PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025: Day 1 storylines

PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 might have seemed like an appetiser after the feast that was IEM Katowice 2025, with many top teams opting out, but it is far from the case. It’s a golden opportunity for the teams that have been knocking on the door but never quite stepping through to show their worth. As the third event of the season, the honeymoon phase for new rosters is coming to an end. The time for excuses is running out; now is when teams need to pull up their socks and prove they can stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Vitality and Spirit. The first day has been an eye-opener, shedding light on exactly where teams stand, and here’s what it has revealed.

Astralis is too dependent on device

Nine years in the scene, and if there’s one thing Astralis hasn’t shaken off, it’s their reliance on device. The man has been carrying the team on his back for what feels like an eternity, yet the new wave of riflers still hasn’t stepped up to ease the burden. Their latest loss to paiN wasn’t exactly a shocker, paiN is no pushover, but once again, stavn was nowhere to be found, leaving device to fight a lonely battle. The glory days of the Astralis era are buried deep in the past, and if they don’t sort out their riflers soon, they’ll be spinning their wheels instead of making progress.

Wildcard can prove they are more than Tier-one gatekeepers

Wildcard has been a top 20 team for a while now, but their weight hasn’t been felt in the domain of tier-one. They have been good for a few wins here and there, but never have felt like a real threat to the top teams. They have taken down mibr in the opener, and while they are another team to serve the same storyline, this might be an equally good start for the both of them to prove they can punch above their weights.

Falcons finally takes flight

Well, it’s about time! Falcons have finally spread their wings, securing a LAN victory after taking down ATOX at EPL S20 last year. This time, they handled FlyQuest with ease. And this isn’t some scrappy underdog roster we are talking about; it’s stacked with top-tier talent. The pressure is still sky-high, but with no G2, no Vitality, and no Spirit lurking around, this is the perfect moment to rack up wins and build confidence. Plenty of people might be waiting for them to crash, but I, for one, hope they keep soaring.

You’ll need a microscope to find flaws in The MongolZ

The MongolZ’s rise through the rankings has been a tough pill to swallow for the doubters, but event after event, they’ve left no room for skepticism. They’ve kicked off PGL Cluj-Napoca on the right foot, dispatching Complexity with ease, thanks in no small part to senzu, who’s been putting on a show despite his broken arm. This team is either overhyped or criminally underrated, depending on who you ask. But as the highest-ranked squad at the event, they’re running out of reasons to be doubted. It’s about time people start believing they can go all the way.

EliGE is simply legendary

What a game against SAW! That Ancient map had me laughing the whole way through, EliGE was just that good. At this point, NA riflers should just be packed up and shipped off to EU teams because the potential is clearly there, but it’s being wasted stateside. If anyone still has doubts about EliGE, they need to sit down and rewatch that Ancient performance on repeat. And even if you don’t have doubts, go rewatch it anyway, it was that entertaining. SAW gave FaZe a run for their money on Nuke, but let’s be real: it wouldn’t be a FaZe match without a bit of madness thrown in.

Virtus.Pro still hasn’t found its groove

I don’t want to sell 3DMAX short, they’ve always been an underrated squad, and with bodyy in the mix, they’ve clearly kicked it up a notch. But I still expected more from Virtus.Pro, and they fell flat. Fame, ICY, FL4MUS, these are the guys you count on, yet today, they were the ones sinking to the bottom of the scoreboard. It was a close game, so we can let the first slip-up slide, but they’re backed into a corner now. They can’t afford another misstep.

Spinx is an absolute monster

It’s still early days to gauge Brollan’s calling, but one thing is certain, Spinx is a menace when he finds his rhythm. His struggles in Vitality were clear, and there were those who questioned his move to MOUZ but today, against BIG, he showed what he’s capable of. First, they won the mental battle on Ancient, clawing back from a 12-7 deficit on T-side to steal the game in overtime. Then, they put the final nail in the coffin on Mirage with a dominant 13-5 finish. Maybe in MOUZ, Spinx finally feels like the pressure is off, giving him the perfect chance to revive his form. Only time will tell.

The community has been kind to Valkyries – But for how long?

The thing about narratives is that they change fast, and the one surrounding the Valkyries is starting to take a turn. Sure, they ran into Eternal Fire, a team that’s been on an absolute tear, but patience is wearing thin. This is the moment where they need to shine, to prove they can handle the heat. So far, they’ve played without much weight on their shoulders, but sooner or later, they need to start delivering results. Otherwise, the same community that built them up won’t hesitate to tear them down.