Reflecting on Mirage’s initial challenges, Vitality demonstrated remarkable resilience, bouncing back with dominant wins on Dust2 and Inferno. This streak has etched one of the most awe-inspiring performances in contemporary CS:GO history. The culmination of this journey not only granted us a Major championship but also reinforced our position as the reigning champions of 2025, so far.
A Season Defined by Domination
Stepping into the Austin Major, Vitality had already garnered quite the buzz as the team to watch, boasting a 30-match winning streak and six consecutive tournament championships. However, doubts started circulating after an unexpected loss to Brazilian dark horses Legacy in our first match – a sudden and humbling interruption to our unbeaten run. (I’m a fan speaking here)
But if anyone thought Vitality were slipping, they were quickly proven wrong.
The strong team from Europe dominated the rest of the group stage, defeating Nemiga, 3DMAX, and Virtus.pro with great skill. They took that energy into the playoffs, knocking out top-tier opponents such as Natus Vincere and MOUZ to advance to the final. The MongolZ were their next challenge there.
The Grand Final: A Gritty, Three-Map Affair
In Map One, dubbed Mirage, Vitality received an abrupt reality check after being selected by The MongolZ. The map favored The MongolZ, with players Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold and Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch spearheading the charge with relentless assaults and stifling defense from the onset. Starting 0-3 behind, The MongolZ turned the tide, triumphantly taking the map 13-5, delivering a clear statement that they weren’t simply there to participate – they were there to claim victory.
PURE COUNTERSTRIKE CINEMA@ninetencs SENDS MONGOLZ TO MAP POINT WITH AN ACE
— BLAST Premier (@BLASTPremier) June 22, 2025
However, the turning point arrived promptly for Vitality on Dust2 map. With brutal swiftness, they turned the tables on MongolZ, showcasing ruthless efficiency. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was a force to reckon with, boasting an impressive 1.81 rating during the CT side, leading his team to a commanding 9-3 first half lead and ultimately a convincing 13-4 victory. The MongolZ struggled to keep pace with Vitality’s relentless tempo and superior mid-round strategies.
Vitality are STRIKING BACK@kingmezii is trying his best to send Vitality to a 3rd!
— BLAST Premier (@BLASTPremier) June 22, 2025
Vitality, the master tactician, demonstrated why they are now famously associated with calmness and critical plays. ZywOo’s impressive 1v2 in the second round established the rhythm. Leveraging this momentum, Vitality scored a 9-3 lead in the first half and eventually clinched the series 13-6, securing their second Major championship.
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) June 22, 2025
apEX Leads Legacy-Building Campaign
In the triumph, team captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire has achieved another impressive accolade for his illustrious career. Now counted among a trio of Major champions, apEX finds himself alongside esteemed players like Jesper “JW” Wecksell, Robin “flusha” Rönnquist, and the Astralis core in an exclusive hall of legends.
In an emotional post-match interview, apEX didn’t shy away from bold declarations:
“I’m sorry Magisk, but +ropz is the best move of all time,” he said, referencing the team’s decision to bring in Robin “ropz” Kool at the start of the season. “Seven trophies in seven tournaments. What else is there to say? This is the best team of 2025. It’s done!”
With his latest victory, ApEX’s team leadership has earned him his 33rd championship title, making him the player with the most titles in CS history, surpassing the recently retired Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen.
As a gamer myself, I’m thrilled to share that my victory at Vitality’s Major not only secured the title for my team, but it also etched a significant milestone in my career – becoming the first British player ever to win a CS Major. My calmness and strategic use of utilities on Inferno were instrumental in sealing the series, undoubtedly carving my name into the annals of UK esports history.
Meanwhile, Shahar “flameZ” Shushan won his first Major title on his birthday. What a coincidence!
Wow, wow, wow!
This has been the best day of my life.
I turned 22 and won my 22nd major tournament on June 22nd.
Thank you, @1mongolz, for being such an inspiration.
Love, My Team.
Championsss!
— Shahar Shushan (@flameZcsgo) June 22, 2025
ZywOo Shines Bright Again
The renowned French athlete, widely recognized as one of the best to play the game, earned an additional MVP award, bringing his total to seven in seven tournaments. This impressive feat places ZywOo at a remarkable 27 Big Event MVP awards, surpassing a distinguished six-time winner named Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev by six medals.
Despite a slight drop in his final performance compared to his impressive group stage statistics (1.58 rating in groups, 1.33 in playoffs), ZywOo played a pivotal role in Vitality’s comeback following their loss on Mirage. His exceptional CT-side performance on Dust2 and clutch plays during the anti-eco phase on Inferno were crucial in changing the momentum of the game.
The MongolZ: Heartbreak and Hope
Regardless of the defeat, The MongolZ departed Austin with their chins up. A team previously unaccustomed to playing in an international final, their victory in Mirage and tenacious spirit throughout the tournament demonstrated that they are worthy contenders for the top echelons of competition.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that I, too, had my doubts about Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren’s squad due to their reputation for stage nerves and inconsistent play under pressure. However, they managed to silence the skeptics with their exceptional performance. In pivotal moments, Senzu and 910 stood out, delivering crucial plays and demonstrating composure in high-stress situations that had previously caused them trouble.
The teams they faced during the playoffs weren’t particularly challenging, as they managed victories against FaZe and paiN. However, their ability to test Vitality to the maximum on the grandest stage suggests a promising future for esports teams from the Asia-Pacific region.
Vitality’s Era Begins
In the opening months of 2025, Team Vitality has already claimed three significant tournament victories – the ESL Pro League, IEM Chengdu, and BLAST.tv Austin Major. This impressive streak suggests that they are not merely on a hot run; instead, they’re laying the foundation for a new era in competitive gaming, rivaling only the legendary 87-0 run of Ninjas in Pyjamas. Apart from a quarterfinal finish at the BLAST Bounty Season 1 Finals, where they were still finding their footing with ropz as a new addition, Vitality has been virtually unbeatable throughout the season.
THE SECOND STAR IS OURS
7 TROPHIES IN 5 MONTHS AND YOUR @BLASTTV MAJOR CHAMPIONS
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) June 22, 2025
It’s yet to be determined if this dominance will last through the second part of the year. Will Vitality lose steam, or will they join the ranks of legendary teams like Astralis, fnatic, and Natus Vincere by making history?
Based on the Austin Major performance, it seems their victory speaks for itself. They are indeed the top-tier team globally, and they have proven this by claiming the BLAST.tv Austin 2025 Major title!
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2025-06-23 12:40