Although MOUZ initially hit a low point at the start of 2026, they quickly regained form in the second half of the year, first securing the championship at BLAST Bounty Season 2, then reaching the quarterfinals at EWC, and finally defeating Falcons at BLAST Open Porto to lock in a semifinal spot.
Before the semifinal against Vitality or FURIA, torzsi gave an interview, talking about his process of regaining form, the addition of two newcomers, and how the current MOUZ team is once again aiming to challenge the world's elite while managing expectations.
Q：The season started very well with the BLAST Bounty win, followed by your participation in the EWC. So far, how do you feel about everything?
torzsi: The season started off really well with a win at the bounty tournament, and I think it gave us a lot of confidence. It feels great to be starting off the season this way.
Of course, EWC was a relatively low point for us, but not just because we stopped at the quarterfinals. For a team with two young rookies, reaching the quarterfinals is actually a good result, though I feel we didn't showcase our best selves.
If we had reached the quarterfinals but no further after playing a better game, it might have felt different. But the manner in which we lost wasn't good enough, and even the path to the knockout stage wasn't exactly ideal.
Q: xertioN has taken over the IGL role for several months now, and you've also regained your form during this period. Is this more because the tactical system has started to adjust around you, or is it due to your own personal efforts?
torzsi: both. he's doing an excellent job as a commanding presence, but at the same time, I've also been working hard on adjusting my condition and mindset.
The beginning of this year wasn't particularly smooth; I felt a bit lost, as if I'd fallen down a rabbit hole—it was a very difficult period.
However, I later put a lot of effort into pulling myself out of that state and recapturing the joy of enjoying competitions. I feel that I've achieved this now—I'm starting to enjoy the game again.
The chemistry between me and xertioN is also excellent, as we've been playing together for quite some time. We both know what the other likes to do, so he also knows how to get me into the most comfortable and effective positions for playmaking.
Q: You mentioned mental adjustment. Do you think resolving psychological issues comes first, leading to improved performance, or do you also need good match performances to help yourself recover?
torzsi: I was on the verge of burnout back then, and I realized I had to address this issue.
So I spent a lot of time working with a sports psychologist, and I'm truly grateful for his help. But most importantly, we first had to recognize the problem. I talked with xertioN and sycrone, who helped me face it and provided the support and patience I needed.
But I think the most crucial point is actually "recognizing the problem," rather than just how much work is done afterward. Winning a few games doesn't solve everything.
Q：PR is the new face of the team. What are your impressions of him since he joined?
torzsi: He can perform very sharply, which impressed me a lot. He is an outstanding player.
He came from GamerLegion, where he was already one of their best players thanks to his aim and game sense.
He is a remarkably intelligent young man, and I think he genuinely enjoys this game. At his current stage, having such an ability to read the game is incredibly impressive.
Q: He comes from MOUZ NXT just like you, but the difference is that he once played for other teams midway, similar to siuhy. Compared to players like xelex and Jimpphat who were promoted directly from the academy to the main roster, is there any difference for players like siuhy and PR who left and then returned?
torzsi: Actually, that's a pretty difficult question to answer. Because our first generation of NXT had sycrone, and then everyone moved up to the main team one by one.
Since Sycrone has always been with us, we shared the same philosophy from start to finish and clearly understood what kind of players he wanted to develop us into, as well as how he intended to lead the team. So we were completely on the same page back then.
But when siuhy and PR returned from GamerLegion, or when players like xelex were promoted to the main team later on, they had all gone through different rosters and coaching staffs.
So whether it's how they understand things outside of the game or how they collaborate with teammates, clear differences can be seen. We need to teach them MOUZ's own way.
Q：Speaking of xelex, you both share a Hungarian background. Will you take on the role of his mentor now?
torzsi: Yes. We come from the same country, so seeing him make it here, I'm really proud of him.
He now has a really good opportunity to prove himself and strive to become one of the best players in the world. I think he absolutely has the ability to do so.
So whatever help he needs, I will do my best to assist him. If I notice something, I will also directly remind him.
Q: He has undergone many positional adjustments after being promoted to the first team. How do you think he is adapting now? When I interviewed him during Bounty, he himself mentioned that he hasn't reached a sufficiently stable level yet.
torzsi：As you said, he has gone through a lot of changes. I feel he still needs some time to truly adapt to and master all these positions.
You need to know how to position yourself in the best way within the role you take on, and this often requires a significant investment of time.
I still don't feel that he has reached his best, nor do I believe he is currently the best player in these positions, but I don't think we ever made such a demand.
He has been working very hard and making progress, and I think he is doing very well at the moment.
Q: Before these changes occurred, MOUZ had a remarkable 18-month period of excellence, only to see their form dip in the final stages. The CS competitive scene now seems even more intense than during that 18-month span, and you have two young players. How do you view getting back to a position where at least reaching the top four is the standard?
torzsi: Over the past year and a half, we've been doing this very consistently and have always been one of the best teams in the world.
But with two new people joining, we really need to reassess ourselves and slightly lower some expectations.
It's actually really hard to do. When you've been in that position for so long, always so close to a championship, and then the roster undergoes so many changes, you have to lower your expectations.
Although it was the right thing to do, accepting that wasn't easy.
We must give them time to gain experience, so our expectations have indeed lowered somewhat. But we don't want to wait another two or three years for them to grow to that level.
Our most important task now is to help them catch up with our pace as quickly as possible, while ensuring that the existing team members continue to progress.
Q: Once they have truly accumulated enough experience, do you think this iteration of MOUZ will become the strongest roster in the team's history?
torzsi: Yes, I think this is the best roster MOUZ has ever had.
This lineup has huge potential, and we have already proven this at Bounty.
So if we can be given a little more time, I hope by the time we get to Singapore and the Major after that, we can truly reach our peak and show just how strong this team really is.