NAVI Reaches EPL Season 23 Semi-Finals

NAVI are through to the Semi-Finals of the ESL Pro League Season 23, beating Asian powerhouse MongolZ with a 2-0 scoreline. Rocky start on Map 1, followed by utter domination in Map 2, capped the MongolZ journey here as NAVI continue to build on their solid form.

VETO

• Natus Vincere removed Overpass
• The MongolZ removed Anubis
• Natus Vincere picked Ancient
• The MongolZ picked Mirage
• Natus Vincere removed Nuke
• The MongolZ removed Inferno
• Dust2 was left over

Map 1: Ancient; Pick: NAVI; Winner: NAVI

Starting on the defense with a pistol round win, the MongolZ put NAVI to kick off their map pick. The proficiency of both teams in Ancient saw them post streaks of rounds as neither side was able to build momentum freely. NAVI levelled the scoreline to make it 5-5 before MongolZ won the final two rounds to edge out a narrow lead before switching sides with a 7-5 scoreline. Starting on the more favourable side of Ancient, NAVI levelled the scoreline with the conversion of the pistol before hitting double digits with MongolZ trailing at this point. Failing to pick up momentum on their offense, NAVI steamrolled them with the room space given to them to close the half with a 13-11 scoreline. Recording the highest impact, makazze pulled in 20 kills for his side to round out a solid NAVI performance in the playoffs.

Map 2: Mirage; Pick: MongolZ; Winner: NAVI

Following a hard-fought win on Map 1, NAVI dominated MongolZ on their defense to start the game with a 6-0 scoreline before MongolZ could put a round on the board. Losing their first round, NAVI hit back immediately in the following round to continue their momentum until the final round of the half, which the Asian side picked up to trail with a 10-2 scoreline before switching sides. MongolZ doubled their rounds by winning the pistol, but NAVI converting the first full buy round put a stop to the MongolZ comeback. Back-to-back three consecutive rounds to close the map gave NAVI a quick conclusion to the final map as they sent MongolZ home with a dominant performance, with makazze topping the charts yet again with 23 kills.

Losing Senzu is costing MongolZ dearly, and failing to replace him has only resulted in inconsistencies since the beginning of the season. While they are known to adapt well, only time can tell if they can reach the heights they did back in 2025.