Look Sports Media – Dorian ‘xertioN’ Berman, the dynamic entry rifler for Mouz, didn’t hold back his satisfaction after a pivotal victory against FaZe, declaring, "It was nice to send FaZe home." This statement resonates deeply within the Counter-Strike community, which has keenly observed Mouz’s journey, often marked by tantalizing proximity to a breakthrough prestige trophy, particularly after a crushing defeat to FaZe in Budapest last year. In an exclusive conversation with looksports.media, xertioN shed light on the team’s evolution, their recent triumphs, and the tangible steps they are taking to finally cross the finish line.
Mouz’s path to the playoffs has been nothing short of impressive, navigating a challenging lower bracket run that included victories over Aurora, FaZe, and Falcons. Reflecting on their performance, xertioN expressed growing confidence. "Feeling good. I feel like we have grown with each game. We’re playing better and better," he stated, highlighting the team’s upward trajectory. The recent 2-0 sweep against Falcons, particularly in a fiercely contested series, served as a powerful declaration of their current form.
The Falcons match was a testament to Mouz’s newfound resilience, marked by numerous rounds won from seemingly disadvantaged positions. Berman described it as an "intense game" where momentum proved crucial. "The situations that we had a disadvantage in, we managed to turn over based on the momentum we had," he explained, crediting their ability to make the right plays under pressure. This clutch factor, he believes, is a significant step forward for the squad.
Related Post
The sting of the Budapest Major exit in 2024, where FaZe eliminated them, still lingers. xertioN recalled the team’s devastation, admitting it took him "a couple of days to realise we lost." That tournament, being the year’s final major and especially significant for teammate torzsi, left the team in "a big shock." The recent triumph over FaZe, therefore, carried a strong sense of retribution. "They sent us home in the past many times in 2024. They have also sent us home in the Major, so it felt nice to send them home for once," Berman affirmed, noting the convincing fashion of their win signaled Mouz’s improved preparation for the current year.
A persistent question surrounding Mouz has been their consistency, particularly on grand stages. xertioN candidly attributed much of this to team personalities. "Our inconsistency comes more based off personalities. We just have a team with a bit more quiet people than usual," he revealed, explaining that this can sometimes lead to communication issues on the server. While acknowledging the inherent pressure of playing before large crowds, he stressed that stage performance itself is no longer the primary hurdle. Instead, the challenge lies in maintaining peak performance against the world’s top two teams, a scenario where Mouz has historically struggled.
Addressing the need for a leader in high-pressure moments, xertioN expressed his ambition to fill that role. While his communication remains consistent between online and stage games, he admitted his individual gameplay can fluctuate under the added stress of worrying about the entire team. "This year, definitely, my goal is to perform better individually to help the team win finals," he declared, taking full responsibility for past shortcomings and vowing to be the player who guides them to victory.
The discussion also touched upon the perception that xertioN often bears too much of the aggressive playmaking burden. He acknowledged the team’s naturally more passive player base but emphasized their collective effort to cultivate a more proactive approach. "In practise, I’ve been taking a bit of a step back sometimes to allow people to practise their own moves," he shared, illustrating their commitment to finding balance. He highlighted torzsi’s increased entry fragging against FaZe and Falcons as a positive sign, indicating a more distributed aggressive presence.
Mouz’s strategic map pool adjustments, particularly the return of Dust II in place of Anubis, also came under scrutiny. While keeping their options open for a seven-map pool, xertioN expressed satisfaction with Dust II’s comeback. Despite early 2025 struggles, the team found their rhythm on the map towards the end of the year. Their recent win over Falcons on Dust II, a team known for its strong performance on the map, bolstered their confidence. Berman praised Brollan’s crucial mid-round calls on the T-side, underscoring the team’s ongoing efforts to refine their Dust II strategy.
Ultimately, xertioN believes the "different Mouz" of this year is a product of continuous growth. "We are still very young, and every match we lose, every match we win, we are growing with it always," he articulated. The team’s commitment to improvement is evident in their rigorous training regimen. "We are working extremely hard for the last few months, more than we have ever done in this team," he revealed, optimistic that their dedication will translate into consistent playoff appearances and, eventually, the coveted trophies that remain their ultimate goal.
Leave a Comment