Will The MongolZ or Aurora be crowned CS2 Esports World Cup Champions in Riyadh? – Grand Final Preview

We are down to the final day at the Esports World Cup CS2, and what a revelation it has been to see both favourites bow out in the Semi-Final.

Funnily enough, the matches are as foretold, but only the labels have shifted. Vitality will be taking on Falcons in the third-place decider, and Aurora will be meeting The MongolZ in the Grand-Final. Before both the matches unfold, let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Vitality vs Falcons

A matchup long anticipated, simmering beneath the surface. With FaZe nowhere near Vitality’s calibre at present, and Spirit caught once again in the throes of transition, Falcons might be the only side capable of mounting a serious challenge to Vitality. Falcons are still in the nascent stage of their project, yet already gathering more experience with each outing. Vitality, by contrast, appear caught in a slump, and look a shadow of their former selves. That makes this duel a curious one for me, but very significant for dictating out the form for Falcons for the rest of the season.

The MongolZ stand as the only team who have consistently defeated Vitality this year, and after months of others playing catch-up, Falcons now may finally emerge as a legitimate contender. The history between these two speaks volumes: three encounters, all pushed to the distance. At IEM Melbourne 2025, a BO5 Grand-Final stretched to the limit with Vitality scraping through 22-20; at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 1, another BO5 that demanded all five maps; and at IEM Dallas 2025, a BO3 that once again went the distance. But those clashes were fought without kyousuke, and with him now in the fold, the script may well be different.

The MongolZ vs Aurora

This is a clash that carries a certain gravitas for Asian fans, always framed as Mongols vs Turks, history is always created in the server. Both sides bring legacy to the table, but this occasion is made even more singular: the first Grand-Final in Tier 1 Counter-Strike in over six years featuring mono-national lineups. Both The MongolZ and Aurora have been pining for a Tier 1 trophy, and the EWC 2025 would be a glittering prize for either camp.

Looking at recent encounters, The MongolZ have usually had the upper hand: victories at IEM Rio 2024, IEM Katowice 2025, IEM Dallas 2025, and BLAST Bounty 2025 Season 2 Finals. Aurora’s lone triumph came at PGL Astana 2025, eking out an overtime win on the second map. This BO5 Grand-Final, however, is less about old records and more about endurance, a crucible to test the depth of each side’s map pool. The MongolZ, battle-hardened by their recent BO5 run, hold a quiet edge. Yet Aurora’s wealth of experience cannot be discounted; they bring the poise of veterans who know how to weather the storm.

As for me, my heart leans toward The MongolZ. They have been the perennial gatekeepers this year, and this is their shot to a trophy. It feels overdue for them to finally claim silverware, lest they be remembered only as wardens of trophies meant for others.