Team Vitality Win IEM Melbourne 2025 to Secure ESL Grand Slam
In a Grand Final that will be remembered for years, Team Vitality outlasted Team Falcons 3-2 to lift the IEM Melbourne 2025 trophy. The Golden Hornets kept their winning streak alive at 21, surviving a triple-overtime thriller on Nuke to close the series.
Vitality looked dominant early, crushing Falcons 13-2 on Inferno and pushing them to the brink on Dust2 before losing in overtime. A hard-fought comeback on Train tilted momentum back in Vitality’s favor, but Falcons roared back with a 13-10 win on Mirage to force the decider.
On Nuke, Falcons reached match point at 12-6, only to crumble under Vitality’s relentless pressure. Clutch after clutch, smoke defuses, and nerve-wracking rounds brought the series into triple overtime. Finally, behind Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut’s MVP-deserving performance and heroics in the late rounds, Vitality closed it out 22-20. Finally claiming one of the greatest finals in Counter-Strike history.
Vitality Complete the ESL Grand Slam Season 5
With the victory in Melbourne, Vitality secured the ESL Grand Slam Season 5. Thus becoming just the fifth team ever to achieve the honor. They completed the legendary run with wins at IEM Cologne 2024, IEM Katowice 2025, ESL Pro League Season 21, and now IEM Melbourne 2025.
For team captain Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, superstar AWPer Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut, and riflers Shahar "flameZ" Shushan and William "mezii" Merriman, this marks their first-ever Grand Slam victory.
Meanwhile, Robin "ropz" Kool made history by becoming only the second player ever to win two ESL Grand Slams. He joins his former FaZe Clan teammate Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken in this exclusive club. Ropz first won the Grand Slam with FaZe in 2023 before lifting his second trophy here with Vitality.
Their ability to survive the grueling best-of-five format at IEM Melbourne, especially the triple-overtime map five, underlines why they are the undisputed kings of CS2 right now. Vitality didn’t just survive adversity - they thrived in it, showing the championship pedigree needed to cement a legacy.
Record Viewership Cements IEM Melbourne 2025 in History
The IEM Melbourne 2025 Grand Final shattered records for Australian esports viewership, peaking at a massive 1,245,466 viewers. This makes it the most-watched esports event ever held in Australia and the second most popular CS2 non-Major event of all time, only trailing IEM Katowice 2025.
Globally, IEM Melbourne 2025 now ranks as the third most-watched non-Major CS tournament in history. The thrilling final, combined with the stakes of the ESL Grand Slam and the star power of names like ZywOo, NiKo, and m0NESY, delivered a spectacle that captivated fans worldwide.
Vitality’s triumph at IEM Melbourne 2025 was more than just another tournament victory, it was the crowning moment of a dynasty in the making. As for Falcons, their spirited performance signals that they, too, are ready to soar. If Melbourne was any indication, the future of CS2 is brighter and more competitive than ever.
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Featured Image Credits: ESL
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