3DMAX take down The MongolZ in Bucharest

The Frenchmen ended a losing streak against the Mongolian squad.

3DMAX have kicked off their PGL Bucharest campaign with a bang thanks to a 2-1 win over The MongolZ, recovering from a loss on Ancient (11-13) with victories on Inferno (13-10) and Anubis (13-10).

3DMAX could feasibly have taken the series 2-0, as they were in the driver's seat at 11-8 on Ancient, only to hit a brick wall on their T side due to some disjointed play.

Two lost pistols left The MongolZ with a mountain to climb on Inferno, but it was a climb they nearly managed, only for 3DMAX to inch over the line on their CT side.

Anubis was a more straightforward affair for 3DMAX thanks to their T side, which net the Frenchmen a strong 8-4 lead at the half. Garidmagnai "⁠bLitz⁠" Byambasuren did his best to help The MongolZ mount another comeback, but with the rest of his team lagging behind, it wasn't enough.

3DMAX stop the rot against The MongolZ

This matchup developed into a bit of a rivalry over 2024. At the start of the year both teams were on the cusp of the upper echelon, and it was 3DMAX who won the first two meetings, taking the trophy at Skyesports Championship and another win at ESL Pro League Season 20.

It was, however, The MongolZ who stepped up and joined the elite, winning the next three meetings between the sides in comfortable 2-0 sweeps. The last 3DMAX victory came nine months ago at this point.

3DMAX certainly benefitted from a poor showing by The MongolZ, with every member of the Mongolian squad suffering at some point in the series. Ayush "⁠mzinho⁠" Batbold and Sodbayar "⁠Techno⁠" Munkhbold were particularly poor, and this gave 3DMAX enough room to ensure the victory.