The European squad made short work of their opponents, sweeping them aside on Dust2 (13-9), Nuke (13-4), and Inferno (13-5) to claim their second ‘Big Event’ title of 2025.
This triumph puts Vitality just one tournament victory away from securing the Intel Grand Slam and the coveted US$1,000,000 prize, having already won IEM Cologne 2024 and IEM Katowice 2025.
That's another trophy for @TeamVitalityCS in 2025 secured!
#ESLProLeague pic.twitter.com/FIPRwdAJOQ
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) March 16, 2025
With five events left to seal the deal, their first opportunity comes at IEM Melbourne in April.
The series started on Dust2, where Vitality’s game plan of exploiting the B site paid off handsomely.
Early aggression against Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo saw them storm to a 9-3 lead, with the Finnish rifler struggling to make an impact.
MOUZ fought back in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overturn, and Vitality closed out the map 13-9.
On Nuke, Vitality kept their foot on the gas, dominating the early duels and converting key clutch rounds to establish a commanding 9-3 halftime lead.
A swift second-half pistol win all but sealed the deal, with the map ending 13-4.
Inferno was even more lopsided, as MOUZ’s questionable counter-terrorist side decisions allowed Vitality to take a six-round lead by halftime.
The gap proved insurmountable, and a flawless second half from the Dan “apEX” Madesclaire-led squad resulted in a crushing 13-5 victory, ending MOUZ’s previously unblemished record in ESL Pro League finals.
Unlike previous events, where Vitality heavily leant on Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Shahar “flameZ” Shushan for firepower, this was a complete team performance.
ROBIN "EPL" KOOL @ropz
Check out the #ESLProLeague S21 #ESLProTour DHL MVP's best moments from the tournament!@DeutschePostDHL pic.twitter.com/VsmTl78009
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) March 16, 2025
Robin “ropz” Kool, their newest addition, shone brightly and was named the tournament MVP, proving his worth as a game-changing signing.
“It’s a great team to play with. I’m happy to have these four guys to extend my career a bit longer,” Vitality’s in-game leader Dan “apEX” Madesclaire said post-match, reflecting on their meteoric rise.
For MOUZ, this was a harsh reality check.
Despite an impressive run to the final, they struggled to match Vitality’s intensity.
Head coach Dennis “sycrone” Nielsen admitted their shortcomings: “It felt like we lost every anti-force buy. That was a bit of a shame. But we can’t take anything away from the last three months. We’re clearly not all the way there yet.”
With back-to-back grand final appearances, MOUZ remain a serious contender in the tier-one scene.
They’ll have a chance to bounce back at BLAST Open Lisbon, which begins on Wednesday, March 19.
For Vitality, the path to glory continues.
The Intel Grand Slam is within touching distance, and if their current form is anything to go by, it feels more like a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ they will complete the feat.
Their next test awaits at IEM Melbourne, where they’ll look to further solidify their legacy in Counter-Strike history.
]]>
This win not only ended Spirit’s reign as defending champions but also marked Vitality’s first-ever Katowice title, cementing their status as a powerhouse in the Counter-Strike 2 era.
Champions
pic.twitter.com/leYj88IryN
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) February 9, 2025
Vitality controlled the series from start to finish, dismantling Spirit with clinical precision.
The final scorelines told the story: Dust2 (13-6), Nuke (13-5), and Mirage (13-11).
Vitality’s dominance was evident not just in the number of rounds won but in the way they systematically outplayed Spirit, forcing them out of their comfort zone and exposing their over-reliance on individual star performances.
The series kicked off on Dust2, where Vitality’s coordinated strategies and strong defensive holds left Spirit scrambling.
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was in sublime form, anchoring the defence with impeccable AWP play and recording an outstanding 1.69 series rating.
His ability to shut down Spirit’s advances set the tone early, leaving the Russian squad with little room to manoeuvre.
On Nuke, Vitality’s map pick, their tactical depth was on full display.
The French squad showcased flawless rotations and effective utility usage, suffocating Spirit’s attempts to find openings.
Robin “ropz” Kool, Vitality’s newest recruit, delivered a masterclass in lurking, posting a career-best 2.18 rating on Dust2 and continuing his impactful performance on Nuke.
