The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 became a real test for teams that gambled on new rosters ahead of the season. And the match between MOUZ and Team Liquid in the 0–2 group was a clear example of how captaincy decisions, team chemistry, and mental toughness can define the outcome. This wasn’t just a game — it was a clash of two projects fighting to prove they still had life left in them, but only one survived.
Backstory: When a Leader Leaves
At the beginning of 2025, Polish in-game leader Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek made the tough decision to leave MOUZ — the team he had led through their hardest times and raised to the top. His new home became Team Liquid, a struggling North American giant hoping for a reset built around European leadership.
At the same time, MOUZ took a risk by making Brollan their new IGL — a player known for his aggression and firepower from his time in NiP, but never before seen as a leader. The move raised eyebrows in the community, but MOUZ’s management believed in him — and it proved to be the right call.
Match Timeline
Dust2 — A Strategic Collapse for Liquid (13:8)
Liquid picked Dust2 as their comfort zone, but MOUZ immediately took control. Spinx, torzsi, and xertioN locked down A site, dismantled AWP setups, and Brollan effectively read Liquid’s rotations. An 8:4 half for MOUZ quickly exposed Liquid’s passivity and lack of direction.
Nuke — A One-Man Show (4:13)
Liquid woke up on map two. On MOUZ’s pick, Nuke, Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak delivered an incredible performance — 29 kills, multiple clutches, and a dominant 94.4 ADR. The Americans capitalized on early momentum, while MOUZ couldn’t find footing on the T side.
Mirage — A Nerve-Wracking Finale (22:19)
Mirage turned into a mental battlefield. Liquid had several chances to close out the map, leading in early overtimes, but each opportunity slipped away. torzsi found key openings, Jimpphat held strong on anchors, xertioN traded efficiently, and Spinx delivered vital clutches. Meanwhile, only Twistzz and ultimate kept Liquid alive — the rest were overwhelmed. The final 22:19 score reflected not just a defeat, but a psychological unraveling.
Series Stats
Tournament Flop: NAF — 37–55, 0.75 rating, 51.3 ADR. One of the weakest performances of his career.
IGLs Comparison:
- Brollan — 0.81 rating, but smart strategic calls on Mirage.
- siuhy — 0.90 rating, some key clutches, but lacked full tactical control.
Team Liquid: Directionless, Shaky, and Strategically Broken
Liquid’s performance in this match exposed deeper issues — a lack of structure, poor synergy, and complete instability under pressure. Despite a strong individual showing from ultimate on Nuke, the rest of the series confirmed the crisis: NAF was entirely off-form, siuhy failed to outmaneuver his former team, and coordination collapsed in key rounds — especially on Mirage, where several chances to close the map were wasted. Twistzz and ultimate tried to carry the load, but without support from NertZ or any tactical clarity, Liquid looked lost. This 0–3 exit wasn’t a fluke — it marked the collapse of a project with no identity.
Community Reaction
The HLTV forums erupted after the loss. Fans, analysts, and trolls all voiced their opinions about Liquid’s downfall:
- “mouz vs tl — sorry siuhy but you can’t win with decoy NAF walking around wondering how did he get there” (+20)
- “Ultimate/NAF 0.30 Masterclass incoming”
- “Liquid gonna have to shuffle after the major it seems”
- “Can both teams lose?”
- “I wish Liquid would just explode tbh”
- “fuck these traitors up siuhy”
- “NAF masterclass inbound, 4.6 rating and six 1v4s for NAF”
The comments were mostly critical — with NAF and siuhy bearing the brunt of the blame for the loss. Some fans even sarcastically praised MOUZ’s progress since siuhy’s departure, hinting that the team had outgrown its former leader.
What’s Next?
MOUZ remain alive in the Swiss stage, showing character and tactical maturity under Brollan’s leadership — proving himself a capable IGL despite weak personal stats. Meanwhile, Liquid exit the Major with a disgraceful 0–3 record — lacking a clear identity, suffering from poor synergy, and featuring a dismal showing from NAF. A full-blown roster overhaul now seems inevitable. The community is already bracing for a major offseason shakeup, and this match may have marked the point of no return for the North American project.
MOUZ will now face a must-win match to advance. With this kind of resilience, cohesion, and leadership, they may yet go far. As for Liquid — it’s time to reflect, and make some painful decisions.
