The MongolZ etched their names into Counter-Strike history after winning the Esports World Cup 2025 CS2 tournament with a resounding 3-0 sweep of Aurora Gaming in the grand final.
Coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 win against their former kryptonite Team Vitality, the Mongolian squad fended off the all-Turkish team in overtime on Mirage (16-14) before taking Dust 2 (13-9) and absolutely dominating on Nuke (13-4).
The MongolZ’s lopsided win in the final not only silenced skeptics but also made them the first Asian team in modern Counter-Strike history to secure a legitimate S-tier title in 15 years.
The path to glory was anything but easy for the Mongolian squad. With EWC 2025 running on a ruthless single-elimination format, every match carried do-or-die stakes.
The MongolZ began by sweeping GamerLegion 2-0 and edging out the gritty 3DMAX 2-1. Come the semifinals, they delivered another stunner over Vitality that previously bested them nine times in a row, including in the Austin Major grand final. The Mongolians proved that their 2-0 win against the French side at BLAST Bounty Season 2 was not just a stroke of luck.
The MongolZ’s journey at EWC 2025 concluded with a win that resonated beyond the screens, as it has become a defining moment of national pride for Mongolia and joy for Asian Counter-Strike. The instant bLitz and the crew sealed their sweep of Aurora, celebrations erupted across the country, especially in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Fans packed into watch parties, their cheers echoing through the streets.
Even Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar joined in on the excitement, watching and celebrating the team’s triumph, a clear sign of just how much the victory meant to the whole nation.
The MongolZ shared a heartfelt message on social media, dedicating their historic win to the families of the players and the fans who stood by them. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the families of our players. You raised these kind and healthy young boys. Today, they are coming home to you with the EWC trophy. This victory belongs to you just as much as it belongs to them. Your love and support made this moment possible,” the team said.
“Thank you to everyone who believed in us and cheered us on. Perhaps you are happy we won because deep down, you wanted to see that hard work, dedication, respect, and love for teammates truly lead to success.”
Individually, players shone as well, with Techno4k beaming the brightest to win the tournament MVP award. In an interview with HLTV, the sensational rifler said that winning the EWC is “just the beginning,” hinting at a future where The MongolZ could become perennial contenders on the world stage.
The team walked away with $500,000 top prize and 1,000 club points, but their triumph’s true weight lies in its symbolic value. Beyond the trophy and prize money, The MongolZ’s EWC victory is proof that their small but passionate esports scene can stand tall against the giants. It’s also a reminder that esports, much like traditional sports, can ignite pride, passion, and dreams of a nation.
