The PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 tournament just ended, and wow—what a ride! From insane clutches to shocking upsets, this event had it all. CS2 fans were treated to a high-energy showdown between some of the best teams in the world, with a massive $1.25 million prize pool on the line. The action kicked off with the group stage in Bucharest, where 16 teams battled for eight playoff spots. From there, the competition moved to the BT Arena in Cluj-Napoca, where the remaining teams duked it out in a single-elimination bracket.
Every match was a best-of-three, except for the grand final, which stretched to an epic best-of-five. Some of the biggest teams like NAVI, G2, and Team Spirit sat this one out, making room for fresh faces to shine. That led to some wild storylines—The MongolZ going undefeated in groups, Astralis making a deep run, and MOUZ proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. Let us now explore the specifics—the shocks, the highlights, the remarkable events that made PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 a tournament to remember!
Group Stage: Surprises, Stomps, and Struggles
The group stage followed a Swiss System format, meaning every team played until they had three wins or three losses. With only eight spots in the playoffs, competition was fierce. Some teams dominated, others crumbled under the pressure, and a few managed to pull off miracle runs.
Standout Performances
- FaZe Clan (3-0) – The kings of consistency. They played smart, hit their shots, and barely broke a sweat reaching the playoffs.
- The MongolZ (3-0) – The dark horse of the tournament. Their aggressive playstyle caught everyone off guard, and they breezed through groups.
- Eternal Fire (3-1) – The Turkish squad played with fire (literally) and locked in a strong performance.
- Team Falcons (3-1) – With a stacked roster, they lived up to expectations.
- paiN Gaming (3-1) – One of the best Brazilian teams in the event, proving they belong on the big stage.
- MOUZ (3-2) – It wasn’t easy, but they clutched up when it mattered.
- Astralis (3-2) – Classic Astralis—slow start, strong finish.
- SAW (3-2) – A pleasant surprise, as they fought tooth and nail for their playoff spot.
Teams That Got Eliminated
- Virtus.pro (2-3) – Not their best showing.
- 3DMAX (2-3) – Gave it their all, but just missed out.
- BIG (2-3) – Close, but not close enough.
- MIBR (1-3) – Brazil had mixed results, and MIBR fell short.
- Wildcard, FlyQuest, Complexity, Imperial Valkyries (All 1-3 or 0-3) – Tough tournament for these teams, but valuable experience.
Playoffs: Into the Fire
With the best eight teams remaining, it was time for the single-elimination bracket. No second chances—win or go home.
Quarterfinals
- Astralis vs. The MongolZ: Astralis showed their experience, taking a 2-0 victory and eliminating the Mongolian squad.
- FaZe vs. SAW: FaZe flexed their firepower, easily sweeping SAW 2-0.
- MOUZ vs. paiN Gaming: A closer series, but MOUZ clutched up for a 2-1 win.
- Team Falcons vs. Eternal Fire: Falcons took flight and secured a 2-1 victory.
Semifinals
The final day, February 23, featured two critical matches:
- Third-Place Decider: FaZe Clan faced Astralis in a Bo3 series to determine the third-place finisher.
- Grand Final: MOUZ and Team Falcons clashed in a Bo5 series for the championship title.
The stage was set for the Grand Final. MOUZ, against all odds, faced off against Team Falcons in a best-of-five that would go down in history.
Grand Final: MOUZ vs. Team Falcons
The PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 Grand Final was everything and more for the fans. Both MOUZ and Team Falcons had demonstrated remarkable skill and tenacity throughout the competition, setting the stage for an unforgettable matchup. It’s important to note that the tournament itself didn’t have some of the teams that could compete strongly.
A best-of-five slugfest for the $400,000 grand prize. MOUZ, the underdogs, played their hearts out and secured a 3-1 victory, proving they were the best team in Cluj-Napoca!
Final Map Scores
- Dust2: MOUZ 13-6 Falcons
- Mirage: Falcons 13-4 MOUZ
- Nuke: MOUZ 13-11 Falcons
- Ancient: MOUZ 13-9 Falcons (Championship Point!)
For Team Falcons, while they didn’t come out on top, their runner-up finish was a sign that they were here to stay. The Falcons had proven themselves to be one of the most exciting teams in the scene. Following one of the toughest Counter-Strike 2 medal races, PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 Nikola “NiKo” Kovač became Most Valuable Player of the tournament. The great rifler for the Falcons had a significant rating advantage going into the final and held the top spot at 1.27.
Although the Falcons team showed strong defense for CT on Mirage, their opponents MOUZ were stronger on the rest of the maps. MOUZ’s triumph was a significant turning point in their CS2 history. It was their first trophy in the last 9 months, a long-awaited win after coming close in previous tournaments. Not only that, but it was also the biggest prize money they’ve ever earned, with a massive $400,000 in the bank.
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025: A Grand Final to Remember
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 was more than just another tournament. From the intense group stage to the high-stakes playoff matches, this event showcased the level of competition that keeps fans coming back for more. There was the underdog story of The MongolZ, who went through the group stage undefeated, knocking out some of the world’s best teams. Then, of course, we had MOUZ—the team that no one really pegged for a championship run but ended up proving everyone wrong. Winning the final 3-1 after a tough series made MOUZ not just the champions of Cluj-Napoca but also one of the best teams in CS2 right now.
What made this tournament truly exciting wasn’t just the winners but the level of competition. The new faces, the emerging talents, and the tight matches all combined to deliver a show that entertained and thrilled everyone. The question on everyone’s mind is: Who’s going to take the championship next? As we look ahead to future events, one thing is for sure—PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 raised the bar for what we can expect from top-tier CS2 tournaments.
