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Team Vitality Makes History with Second Major Title and Seventh Straight Tournament Win
Team Vitality has once again proven why they are the undisputed kings of Counter-Strike 2, claiming victory at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 in a thrilling 2-1 Grand Final against The MongolZ. The French squad's triumph at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, marks their second Major championship and caps off what can only be described as the most dominant season in Counter-Strike history.
A Hard-Fought Victory Against Rising Stars
The Grand Final delivered everything fans could have hoped for, with The MongolZ proving they belonged on the biggest stage by taking the opening map, Mirage, with a convincing 13-5 victory. The young Mongolian squad, with an average age of just 20, became the youngest team ever to reach a Major Grand Final and showed no signs of being intimidated by the occasion.
However, Team Vitality's championship pedigree shone through when it mattered most. The French organization responded emphatically on Dust2, dismantling their opponents by a score 13-4 to force a decisive third map. On Inferno, captain Dan "apEX" Madesclaire stepped up in spectacular fashion, leading his team to a 13-6 victory that sealed their second Major title.
Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut was named tournament MVP, earning his seventh MVP award in a row and becoming only the third player in Counter-Strike history to receive multiple Major MVP honors. His consistent brilliance throughout the tournament exemplified the individual excellence that has defined Vitality's 2025 campaign.
An Unprecedented Season of Dominance
This Austin Major victory represents the ultimate achievement of what has been an absolutely extraordinary year for Team Vitality. The French squad has now won seven consecutive tournaments, establishing themselves as the most dominant force that the Counter-Strike scene has ever witnessed.
Their 2025 season began with an incredible 30-match winning streak that left the Counter-Strike community in awe. While that streak was eventually broken by Legacy at this last Major, it served as a statement of intent that would define their entire year. The addition of Robin "ropz" Kool coming from FaZe Clan earlier in the year transformed an already formidable roster into an unstoppable team.
Throughout 2025, Vitality has collected trophy after trophy, including victories at IEM Melbourne where they completed the ESL Grand Slam, along with triumphs at EPL, Katowice, Dallas, and BLAST Rivals. Their 25-match winning streak at one point stood as the second-longest in Counter-Strike history, behind only the legendary Ninjas in Pyjamas' 60-0 run.
Complete Team Excellence
What makes this Vitality roster truly special is that it's no longer just the ZywOo show. While the French superstar remains the focal point, every player has elevated their game to championship level. Ropz has seamlessly integrated into the team, providing the firepower and clutch factor that was missing in previous iterations. ApEX's leadership has been exemplary, while William "mezii" Merriman and Shahar "flameZ" Shushan have provided consistent support.
This balanced approach has made Vitality nearly impossible to counter-strategize against. Opponents can no longer focus solely on shutting down ZywOo, as any member of the team can step up and deliver match-winning performances when needed.
A Historic Achievement
With seven S-tier tournament victories out of ten events in 2025, Team Vitality has achieved a level of dominance that may never be replicated. Their Austin Major triumph not only adds another prestigious trophy to their collection but also cements their legacy as potentially the greatest Counter-Strike team of all time.
As the confetti fell at the Moody Center and the $500,000 prize was secured, Team Vitality had completed their coronation. In a year where they've demolished every challenge placed before them, this Major victory serves as the ultimate validation of their extraordinary talent and unwavering determination.
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Feature image credit: Blast.tv
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