The BLAST.tv Austin Major has delivered upsets as two tournament favorites, MOUZ and Team Liquid, found themselves fighting for survival after catastrophic 0-2 starts in Stage 3. What was expected to be a smooth progression for these championship contenders turned into a nightmare scenario, with both teams facing immediate elimination from one of Counter-Strike 2’s most prestigious tournaments.
MOUZ, ranked as the second-best team globally, suffered consecutive defeats that left the esports community stunned. Their journey began with a surprising loss to Virtus.pro, followed by a devastating 13-10 defeat to FaZe Clan on Ancient. The German organization’s struggles were particularly given their status as championship contenders entering the Austin Major. Similarly, Team Liquid’s campaign started disastrously with losses to rising underdog Lynn Vision Gaming and The MongolZ, the latter delivering a commanding 13-7 victory on Ancient.
The implications of these early defeats cannot be overstated. In the Swiss system format employed at the Major, teams with 0-2 records face immediate elimination with one more loss. For organizations of MOUZ and Liquid’s caliber, this represents not just a tournament disappointment but a potential career-defining moment for players and coaching staff. The pressure intensified as both teams realized they would face each other in a do-or-die elimination match, guaranteeing that one of these powerhouse organizations would exit the Major before reaching the playoffs at Austin’s Moody Center.
The Elimination Battle: MOUZ Survives Against All Odds
The inevitable clash between MOUZ and Team Liquid materialized as the ultimate elimination showdown, with both teams carrying 0-2 records into their Swiss Round 3 encounter. The best-of-three series became a grueling test of mental fortitude and tactical adaptation, lasting over three hours in what would become one of the tournament’s most dramatic matches.
MOUZ opened strongly on Dust2, Liquid’s map pick, securing a convincing 13-8 victory behind standout performances from torzsi, who delivered a memorable P250 quad kill in the opening round. However, Team Liquid responded emphatically on their chosen battleground of Nuke, dominating with a 13-4 scoreline as ultimate posted exceptional statistics with a 1.46 rating and 97.8 average damage per round.
MOUZ (Image via Getty)The series culminated on Mirage in what became an instant classic. Regulation play ended deadlocked at 12-12, forcing the match into overtime. The tension escalated through double overtime as both teams traded crucial rounds. MOUZ’s Spinx and Torzsi stepped up in pivotal moments, while Brollan delivered a game-changing clutch that broke Liquid’s momentum. Despite strong individual performances from Liquid’s ultimate and Twistzz, the North American squad couldn’t convert critical post-plant situations in overtime, ultimately falling 22-19.
Tournament Implications and Looking Forward
MOUZ’s dramatic survival came at the cost of eliminating Team Liquid from the Major entirely. The victory moved MOUZ into the 1-2 bracket, where they faced a scheduled matchup against 3DMAX on June 14th. Meanwhile, other tournament storylines developed as Team Spirit and FURIA became the first teams to secure playoff qualification with perfect 3-0 records in Stage 3.
The eliminations highlighted the unpredictable nature of Major tournaments, where even the most favored teams can face early exits. For Team Liquid, the elimination marked another disappointing Major campaign, while MOUZ’s survival represented a crucial lifeline in their championship aspirations, though they remained in a precarious position requiring additional victories to reach the playoffs.
