The MongolZ coach maaRaa to miss EPL Season 23 playoffs and BLAST Open Rotterdam

The MongolZ coach maaRaa to miss EPL Season 23 playoffs and BLAST Open Rotterdam

The MongolZ will have to compete without their head coach, Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat, during two important upcoming Counter-Strike tournaments. The organization confirmed that maaRaa will be unable to attend the LAN playoffs of ESL Pro League Season 23 as well as the upcoming BLAST Open Rotterdam event, though he will continue supporting the roster remotely. 

Despite the absence of their coach on site, The MongolZ have already secured a place in the playoffs of ESL Pro League Season 23, which will be held in front of a live audience after the earlier online stages of the competition. The Mongolian team earned their arena appearance by successfully navigating Stage 2 of the tournament, continuing a strong run that has seen them remain competitive against several top international squads. 

According to statements shared by the team, maaRaa will stay involved with the squad through remote communication while they compete on LAN. Although he will not be physically present with the players, he will remain in contact with the lineup and continue to provide strategic input and preparation support throughout the events. 

The coach’s absence comes at a crucial moment for The MongolZ. The ESL Pro League Season 23 playoffs bring together the eight best teams from the tournament’s earlier stages to compete in a single-elimination bracket for the title. The playoffs are set to take place in Sweden and feature high-profile matchups between several leading teams in the global Counter-Strike scene. 

Among the quarter-final pairings is a clash between Natus Vincere and The MongolZ, a matchup that carries additional storylines after the teams’ previous encounters earlier in the season. NAVI will be looking to bounce back after losing to the Mongolian squad at PGL Cluj-Napoca earlier in the year, while The MongolZ aim to continue their impressive performances against tier-one opposition. 

The playoffs will also feature other notable matches. Spirit are scheduled to face Astralis, while MOUZ will take on FUT and Aurora will meet Legacy. These teams advanced through the demanding group and elimination stages of the league, which features dozens of top-level organizations battling across multiple phases before the arena finals. 

ESL Pro League is widely regarded as one of the premier competitions in professional Counter-Strike, bringing together leading teams from around the world in a season-long league format before culminating in a LAN playoff stage. The tournament has been running since 2015 and remains one of the most prestigious circuits in the esport ecosystem. 

For The MongolZ, reaching the playoffs represents another milestone in what has been a steady rise for the organization. Over the past year, the team has begun to establish itself as a regular contender at major international events. Their deep run at PGL Cluj-Napoca earlier in 2026, where they reached the latter stages of the tournament, demonstrated that the roster can compete with the elite teams of the scene. 

However, competing at the highest level without their coach physically present may present additional challenges. Coaches often play a key role during LAN tournaments by assisting with preparation, providing tactical adjustments between maps, and supporting players during high-pressure moments. While remote communication can help mitigate the impact, the absence of an on-site coach can still affect a team’s workflow and in-game decision-making.

After ESL Pro League Season 23 concludes, The MongolZ are also expected to compete at BLAST Open Rotterdam, another major event on the Counter-Strike calendar. That tournament will gather top teams from around the world only days after the EPL finals, creating a demanding schedule for participants. Unfortunately for the Mongolian squad, maaRaa will also be unable to attend that event in person. 

Even so, the team remains focused on maintaining momentum and delivering strong performances at both competitions. With remote guidance from their coach and growing experience on big stages, The MongolZ will aim to prove that they can continue their upward trajectory in the international Counter-Strike scene despite the unexpected setback.