Grim after defeating MOUZ: “If we can beat them, We can beat anyone here”
Following NRG's 2:1 victory over MOUZ in their opening match at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026, Michael "Grim" Wince stated that the win was crucial for the team's mental state. The result earned NRG approximately 130 VRS points, providing a significant boost in their pursuit of a Major qualification.
The Dust2 Momentum Shift
Despite the series win, Grim reflected on a missed opportunity during the first half of Dust2. He noted that NRG could have held a commanding 12:0 lead, but a series of lost clutches allowed MOUZ to stay in the game. Instead, the half ended 11:1, with the only unforced error from NRG occurring late in the period.
However, the player emphasized that the team remained composed. Rather than letting the momentum shift affect their focus, NRG continued to play their own brand of Counter-Strike 2, recognizing that MOUZ's success was driven by individual plays rather than overall dominance.
The hallzerk Factor
The tournament also marked a reunion for Grim and his former Complexity teammate, Håkon "hallzerk" Fjærli. It was Michael "Grim" Wince who personally recommended the Norwegian AWPer to NRG management, believing he could elevate the roster.
After a disappointing exit from the EWC open qualifiers due to a lack of practice, the team has finally found their rhythm. While Grim was careful not to claim they are now the best team in the world, he praised hallzerk as a vital addition to the squad.
Looking Ahead
Despite the high-profile win, NRG is avoiding overconfidence. The team's strategy is to take the tournament one match at a time. Defeating MOUZ—currently ranked second in the VRS—is seen as the ultimate litmus test for their potential at this event.
NRG will next face the winner of the NAVI vs. Aurora matchup on September 18 at 17:00 CEST.
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