The champions of CS:GO’s final event, MOUZ, encountered a significant obstacle on their journey to IEM Sydney this week when their Finnish star player, Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo, faced visa issues that delayed his arrival in Australia. Uncertainty loomed over his attendance, prompting MOUZ to turn to their academy roster for assistance, which led to the discovery of another potential star.
Bram “Nexius” Campana, who had been playing for MOUZ NXT in recent matches against lower-tier European teams, found himself thrust into international LAN competition, thousands of miles away from home. Remarkably, he performed exceptionally well, contributing to MOUZ’s 2-1 victory over NAVI and securing a place in Sydney’s playoffs.
Nexius shared his experience, stating that he had only been informed a week before the event about the visa issues affecting Jimpphat. In response, MOUZ asked him to prepare his visa and be ready to step in if the issues persisted. With just two days of practice with the team, Nexius traveled to Australia and excelled in MOUZ’s two wins. Notably, he had to adapt to a different in-game role, substituting for Jimpphat.
Despite the role change, Nexius credited the team for his success, emphasizing the freedom and support they provided. He mentioned that he didn’t feel nervous or stressed, thanks to their approach and encouragement.
Nexius also praised the team’s energy during their match against NAVI, where they had a strong performance on Ancient to secure their spot in the Aware Super Theatre this weekend. While nerves were a factor, the MOUZ team provided reassurance and advice to keep the pressure from becoming overwhelming.
MOUZ NXT has a track record of discovering and nurturing talent, and Nexius has been a standout performer with a 1.09 average rating over the past three months, according to HLTV. The supportive atmosphere within the squad and the freedom granted to players have been key factors in their success.
Nexius acknowledged that his role with the main squad in Sydney is not guaranteed, pending the resolution of Jimpphat’s visa issues. Nevertheless, he emphasized that his main goal was to enjoy the experience and play without pressure.
MOUZ is set to face BetBoom in the upper bracket final on October 18, with a victory securing them a spot in the semi-finals. Their performance with Nexius standing in suggests that they have the potential to succeed even under these circumstances.