The MongolZ are set to take to the LANXESS Arena at IEM Cologne 2025 in a couple of days’ time, facing off against NAVI for the first time since PGL Astana 2025.
Leading the charge for The MongolZ is Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold, a two-year veteran of the roster. Ahead of the IEM Cologne 2025 Playoffs, we had the chance to speak with Techno to assess the team’s form so far, Asian CS in general, and some thoughts on his team’s chances against NAVI. You can find the full interview in video and text form below:
Techno on The MongolZ at IEM Cologne 2025 so far
Sophie McCarthy: So the first thing I wanted to touch on was Asian Counter-Strike. You guys have been making massive strides lately. How close do you think Asian Counter-Strike is as a whole to being able to compete with these top teams from Europe?
Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold: Comparing to last year, it’s really growing up and improving. As you can see in the start of the season, the FISSURE Playground, the first tournament of the season and the title went to the champion [TYLOO]. Also, we cannot forget Lynn Vision. Yeah, they’re really good in the last Major, and yeah, we’re really going strong.
Sophie: Just to talk about the Major very quickly, you guys got second, which is an incredible placement. How does that change your expectations for tournaments for the rest of this year?
Techno: Technically, we went to the Finals. It means we’re the second-best team in the world. And we just, we know we can do more. And we got our confidence, yeah.
Sophie: Absolutely, I don’t know if you remember the last time we met was actually at the Thunderpick World Championship in 2024. It’s honestly been amazing to see you guys come so far. So, I just wanted to talk about this event in particular. You seem really comfortable in the games that we’ve seen so far, so how was your preparation for it over the player break?
Techno: Actually, we didn’t do any practice yet, yeah.
Sophie: Oh, ok.
Techno: Absolutely nothing, yeah.
Sophie: And yet you’re still this comfortable!
Techno: Actually we came here and just opened the game, yeah.
Sophie: I mean, how does that feel then that you can just come into an IEM, no prep, and here you are in the Playoffs?
Techno: As a player, that’s not a good thing. We should practice at least a little bit. However, we just played our game, got ourselves… everything goes fine.
Sophie: Next up, you’re into the Quarter-Finals. You’ve got NAVI coming up next. How are you feeling about that series?
Techno: NAVI made a roster change. jL replaced with makazze. I think we have advantage because they’re there with one new player. Also, one rookie, and jL was the Major MVP. He was a very experienced player and I think it’s a good advantage for us.
Sophie: So I just had one last question for you. We did want to talk about Overpass. We noticed that you guys, you did get it through the veto against Vitality. So how do you feel personally playing on Overpass?
Techno: Personally, I don’t really like that map too much. Virtus.pro had Jame. We lost so many times against them. On Overpass, yeah. They always picked it against us and it’s a annoying map. Their playstyle, you know, it’s unpredictable, all the time. Personally, because of this, I really don’t like this map. But I think this time we became more experienced and we improved, and we can figure this map out.
Sophie: I mean, now is the time to do it right? Well, thank you so much for your time Techno and good luck in the next stage.
