xertioN Leads the Way Again as Rebuilt MOUZ Defeat G2 at PGL Astana

xertioN Leads the Way Again as Rebuilt MOUZ Defeat G2 at PGL Astana

MOUZ continued their promising start at PGL Astana 2026 by defeating G2 in a three-map series, taking another important step forward with their revamped roster. The European side won 2-1 after dropping Dust2 14-16, answering back on Mirage 13-10, and then closing the match with a convincing 13-7 victory on Inferno. 

The central story once again was Dorian “xertioN” Berman. Recently moved into the in-game leader role, the Israeli rifler finished as MOUZ’s highest-rated player for the second match in a row. Against G2, he posted a 1.29 rating, 57 kills, 95.7 ADR, and produced a dominant 20-4 CT-side performance on Inferno that helped MOUZ take control of the decider. 

This performance followed his standout showing in MOUZ’s opening match against Gentle Mates, where he recorded a 1.52 rating in a narrow 2-1 win. That debut was not fully convincing from a team perspective, as MOUZ struggled on their T sides and needed overtime on Nuke before eventually sealing the series on Ancient. Still, xertioN’s individual level gave the new lineup a strong foundation from the start. 

The victory over G2 was another early sign that MOUZ may be adapting quickly after major roster changes. In April, the organization benched Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin and Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo, promoted Adrian “xelex” Vincze from MOUZ NXT, and brought in Justinas “jL” Lekavicius on a short-term loan from Natus Vincere. As part of the reshuffle, xertioN took over leadership duties from Brollan. 

Against G2, xelex had an uneven start on Dust2, where he was heavily targeted while adjusting to new anchor responsibilities. However, he recovered well and played a key role on Mirage, finishing that map with a strong 1.67 rating. jL, meanwhile, had a quieter series overall, ending with a 0.95 rating, but his arrival remains part of MOUZ’s attempt to add experience, communication, and stage presence to the team. 

G2 had their moments, especially on Dust2, where they edged out the opener in overtime. But MOUZ showed better resilience across the series. They came back from a 7-10 deficit on Mirage and then dominated Inferno, where xertioN and Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás gave the team enough firepower to shut the door. torzsi was also excellent statistically, finishing the match with 61 kills and a 1.27 rating. 

After the match, xertioN said he had initially been concerned that becoming an IGL might make him a burden for the team, but he now feels comfortable in the role after two matches. He also explained that he is calling on both sides, which makes the role demanding, but said the transition has helped him understand the game at a deeper level. 

For MOUZ, the result is encouraging, but the sample size remains small. The lineup is still new, and HLTV’s earlier analysis pointed out that while the roster has a workable balance, some maps could still create role difficulties. At the same time, the team kept its core structure around xertioN, torzsi, Spinx, and coach Dennis “sycrone” Nielsen, making this more of a major adjustment than a complete rebuild. 

MOUZ’s 2-0 start at PGL Astana does not prove that the new project is already fully ready to challenge the world’s best teams. But two hard-fought wins, two top-of-the-board performances from their new captain, and a strong response under pressure against G2 suggest that the early signs are positive.