Outsiders make Major finals
In a top four that nobody was expecting coming into IEM Rio, Outsiders and MOUZ matched up to determine who would make their claim for the title of Major winner. Both ranked outside the top five, these two teams took a long journey up to the top of Rio, but they deserved every single moment of it. Unfortunately, only one could make it across the second-to-last hurdle.
The BO3 started on MOUZ's pick of Ancient, an interesting choice that MOUZ hasn't seemed entirely comfortable with. However, they quickly shut down skeptics taking the first four rounds on their T-side. After Dzhami "Jame" Ali's side was able to pick up all the bits and bobs they desired, rounds quickly started tallying in their favor. Although MOUZ were on the edge of winning multiple rounds, they were only able to secure one more T-side, putting up a decent tally of five.
On the flip side was a completely different story, however. At first, MOUZ won the pistol (thanks to an Outsiders tech issue) and the following two, bringing the game ever closer. But like the first half, once Outsiders got rifles in their hands, rounds just fell their way. Taking six of the last eight rounds of play, the CIS squad dismantled MOUZ's defense, snatching their opponent's map pick 16-10.
After a successful first map, Outsiders were then able to take home field advantage on the battleground of Overpass. MOUZ picked up their CT-side pistol as well as the conversion before Outsiders struck back. Back and forth rounds seemed to give Outsiders the advantage on the CT-sided map until Christopher "dexter" Nong's side strung together four at the end to take a 9-6 lead at the half.
As soon as Outsiders took the CT-side, the game started rolling in their favor. First, the pistol round, then the conversion, then the gun rounds started falling their way. The international lineup of MOUZ was stopped at every turn. Finally, dexter's side was able to take a T-round in the seventh round of the half. Another followed, but an eco win from Outsiders plus an incredible 1v3 from Jame put Outsiders three rounds ahead once more. However, a tenacious MOUZ ran it back all the way to 16-14, stealing their opponent's map pick right back.
When these two played previous in the Swiss Stage of the Major, Outsiders won 2-0 on Overpass and Inferno. With Inferno being the last map, MOUZ would have to overcome all their demons to win the bo3. Starting on the T-side, MOUZ won the pistol and the round following, but once Outsiders got their hands on real guns, they made a mark. They took seven rounds before MOUZ mustered a response with four of their own. Outsiders finished the half with the last two rounds, seeking out a small 9-6 lead before shifting to the attacker side.
Outsiders came out swinging, ready for a grand finals appearance. They took the first three to make it 12-6, but MOUZ's defense answered back. Unfortunately, Outsider's T-side just proved too suffocating as the CIS team rolled over their international competition to win 16-7.
OutsidersMOUZ| Outsiders |
K - D | +/- | ADR | KAST | Rating 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dzhami 'Jame' Ali |
65 - 35 | +30 | 79.0 | 81.0% | 1.40 |
| Petr 'fame' Bolyshev |
58 - 42 | +16 | 81.6 | 73.4% | 1.23 |
| Evgenii 'FL1T' Lebedev |
59 - 43 | +16 | 77.8 | 81.0% | 1.18 |
| David 'n0rb3r7' Danielyan |
48 - 44 | +4 | 66.5 | 77.2% | 1.04 |
 Alexey 'Qikert' Golubev |
41 - 47 | -6 | 69.4 | 77.2% | 1.03 |
| MOUZ |
K - D | +/- | ADR | KAST | Rating 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 David 'frozen' Čerňanský |
44 - 46 | -2 | 69.0 | 69.6% | 1.00 |
 Ádám 'torzsi' Torzsás |
45 - 51 | -6 | 60.3 | 67.1% | 0.95 |
 Dorian 'xertioN' Berman |
44 - 58 | -14 | 66.6 | 57.0% | 0.85 |
 Christopher 'dexter' Nong |
44 - 59 | -15 | 68.3 | 67.1% | 0.82 |
 Jon 'JDC' de Castro |
32 - 60 | -28 | 48.5 | 62.0% | 0.65 |
