The ESL Pro League Season 22 grand final ended in total triumph for Team Vitality. The European-French roster crushed Falcons 3–0 (13–10 Inferno, 13–9 Train, 13–5 Dust2), leaving no doubts about their superiority. For the “bees,” this marks another trophy and solid proof of their dominance in modern Counter-Strike 2.
A Battle Between Two Eras
The showdown between Falcons and Vitality represented more than just a final — it was a clash of generations. Falcons, built around NiKo and m0NESY, finally became a consistent championship contender in 2025. Meanwhile, Vitality embodied structure and discipline, combining ZywOo’s brilliance, ropz’s stability, and flameZ’s aggression into a nearly perfect system.
Both teams entered the match with momentum. Falcons arrived after confident victories over MOUZ and 3DMAX. However, Vitality appeared sharper and far more organized. From the first round onward, they dictated the tempo and forced Falcons to react rather than lead.
Map-by-Map Breakdown
- Inferno (13–10, Vitality’s pick)
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The first map turned into a tight battle. Falcons opened strong, stealing several key rounds thanks to NiKo’s precision. However, the tide shifted midway through the half when flameZ and ropz dismantled their setups, while ZywOo locked down A-site with his AWP. After the switch, Falcons attempted to regain control. Yet, two clutch wins from flameZ and perfect coordination from mezii secured the map 13–10 for Vitality. As a result, the “bees” gained early momentum.
- Train (13–9, Falcons’ pick)
Falcons hoped to equalize, but Vitality were one step ahead. Their rotations were flawless, their communication crisp. ropz anchored B-site like a machine, apEX kept the squad focused, and flameZ opened rounds with surgical precision. Despite m0NESY’s 30 kills, Falcons couldn’t sustain their pressure. Vitality stayed calm, executed retakes efficiently, and took another map — 13–9. Therefore, they moved within touching distance of the title.
- Dust2 (13–5, Vitality’s pick)
The final map was pure domination. Falcons looked fatigued, while Vitality played with unstoppable confidence. flameZ and ropz dismantled defenses with explosive entries, and ZywOo controlled mid flawlessly. In the end, Falcons had no response. NiKo and m0NESY fought fiercely, but lacked support from their teammates. Consequently, Vitality closed out Dust2 13–5 and completed a clean 3–0 sweep.
Player Stats for the Match
MVP of the Final — Shahar “flameZ” Shushan
The Israeli rifler delivered a career-defining performance, driving Vitality to victory.
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- K–D: 62–41 (+21)
- ADR: 102.6
- Rating 3.0: 1.60
flameZ excelled in every area — from explosive entries to high-pressure clutches. His confidence dictated the pace of the series. Notably, his performance on Dust2 was outstanding, as he repeatedly broke through Falcons’ defense almost single-handedly.
Team Breakdown
Team Vitality
This was Vitality at their best. The team displayed discipline, composure, and perfect synergy. ZywOo (42–27, 1.05 rating) led with calm precision. Meanwhile, mezii and ropz maintained consistency, while apEX fueled the team’s energy with passionate leadership. Overall, Vitality demonstrated what a true championship roster looks like — confident, cohesive, and complete.
Falcons
Falcons showed determination but lacked resilience. m0NESY (51–42, 1.29 rating) and NiKo (46–46, 1.19 rating) performed admirably, yet couldn’t compensate for the struggles of their teammates. kyxsan and TeSeS failed to make an impact, and their team structure collapsed under constant pressure. Despite moments of brilliance, Falcons were simply outplayed by a more polished opponent.
Context and Significance
8th trophy of the year🏆 pic.twitter.com/4N5S4Cws3c
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) October 12, 2025
This victory adds another chapter to Vitality’s dominant 2025 campaign. Earlier this year, they triumphed at IEM Melbourne, BLAST Rivals Season 1, and BLAST.tv Austin Major. Adding the ESL Pro League trophy cements their reputation as one of the era’s greatest teams. Moreover, the “bees” now approach 2026 as a top favorite for the Esports World Cup.
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For Falcons, the loss was tough but valuable. The squad proved they can reach grand finals, but must refine their strategies and composure to challenge tier-one giants like Vitality consistently.
Aftermath
Vitality lifted the ESL Pro League Season 22 trophy, extending their golden year in CS2. flameZ and ZywOo reaffirmed their roles as the heartbeat of the roster, while apEX once again proved his leadership excellence.
Falcons, though defeated, exit the tournament with pride. They overcame NAVI, FaZe, MOUZ, and 3DMAX to reach this stage. However, on this night, only one team truly soared — Vitality, the undisputed champions who reminded the world why the buzz of the bees still commands fear.