His presence looks to have revitalised Vitality, adding a layer of strategic nuance that proved too much for Spirit to handle.
Mirage provided the closest contest, with Spirit showing flashes of the brilliance that carried them to the final.
Boris “magixx” Vorobiev stepped up in key moments, keeping Spirit in contention with clutch plays.
However, Vitality’s composure in high-pressure rounds, led by veteran in-game leader Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, secured a hard-fought 13-11 victory to close out the series.
For apEX, this victory was more than just another trophy; it was the culmination of a decade-long pursuit.
Having first competed at IEM Katowice in 2015, the 31-year-old had long dreamt of lifting the coveted title.
“It took time, but I’ve finished the game, won every big tournament,” apEX said proudly after the match.
“It finally happened. It was my best final in years individually. I wanted this so much.”
With his 32nd birthday on the horizon, apEX silenced retirement rumours with a defiant message: “To all the people who want me to retire, I won’t. I’m sorry.”
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) February 9, 2025
The addition of ropz has been transformative for Vitality.
Since joining less than two months ago, the Estonian rifler has seamlessly integrated into the roster, bringing stability and firepower.
His performance at Katowice was nothing short of spectacular, ending the tournament with a 1.23 rating—the fourth-highest of his career at major events.
Vitality’s struggles on the terrorst side earlier in the season were nowhere to be seen.
They boasted a tournament-high 60.4% terrorist side win rate, a significant improvement from their 46.5% at BLAST Bounty Spring and 40.9% at the LAN Finals.
William “mezii” Merriman’s comments about the growing pains of new rosters proved accurate, as Vitality showcased a newfound synergy that overwhelmed even the best defences.
While Vitality celebrated, Spirit faced hard truths.
Danil “donk” Kryshkovets entered the final chasing his eighth MVP medal but struggled to find his usual dominance.
Despite a highlight-reel Desert Eagle quad-kill on Dust2, he finished the series with a disappointing 0.88 rating, unable to deliver the heroics Spirit often relied upon.
The series exposed Spirit’s over-reliance on donk’s individual brilliance.
When he faltered, the team lacked the depth to compensate.
Magixx’s clutch performances kept them competitive on Mirage, but it was clear that Spirit’s game plan needs to evolve to avoid such dependency in the future.
With Spirit dethroned, Vitality’s victory signals a shift in the Counter-Strike landscape.
Their cohesive team play, tactical depth, and individual brilliance have set a new standard.
YOUR #IEM KATOWICE 2025 #ESLProTour DHL MVP
THE CHOSEN ONE, @zywoo@DeutschePostDHL pic.twitter.com/b1i8O40RbQ
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) February 9, 2025
ZywOo picked up his 21st Most Valuable Player award, which tied Oleksandr “?s1mple?” Kostyliev’s record tally, with both of them also winning the MVP at 14 ‘Big Events’ throughout their careers.
Vitality’s triumph at IEM Katowice 2025 is more than just another title—it marks the beginning of a new era.
The question now isn’t whether they can win, but how long they can maintain their dominance.
]]>
After nearly three years with FaZe, ropz leaves behind a legacy of excellence, highlighted by numerous titles and unforgettable performances.
The Estonian rifler joined FaZe in January 2022, reuniting with former MOUZ teammate Finn “karrigan” Andersen.
Hey @ropz we have played 19 championship Sundays together in Mouz + FaZe, every time I felt comfortable in your abilities to win an incredible round for our team. Endless hours spend on server together, pushing each other to the limits.
12 of these Sundays we won.
Thank you— karrigan (@karriganCSGO) January 1, 2025
This partnership immediately bore fruit, with FaZe clinching victories at IEM Katowice, PGL Major Antwerp, and IEM Cologne in 2022.
In 2023, FaZe achieved another milestone by completing the Intel Grand Slam, capping off their dominance with a victory at ESL Pro League Season 17.
The team’s momentum carried into Counter-Strike 2’s launch, securing trophies at IEM Sydney, the Thunderpick World Championship, and the CS Asia Championships.
However, their pace slowed in 2024, with only a single title win at IEM Chengdu.
