In the upper bracket semi-final of Group A at BLAST Open London, Vitality faced GamerLegion in a best-of-three matchup. A spot at the LAN finals was on the line, so both teams approached the match fully focused. Despite GamerLegion’s ambitions and a solid showing on the second map, it was Vitality who proved stronger, securing a 2:1 victory.
Match Timeline
- Train (13:9, GamerLegion’s pick)
GamerLegion started the series confidently, trying to make the most of their map pick. In the first half, they attempted to control the pace through the activity of Kursy and REZ, but Vitality quickly adapted. Thanks to ZywOo’s brilliant performance and disciplined retakes from apEX, Vitality gradually took control. GL managed to claim nine rounds, but it wasn’t enough — Vitality closed out the map to take a 1:0 lead.
- Inferno (7:13, Vitality’s pick)
On their own pick, Vitality surprisingly collapsed. GamerLegion dictated the pace from the opening rounds: REZ pushed the team forward while Kursy delivered confidently in clutch situations. The second half was particularly notable as GL won most of the duels and had a clear read on the map. Vitality looked lost — flameZ and mezii failed to make an impact. The series was tied up at 1:1.
- Nuke (13:4, decider)
The match was decided on Nuke, where Vitality displayed a completely different level. They dominated on both offense and defense: ropz shined with key multi-kills, ZywOo was as impactful as ever, and apEX managed the macro game masterfully. GamerLegion looked helpless — they managed only four rounds, and Vitality confidently closed out the series.
Player Stats
Player of the Match
The standout performer of the match was Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, who finished the series with the following stats:
- K-D: 46–31 (+15)
- ADR: 77.9
- Rating 3.0: 1.39
Once again, ZywOo proved why he is called the most consistent player of the modern era: huge impact in key rounds, excellent clutch play, and deadly aim. Fans also backed him — the Frenchman earned 67% of the votes for Player of the Match.
Team Analysis
Vitality
The French organization showed trademark discipline and flexibility:
- ropz provided stability in crucial moments, finishing with a 1.31 rating.
- apEX impressed with unusually strong individual performance (+7 K-D), while also remaining the team’s tactical leader.
- flameZ had some flashy rounds, but his overall showing was inconsistent.
- mezii was the weak link — 30–44 and just a 0.87 rating.
Still, Vitality’s structure worked flawlessly, allowing them to react to situations on the fly and maintain control.
GamerLegion
GL proved they can fight at the top level, but a lack of experience and inconsistent individual displays prevented them from winning:
- Kursy was the leader — 50–42 (+8), ADR 78.9.
- REZ provided steady support with a 1.00 rating.
- ztr underperformed heavily: 27–42 with a 0.71 rating, which critically affected the outcome.
The biggest problem for GamerLegion was their lack of depth across maps and poor adaptation in the decider.
Previous Encounter at IEM Dallas 2025
Less than two weeks ago, Vitality and GamerLegion met in the Group A upper bracket semi-final at IEM Dallas 2025. Back then, the French squad also came out on top, winning 2:0:
- Mirage — 13:9
- Nuke — 13:10
GL looked more competitive in that clash, forcing Vitality to work hard for the win. Today’s match, however, highlighted the gap in class even more clearly: while GamerLegion had a chance on Inferno, they were completely outclassed on Nuke.
Vitality once again confirmed their status as a top team, picking up their second win over GamerLegion in May. The French squad qualified for the BLAST Premier LAN finals, proving yet again that even in tough moments, their structure and individual skill give them the edge.
For GamerLegion, this was a valuable learning experience. They managed to fight on one map, but they still need to improve their consistency and preparation to pose a serious challenge to the elite.
