fate of HEET, who are now eliminated from contention for the playoffs.

The series began on Complexity's pick of Overpass, with the North Americans starting on the Terrorist side. Their slow start meant that MOUZ were able to steam ahead to lead 6-0, before Michael "⁠Grim⁠" Wince and Justin "⁠FaNg⁠" Coakley converted a 2vs4 situation on the B site. MOUZ's economy remained on the brink of collapse throughout the next few rounds, but a triple kill by Ádám "⁠torzsi⁠" Torzsás's saved AWP got them back into the drivers' seat, giving them an imperious 12-3 lead at the interval.

MOUZ also struggled on their offensive side, as Complexity's pistol round win started off a comeback attempt. The North Americans got six rounds in a row, including a 1vs1 clutch by FaNg who had a fantastic map. MOUZ managed to get to match point with a couple of pistol buys that netted them two rounds, and eventually closed out the game with a 16-11 scoreline to move the series on to Ancient.

MOUZ looked much more comfortable on Ancient's T side, as they raced to an 8-0 lead before the North Americans got their first round. Complexity looked like a completely changed team after they got on the board, winning the next six rounds to keep the scoreline at a respectable 6-9, as they switched to the more difficult side of the map.

Complexity continued their positive momentum at the start of the second half, tying up the score and running away with a hot start. torzsi, who had a quiet game, won a crucial 1vs1 clutch to stop the Complexity streak, as the scoreline was once again tied up at 12-12. This time, however, it was opposing sniper Håkon "⁠hallzerk⁠" Fjærli who came to the rescue, winning the round and putting his team in a strong position to close out the map 16-12.

The decider began the same way as the previous two maps, with MOUZ racing to a seven-round lead on their T side before Complexity once again looked like they were about to bring it back. MOUZ didn't let that happen on Inferno, as they found themselves in another strong position to win the series after allowing Complexity just four rounds at the interval.

Complexity began their comeback attempt in strong fashion, winning a force buy to reduce the deficit to five rounds. Jon "⁠JDC⁠" de Castro's ace in the 20th round of play stopped their momentum, as the European combine stabilized and closed out the game 16-7 to book their spot in the ESL Pro League Season 16's playoffs.