After MOUZ’s victory over NAVI in the playoff qualifier at IEM Cologne 2025, rifler Lotan "Spinx" Giladi spoke to Bo3.gg in an exclusive interview. He discussed the team’s slow start on Mirage and how they managed to adapt mid-game to turn the tide. Spinx also reflected on the ongoing challenges on Nuke’s T side, shared his perspective on the current meta, and explained what helped the team stay mentally composed and close out the series.

What disrupted your game plan?

On Mirage, I think they had a good start. They came with a solid plan. They played really fast against us, and we were not ready or aware. They secured the key kills and won the first rounds of the game, but we managed to adapt and brought it to a 5:7 score.

At what point did you feel the momentum shift in your favor? Was it after the round you won at 7:7, or when you won the force with the stacked nines in the second half?

I think it was the 6:1 mini-session. We discussed what we should do, how to adapt, and from then on, we started winning some rounds.

What were the main things that helped you win on Mirage?

On the CT side — adaptation. On the T side — definitely the four rounds we managed to win. Also, I think both individual and team play on Mirage were spot on today.

On Nuke, the start was even at 3:3, but then things fell apart and you lost the half 3:9. What happened? Why didn’t your game plan work?

I don’t know. I do think we’re improving on Nuke T side. Unfortunately, the result is what it is — and it's the same outcome we’ve had many times in this Nuke series. But yeah, we really need to work on the CT side. T side still needs to be a bit better too.

What do you think is the current meta on Nuke T side?

I think the meta is denying CT info from outside, making them guess where you are, trying to surprise them. Sometimes you go around, sometimes you go secret, sometimes you go under heaven and punish if they leave it open. A lot of options.

So every round you need to take outside?

You need to deny CT info — no matter what, or most of the time.

How did you mentally prepare for the second half? What did sycrone say to the team during the break?

We all just talked about how we’ve been here before at 3:9, and we’re really good on the CT side. Just win the pistol and continue from there — that’s it.