ESL Pro League grand finals set as Liquid beat Mouz, NRG fall to G2

The championship round for ESL Pro League Season 9 has been officially determined following intense semifinal battles.

In an unexpected development, North American powerhouse Team Liquid will compete against a revitalized G2 Esports lineup. Both squads aim to conclude their impressive tournament runs with the championship trophy.

Liquid secured their finals position by delivering a decisive win against Mousesports. The favored North American team entered the competition with high expectations and has consistently met those standards throughout the event.

The opening match against Mouz unfolded on Overpass, featuring another standout performance from Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski. While EliGE has been dominant throughout the entire competition, his impact became particularly crucial during Liquid’s quarterfinal encounter with Astralis. His exceptional form continued here, leading the team with 22 eliminations and a commanding 96.5 average damage per round. This individual excellence drove Liquid to a convincing 16-8 start in the series.

The competition then shifted to Nuke, where Liquid rapidly established a substantial 13-2 advantage. Following the mid-game break, Özgür “woxic” Eker single-handedly attempted to revive Mouz’s chances, forcing an overtime situation. Despite Woxic emerging as the most influential player during this map, Liquid ultimately demonstrated superior team coordination to secure a 19-17 victory and claim their grand finals spot.

In the opposite bracket segment, G2 eliminated NRG Esports from contention.

The series commenced strongly for the French organization with Kenny “kennyS” Schrub displaying peak form, helping G2 establish an early advantage on Dust 2. NRG organized a counteroffensive to seize the lead, but Richard “shox” Papillon executed critical plays to secure the map.

NRG responded decisively in the second contest on Train. Although this battlefield traditionally favors defensive setups, a monumental clutch play from Damian “daps” Steele ignited a powerful offensive half for NRG. Vincent “Brehze” Cayonte maintained this momentum, enabling NRG to equalize the series 1-1 with a 16-7 triumph.

Despite apparent momentum shifting directions, NRG encountered a decisive setback on Overpass. An explosive opening from François “AmaNEk” Delaunay powered G2 to ten consecutive rounds and a commanding 12-3 halftime lead. NRG maintained competitive pressure but never threatened to reclaim control, ultimately surrendering the series with a 16-10 defeat.

Where do NRG Esports and Mousesports go from here?

While Team Liquid and G2 Esports continue their championship journeys, both NRG Esports and Mousesports now face critical evaluation points in their competitive trajectories.

NRG has demonstrated remarkable stability since integrating Tarik “tarik” Celik into their lineup. Although securing a premier live event victory has remained elusive, the team has delivered strong performances at multiple prestigious tournaments, including bronze medal placements at StarSeries & i-League CS:GO Season 7 and the ECS Season 7 Finals. The squad consistently encounters challenges advancing beyond third position, yet maintains reliable performances under high-pressure scenarios.

Despite legitimate concerns surrounding NRG’s tournament preparation due to captain Daps’ impending roster deactivation, the team exhibited solid fundamentals. Many enthusiasts anticipate Peter “stanislaw” Jarguz’s integration with NRG, though he faces significant expectations in filling leadership responsibilities.

Regarding Mousesports, the organization is rapidly reclaiming its status among Europe’s elite competitors.

The franchise executed a comprehensive roster reconstruction after failing to qualify for the IEM Katowice Major’s Europe Minor Championship and has shown consistent improvement since. While the team hasn’t maintained an extensive competitive schedule, Mouz demonstrated formidable capabilities during their debut at Intel Extreme Masters XIV Sydney and captured first place at DreamHack Open Tours 2019.

The squad must sustain their impressive form as they approach a demanding July schedule featuring ESL One: Cologne and the Berlin Major’s Europe Minor Championship.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » ESL Pro League grand finals set as Liquid beat Mouz, NRG fall to G2 Analyzing NRG and Mousesports' tournament performances and future competitive prospects in CS:GO