Building upon a strong showing at IEM Katowice 2025, where they secured a top-four placement, The MongolZ has once again proven that they deserve a place among the best. We have seen many stories of underdogs making runs in the Swiss stage of international events, but The MongolZ’s journey truly stands out for its mix of skill, persistence, and high-stakes resilience. In this tournament, they achieved a 3-0 run through the group phase, defeating Complexity and Wildcard, followed by a nail-biting victory over paiN to clinch the playoff spot.
Facing Complexity early in the group stage was the perfect scenario for The MongolZ. Complexity is known for a capable roster filled with experienced names. We witnessed The MongolZ step up with strong early game reads, effectively neutralizing Complexity’s top fraggers and maintaining composure during late-round retakes. Securing a comfortable final score boosted the Mongolian team’s morale.
Their second match brought them head-to-head with Wildcard, led by Peter “stanislaw” Jarguz. Despite being in a strong position on both maps, Wildcard struggled to convert significant leads of 11-4 and 10-8. Munkhbold “Senzu” Azbayar delivered a return-to-form performance, averaging a 1.31 rating over four maps. This showcased his recovery from a recent hand injury and also highlighted The MongolZ’s abilities, as others like Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch provided timely multi-kills.
The match against paiN was especially dramatic, featuring close overtime rounds and several back-and-forth moments. On Inferno, both teams traded rounds and needed extra time to decide a winner. Although The MongolZ edged out a 16-13 victory, it was far from comfortable—paiN’s sniper Lucas “nqz” Soares delivered incredible plays, including a 4K in a 2v4 situation that nearly swung the map his team’s way.
Dust2 followed a similar pattern. The MongolZ found themselves at a disadvantage multiple times, but their late-round recoveries kept the score tight. nqz continued to be a thorn in The MongolZ’s side, repeatedly picking off Munkhbold “Senzu” Azbayar and giving paiN chances to close out the map. Ultimately, Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt’s heroics forced overtime, where paiN came alive to force a third map.
Mirage became the decider, and The MongolZ found their form in the final moments. Senzu, who had struggled at IEM Katowice, was back to his best. He posted a 14-2 K-D, 148.2 ADR, and a 2.71 rating during a nine-round CT comeback to secure the series. Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren also stepped up with aggressive plays that caught paiN off-guard, sealing The MongolZ’s spot in the playoffs with a 2-1 match victory.
With a 3-0 record, The MongolZ and FaZe are now through to the playoffs. On the other side, FlyQuest and Imperial Valkyries have been eliminated in last place. Three more teams will join the playoffs soon, including:
- Falcons vs. MOUZ: Falcons’ new core will try to secure their organization’s first major arena appearance since IEM Katowice 2024.
- Eternal Fire vs. 3DMAX: Eternal Fire will look to bounce back after losing to FaZe, while 3DMAX have been sharp despite recent roster changes.
- In the 1-2 elimination pool, we have matchups like Astralis vs. MIBR and Wildcard vs. BIG—teams fighting to avoid an early exit and improve their shaky starts to the season.
The MongolZ now head into the playoffs of PGL Cluj-Napoca with growing confidence. They have proven they can compete against top-level teams and handle high-pressure matches. Still, they must tighten up their late-round plays if they want to continue upsetting the favorites. For now, though, The MongolZ can celebrate another big step forward—making it to the arena stage of yet another major event.
All eyes will be on Cluj-Napoca as these teams fight for a spot in the finals. With The MongolZ in top form, fans can expect more unforgettable moments as the playoffs unfold.
