Taking a glance at the list of teams in attendance at PGL Bucharest 2025, there’s a distinct lack of quality at the very top. Vitality. Spirit. MOUZ. All three teams have been Grand Final mainstays throughout 2025. All three teams not heading to Romania to take part in PGL Bucharest 2025.
The same was said about PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, an event won by MOUZ in the absence of the top teams at the time. I get the feeling we just didn’t really know how good MOUZ were back then, making them obvious winners in hindsight. Here, at the upcoming PGL Bucharest 2025, it’s not quite the same case. All of the ‘best’ teams in attendance have shown big flaws throughout this year, meaning we’re essentially guaranteed a set of champions who have endured and overcome painful failure in 2025.
PGL Bucharest 2025’s format can help The MongolZ and EF shake ‘choker’ reputation
This is where The MongolZ and Eternal Fire come in. These two teams top our PGL Bucharest 2025 power rankings, arriving in Romania as favorites despite neither having a Tier 1 trophy win to their names. Given the teams (not) in attendance, The MongolZ and Eternal Fire have a unique opportunity to secure that win. It’s one they must take.
One of the biggest criticisms leveled at these two teams is that they’re “stage chokers.” Personally, I can’t argue with this idea – the evidence has been overwhelming this year, with The MongolZ and Eternal Fire both suffering an undeniable drop in form from Groups to Playoffs. That doesn’t mean this is an unshakeable reputation, but it’s only wins in big moments that can do this.
This is one thing neither will have to worry too much about at PGL Bucharest 2025. Why? It’s not a stage event, so there’s no crowd to pile on the pressure during the final stages of the event. Remember when MOUZ used to farm ESL Pro League wins in a studio environment? It’ll be just like that for The MongolZ and Eternal Fire, making it an opportunity neither can miss.
PGL Bucharest 2025 is almost like a gatekeeper event. Whoever wins will be expected to challenge the likes of Vitality, MOUZ, and Spirit going forward at bigger tournaments. That is exactly the tier these two teams find themselves desperate to reach, but have so far failed to break through the barrier at previous events. I honestly believe that a win here can give them the confidence to compete further down the line. Usually, the most difficult trophy win is the first. For whichever team wins in Bucharest, I reckon it could be the first of many.
Not winning could spell disaster for Eternal Fire
If The MongolZ or Eternal Fire don’t win PGL Bucharest 2025, you begin to wonder if they’ll ever get over the line. Continued disappointment can be a real team-killer, as we’ve seen plenty of times in the past. Personally, I think this is more a problem for Eternal Fire than The MongolZ, at least in the immediate future.
Why? Age. The MongolZ have an average age of 20.6, with their oldest player being bLitz at 23. Comparitively, Eternal Fire’s average age is 26.6, with Wicadia (20) and jottAAA (22) on the younger end of the scale, and MAJ3R (34) dragging up number considerably. This means that The MongolZ have time on their side to make champions of themselves. They could fail for five years and still be younger than EF are now. I’m not saying they should fail for five years straight, but they could.
Things are definitely a little more urgent for Eternal Fire. After finishing as runners-up at ESL Pro League Season 20 and BLAST Bounty Season 1, they’re the definition of “so close, but yet so far.” They won’t get infinite cracks at glory, and with the easier competition and lack of a crowd, PGL Bucharest 2025 represents an opportunity they can’t afford to miss.
