The victory marks Vitality's seventh straight tournament win and punctuates a near-immaculate first half of the season with Counter-Strike 2's most prestigious prize.
After a rocky start on Mirage, Vitality’s resilience shone through as they rebounded with commanding victories on Dust2 and Inferno, solidifying what has become one of the most impressive runs in modern CS history. The final result not only earned them a Major title but also reaffirmed their status as the undisputed kings of 2025 thus far.
A Season Defined by Domination
Coming into the Austin Major, Vitality were already being touted as the team to beat, boasting a 30-series win streak and six straight tournament titles. Yet, questions began to swirl after a shock loss to Brazilian underdogs Legacy in their opening match – an abrupt and humbling end to their undefeated series streak.
But if anyone thought Vitality were slipping, they were quickly proven wrong.
The European powerhouse stormed through the remainder of the group stage, dispatching Nemiga, 3DMAX, and Virtus.pro with clinical precision. They carried that momentum into the playoffs, eliminating elite opposition in Natus Vincere and MOUZ to reach the grand final, where The MongolZ awaited.
The Grand Final: A Gritty, Three-Map Affair
Map one, Mirage, was a rude awakening for Vitality. Picked by The MongolZ, the map played into the Asian side’s hands, as Azbayar "Senzu" Munkhbold and Usukhbayar "910" Banzragch led the charge with blistering attacks and lockdown defense. From a 0-3 start, The MongolZ surged ahead, taking the map 13-5 and sending a message that they weren’t here just to play – they were here to win.
PURE COUNTERSTRIKE CINEMA@ninetencs SENDS MONGOLZ TO MAP POINT WITH AN ACE pic.twitter.com/Bqgnc5qojh
— BLAST Premier (@BLASTPremier) June 22, 2025
But the wake-up call came swiftly. On Dust2, Vitality flipped the script with ruthless efficiency. Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut came alive with a monstrous 1.81 rating on the CT side, leading his squad to a 9-3 first half and a final 13-4 scoreline. The MongolZ could barely find their footing against Vitality's suffocating pace and superior mid-round decisions.
Vitality are STRIKING BACK@kingmezii is trying his best to send Vitality to a 3rd! pic.twitter.com/9BURJiME1i
— BLAST Premier (@BLASTPremier) June 22, 2025
Inferno, the decider, showcased why Vitality has become synonymous with composure and clutch play. Despite losing the pistol, ZywOo's 1v2 in the second round set the tone. Vitality rode the momentum to a 9-3 half and closed out the series 13-6, earning their second Major title.
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) June 22, 2025
apEX Leads Legacy-Building Campaign
For team captain Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, the win adds yet another milestone to his storied career. Now a three-time Major winner, apEX joins a select group of legends that includes names like Jesper "JW" Wecksell, Robin "flusha" Rönnquist, and the core of Astralis.
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!”
apEX's leadership has now helped himself to a 33rd title – the most of any player in CS history, overtaking the now retired Peter "dupreeh" Rasmussen.
Vitality's Major win also marked a landmark achievement for William "mezii" Merriman, who became the first British player to ever win a CS Major. Mezii’s composure and utility usage on Inferno played a key role in locking down the series, certainly cementing his place in UK esports history.
Meanwhile, Shahar "flameZ" Shushan won his first Major title on his birthday. What a coincidence!
Well well wellBest day in my life22 birthday winning the 22nd majorOn the 22nd of june.GG @1mongolz u are such an inspiration.Love my TeamMajor champsss
— Shahar Shushan (@flameZcsgo) June 22, 2025
ZywOo Shines Bright Again
The French superstar, already considered one of the greatest to ever touch the game, added yet another MVP medal to his crowded trophy case. With a staggering seventh MVP in as many tournaments, ZywOo now sits at a whopping 27 Big Event MVPs – six ahead of a certain Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev.
Though his final performance dipped slightly compared to his monstrous group stage stats (1.58 rating in groups, 1.33 in playoffs), ZywOo was the catalyst for Vitality's recovery after the Mirage loss. His CT-side dominance on Dust2 and clutch anti-eco heroics on Inferno were vital in turning the tide.
The MongolZ: Heartbreak and Hope
Despite the loss, The MongolZ left Austin with heads held high. For a team that had never reached a grand final on the international stage, their Mirage win and fighting spirit across the series proved they belong among the elite.
Often maligned for stage nerves and inconsistent play under the lights, Garidmagnai "bLitz" Byambasuren’s squad silenced many doubters. Senzu and 910, in particular, were instrumental – delivering critical clutches and showing poise in pressure situations that have previously plagued them.
Their playoff path wasn’t the toughest – wins over FaZe and paiN – but the way they pushed Vitality to the limit on the biggest stage signals a bright future for the Asia and Pacific region.
Vitality’s Era Begins
With the ESL Pro League, IEM Chengdu, and now the BLAST.tv Austin Major under their belt in just the first half of 2025, Vitality are not just in the midst of a hot streak – they are building an era. Only Ninjas in Pyjamas’ fabled 87-0 run eclipses the consistency and dominance shown by apEX and his international lineup. The only blemish on their season remains a quarter-final finish at the BLAST Bounty Season 1 Finals, the first event of the year, when they were literally getting started with ropz. Otherwise, they’ve been untouchable.
THE SECOND STAR IS OURS 7 TROPHIES IN 5 MONTHS AND YOUR @BLASTTV MAJOR CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/ObqAulwp7t
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) June 22, 2025
What remains to be seen is whether this dominance can endure the back half of the year. Will Vitality burn out, or will they etch their names alongside the historic dynasties of Astralis, fnatic, and Natus Vincere?
If the Austin Major is anything to go by, the answer may already be clear. They are the best team in the world, they are your BLAST.tv Austin 2025 Major champions!