Team Vitality vs Team Falcons: IEM Dallas 2025 Semifinal Preview and Predictions

24 May

Thales Costa

We are all ready for what's coming at the IEM Dallas 2025 Semifinals as the world's number one, Team Vitality, prepares to face Team Falcons in what could be their most challenging test yet. The best-of-three match happens this Saturday, May 24th, at 11:15 pm CET, and represents a potential roadblock in Vitality's quest for continued dominance.

Vitality's Unstoppable Momentum

ZywOo and company enter this semifinal riding an incredible 28-match winning streak, having recently completed their ESL Grand Slam run. The French powerhouse has claimed victory in their last five tournaments, showcasing a level of consistency that has established them as the undisputed kings of Counter-Strike 2.

Their tactical flexibility under apEX's leadership, combined with the strategic brilliance of coach XTQZZZ, has made them nearly unbeatable. The addition of ropz has elevated their ceiling even further, with his impeccable timing and lurking abilities complementing the explosive firepower of flameZ and the reliable anchoring from mezii.

Falcons' Championship Ambitions

Team Falcons arrive at these Semifinals as the dangerous underdogs with championship aspirations. The Saudi organization's recent acquisition of m0NESY from G2 has added another dimension to their already formidable roster featuring NiKo and Magisk.

However, Falcons had to take the longer route to the Semifinals after losing to MOUZ in the Upper Bracket Final of their group. Their Quarterfinals victory over GamerLegion demonstrated their resilience, but questions remain about their ability to match Vitality's tactical sophistication over a three-map series.

Head-to-Head History Favors the French

Recent encounters heavily favor Vitality, who have defeated Falcons in their last three meetings over the past five weeks. Most notably, at IEM Melbourne 2025, Vitality secured a convincing 2-0 victory in the Upper Bracket Semifinals, showcasing their tactical superiority on maps like Mirage and Inferno. These two have already faced off in back-to-back Grand Finals at the IEM Melbourne 2025 and BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 1, with Vitality taking the trophy in both tournaments by 3-2.

This psychological edge could prove crucial in a high-pressure semifinal environment, especially considering Vitality's experience in closing out important matches during their remarkable winning streak.

What to Expect

The individual duels will be fascinating to observe. ZywOo's versatility with both rifles and AWP against m0NESY's aggressive AWPing style could consistently determine map control across the series.

Meanwhile, NiKo's entry fragging capabilities will be tested against Vitality's disciplined defensive setups.

The tactical battle between the coaching staffs also promises intrigue, with zonic's experience going up against XTQZZZ's innovative approach to Counter-Strike 2.

Our Prediction: Team Vitality 3-1

While Falcons possess the individual skill to challenge any team, Vitality's superior teamwork, tactical depth, and momentum make them heavy favorites. Their 28-match winning streak and recent dominance over Falcons in head-to-head matchups provide additional confidence.

The French squad's ability to adapt mid-series, combined with their proven track record in high-stakes matches and ZywOo's exceptional form, should see them through to another Grand Finals appearance despite the Falcons' dangerous firepower.

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Featured Image Credits: ESL

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