Falcons defeat MOUZ to clinch EPL S22 playoff berth

Falcons defeat MOUZ to clinch EPL S22 playoff berth

Falcons have become the second team to secure a spot in the ESL Pro League Season 22 playoffs after edging out MOUZ in a hard-fought three-map series (13-9 on Ancient, 3-13 on Inferno, 13-7 on Nuke). 

Match summary & key moments

• The first map, Ancient, went to Falcons 13-9, giving them early momentum.

• MOUZ responded decisively on Inferno, winning 13-3 and dominating throughout.

• In the decider, Nuke, Falcons regained control, finishing 13-7 to seal the series.

Though their performance slipped on Inferno, Falcons prevailed overall. As NiKo reflected post-match:

“It was a hard match to play, and we weren’t at our best. Apart from Ancient, we were really off today.” 

This win gives Falcons a 5–4 lead over MOUZ in their 2025 head-to-head record — their ninth meeting of the year. 

One notable struggle on MOUZ’s Inferno pick: Falcons lost several favorable scenarios (for example, a 2-vs-5 post-plant) and kyxsan, their in-game leader, ended the map with zero kills, a 0.23 rating, and –13.94% in round swing. 

Broader context & related developments

• Earlier, in the Swiss stage, Falcons defeated Natus Vincere (NAVI) 2-0 (Nuke and Ancient OT) to begin Stage 2 with a strong showing.

• The showdown vs. MOUZ was framed as the decisive battle for a playoff slot: “The other playoff spot to be doled out will go to the winner of MOUZ’s bout against Falcons” per the tournament preview. 

• A related story focuses on Falcons’ AWPer m0NESY. Danish player TeSeS said:

  “m0NESY is going to have a new, higher ceiling when he finds himself again.” 

• Also, Stage 2 of EPL S22 has produced highlight plays, including clutch moments by kyousuke and game-turning sequences by m0NESY and others. 

Implications & what’s next

By clinching a playoff spot, Falcons confirm themselves among the top teams in ESL Pro League S22. They continue to showcase their depth—even when one map goes wrong, they can rebound.

MOUZ, having lost this critical match, will now watch whether they can still secure a wildcard or alternate route, depending on how the remaining Swiss matches play out.