Despite this, a late resurgence from ropz propelled the team to a second-place finish at the Perfect World Shanghai Major, narrowly missing out on victory against Team Spirit.
FaZe’s announcement of ropz’s departure was accompanied by an emotional farewell video commemorating his contributions to the team.
Talk about a SUPERSTAR, talk about the ELITE…
3 years of historic trophies, ice Kool clutches, and memories we'll never forget.
Thank you for letting us be a part of your story @ropz
pic.twitter.com/FiIehplCbB
— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) December 31, 2024
While ropz has not officially confirmed his next move, multiple reports suggest he is set to join Team Vitality, replacing Lotan “Spinx” Giladi.
Ropz expressed mixed emotions about leaving FaZe, stating that it was a decision made against his heart but one he felt was necessary for his career progression.
He also hinted at excitement for the next chapter in his journey.
As ropz exits, FaZe are reportedly in advanced talks with Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski to fill the void.
The North American star has been a standout player for Complexity and one of the region’s most accomplished talents.
EliGE’s rumoured move to FaZe would mark his first foray into the European Counter-Strike scene, a transition he described as both challenging and thrilling in recent interviews.
EliGE, who averaged a stellar 1.17 rating on LAN in 2024 despite Complexity’s struggles, has made it clear he is eager to join a team capable of contending for championships.
Complexity CEO Jason Lake publicly supported EliGE’s ambitions, emphasising the organisation’s willingness to facilitate his transfer to a top-tier team.
FaZe’s interest in EliGE underscores their intent to revitalise their roster and return to the pinnacle of competitive Counter-Strike.
Securing EliGE would signal a bold step towards reclaiming their dominant form and continuing their legacy.
As the Counter-Strike landscape undergoes a transformation, ropz’ move to Vitality and EliGE’s potential arrival at FaZe could redefine the competitive dynamics for 2025.
These high-profile changes set the stage for an exciting year ahead as teams vie for supremacy in the ever-evolving esports arena.
Once upon a time, there was a 12 year old boy who dreamt of being in FaZe. That boy was me. Fast forward a decade, I am proud for not only reaching that dream, but also creating history within it.
Today I am officially leaving FaZe to start another journey. It was an absolute…
— ropz (@ropz) January 1, 2025
]]>
By beating G2 Esports with 13-6 on Ancient and 16-14 on Nuke, FaZe Clan booked a clash with the surging Team Spirit in the Major final, looking to avoid the mishap from PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.
MAJOR FINALS HERE WE COME pic.twitter.com/WHqLcxnOyx
— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) December 14, 2024
FaZe Clan entered the Major semifinals priced as $2.63 underdogs with the best Counter-Strike betting sites, not expected to do well against Nikola “NiKo” Kova? and co. who already bested FaZe during the elimination stage.
However, things did not play out as expected for the Major title-hungry G2, who failed to stop FaZe’s star player Robin “ropz” Kool from posting another masterclass performance following a superb 1.49 rating against Team Vitality in the quarterfinals.
While the Estonian Counter-Strike player failed to reach the same performance rating on Saturday, he ended the game with the server’s highest 1.45 rating, ahead of his teammate Helvijs “broky” Saukants at 1.23.
https://t.co/CbDyR31etv pic.twitter.com/UjwerYSg5L
— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) December 14, 2024
The unexpected loss to FaZe Clan was another significant disappointment for G2 Esports, who have done well over the season, but also produced mixed results in bigger events.
Over 15 S-Tier tournaments attended, G2 Esports placed outside the top five in seven but finished top four in nine, including a title from BLAST Premier World Final 2024 in November.
The mixed results continued at the Major, with strong performances leading up to the semifinals, with victories against BIG, 3DMAX, FaZe Clan, and HEROIC.
Yet when it mattered the most, G2 Esports struggled, namely Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa, NiKo, and Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, who ended the match with sub-1.00 ratings.
G2 Esports’ elimination from the Shanghai Major comes amid rumours of NiKo leaving the team to join Team Falcons at the start of the 2025 season.
By humiliating G2 Esports, FaZe Clan secured their second Counter-Strike 2 Major grand final ticket and are the only team to reach all Major finals since the transition to the game’s newest version.
The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 grand final between Team Spirit and FaZe Clan is set for Sunday, December 15.
According to the latest esports betting odds, FaZe Clan are underdogs, priced at $2.15 at GG Bet.
]]>
Their victory over MOUZ in the grand final, featuring triumphs on Mirage (13-7) and Nuke (22-18), showcased FaZe’s resilience and strategic prowess.
CHAMPIONS IN CHINA
— FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan) November 12, 2023
The grand final proved to be a challenging test, particularly on Nuke, where MOUZ initially led 12-6.
However, FaZe demonstrated mental fortitude and staged an impressive comeback, with players like H?vard “rain” Nygaard and Helvijs “broky” Saukants stepping up.
Despite MOUZ’s efforts in extra rounds, FaZe eventually secured victory in the third overtime, extending their winning streak to 15 games.
In a post-game interview, in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen addressed questions about the team’s future amid rumours of roster changes.
“It’s hard to say, we have no idea what’s happening, and we just have to keep enjoying,” karrigan said.
“I knew when CS2 came out, we were going to re-find the happiness of playing with each other and grinding the game.”
FaZe’s triumph was not only marked by their collective strength but also individual brilliance, with Estonian star Robin “ropz” Kool earning the MVP title for his outstanding contributions throughout the tournament.
Ropz’s consistent performance and pivotal role in FaZe’s success highlighted his skill in the CS2 era, securing his fifth MVP award.
As FaZe Clan celebrates their victory, uncertainties about the team’s future linger.
Nevertheless, the focus remains on the joy of playing together and the shared happiness that Counter-Strike 2 has brought them.
FaZe’s legacy in the CS2 landscape is evident, leaving an indelible mark for fans and competitors alike.
]]>The match featured the champions of two major CS2 events, but it was FaZe who emerged victorious on Ancient with a score of 13-10 and pulled off a remarkable comeback on Vertigo, winning 19-17 after trailing 1-8.
This victory marked FaZe’s eleventh consecutive series win following their triumph at IEM Sydney 2023.
It was a remarkable achievement for the team, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the roster, including rumours of Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken’s imminent move to Team Liquid and the acquisition of FaZe Clan by GameSquare, the parent company of Complexity.
FaZe’s in-game leader, Finn “karrigan” Andersen, praised his team’s adaptability and versatility as key factors in their success.
The contrasting styles of play between the two teams were a topic of discussion before the final, with FaZe bringing controlled chaos against Virtus.pro’s methodical approach.
However, FaZe’s adaptability proved decisive on the CS2 stage.
The online format of the event may have favoured Virtus.pro, the Roobet Cup champions, but FaZe showcased their resilience and skill with clutch plays, comebacks, and critical decisions during crucial moments, reminiscent of their performance in big live events.
The match began with FaZe’s pick of Ancient, where they initially struggled but managed to turn the tide in their favour with two low-economy round wins and a strong second-half performance.
In contrast, Virtus.pro maintained a slow and steady pace, but FaZe’s quality ultimately prevailed, resulting in a 13-10 victory.
Vertigo, an unexpected map choice by FaZe, saw them fall behind 1-8 early on.
However, FaZe showcased their resilience and turned the game around with impressive retakes and strategic plays.
karrigan’s aggressive moves disrupted Virtus.pro’s calculated approach, culminating in a pivotal round where he secured a triple kill.
The match remained intense and went into two overtimes, marked by retakes and low-probability round wins.
Robin “ropz” Kool’s aggressive CT play played a significant role in FaZe’s victory.
As the match progressed, FaZe embraced the chaos and demonstrated their clutch abilities, reminiscent of their peak in 2022, securing the map and claiming the $250,000 first prize.
ropz emerged as the clear MVP of the finals, with an outstanding performance across both maps.
He finished with 52 kills, only 35 deaths, and an impressive 1.49 HLTV rating.
FaZe will now seek their third CS2 title as they make their way to China to compete in the CS2 Asia Championships, where they are the heavy favourites with most esports betting sites.
.@FaZeEsports ARE YOUR THUNDERPICK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 CHAMPIONS!
@karriganCSGO
— Thunderpick (@thunderpickco) November 5, 2023
]]>