At the Chengdu International Convention Center, the grand finale of IEM Chengdu 2025 will bring together two of the world’s strongest teams according to the Valve Regional Standings. The European powerhouse Vitality, led by ZywOo, aims to reclaim its championship status after a tough loss to MOUZ in the group stage. On the other side, FURIA — the embodiment of the Brazilian resurgence — has reached the final after a stunning playoff run, dreaming of a historic title in the new CS2 era. The format: Best of 5 (LAN).
Current Form and Context
Vitality enter the final in phenomenal form — five consecutive series wins, including dominant victories over Virtus.pro (2–1), Lynn Vision (2–0), Astralis (2–1), and MOUZ (2–1) in the semifinals. The team under apEX perfectly balances structure and individual brilliance. ZywOo (1.29 rating, 84.7 ADR) remains a frontrunner for Player of the Year, ropz has fully adapted to the system, while flameZ and mezii consistently deliver explosive entry play across maps.
FURIA, meanwhile, are having one of the best tournaments in their history. The lineup led by YEKINDAR advanced through The MongolZ (2–0) in the quarterfinals and Falcons (2–0) in the semis, displaying phenomenal unity and world-class discipline in clutch moments. KSCERATO (1.24 rating) continues to be the team’s driving force, FalleN commands the game with flawless reads and AWP control, while molodoy proves to be one of the most impactful additions of the season.
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Road to the Final
Vitality (Group B, 2–1):
- 2–1 vs Virtus.pro — controlled series with a confident finish.
- 2–1 vs MOUZ — narrow group-stage loss, later avenged in playoffs.
- 2–0 vs Lynn Vision — dominant performance and macro precision.
- 2–0 vs G2 — victory over one of the top contenders.
- 2–1 vs MOUZ (Semifinal) — composed win to secure a grand final spot.
FURIA (Group A, 2–1):
- 2–0 vs Lynn Vision — clean start, total control.
- 2–0 vs G2 — strategic masterclass, showcasing structural maturity.
- 1–2 vs MOUZ — hard-fought loss that strengthened the team mentally.
In playoffs, FURIA swept The MongolZ (2–0) and Falcons (2–0), reaching the final with the best round difference of all playoff teams.
Head-to-Head — Advantage Vitality
Over the past two years, the teams have met nine times, with the record clearly in Vitality’s favor — 7 wins to 1. The last FURIA victory came at IEM Cologne 2024, but since then, Vitality have defeated the Brazilians three times, including two dominant wins at ESL Pro League Season 22.
A clear trend stands out: Vitality read FURIA’s tempo better, especially in late-round scenarios. apEX’s system consistently counters FURIA’s aggression through preparation, spacing, and utility control.
Map Pool and Veto Analysis (Last 3 Months)
- Dust2: Vitality 91% | FURIA 50%
- Mirage: Vitality 67% | FURIA 67%
- Inferno: Vitality 73% | FURIA 65%
- Nuke: Vitality 67% | FURIA 78%
- Overpass: Vitality 50% | FURIA 85%
- Train: Vitality 44% | FURIA 67%
- Ancient: — | —
Likely vetoes:
- FURIA will likely remove Dust2, where Vitality are nearly unbeatable (11 straight wins).
- Vitality should ban Overpass, avoiding the FalleN–KSCERATO setup that thrives on structured map control.
Possible picks:
- Vitality: Inferno or Nuke — maps where their defensive setups shine.
- FURIA: Overpass or Train — playgrounds for their fast-paced tactical chaos.
Potential decider: Mirage — historically even ground, where early duels between ZywOo and YEKINDAR could dictate the entire series.
Key Duels
- ZywOo vs KSCERATO — two pillars of excellence. The French superstar dominates openers, while the Brazilian anchor is unmatched in clutch impact.
- FalleN vs apEX — the captains’ duel of philosophies: apEX plays with emotion and momentum; FalleN with patience and calculation.
- ropz vs yuurih — a silent war of lurkers, where one good timing can flip an entire map.
VRS Forecast — The Battle for #1
According to updated Valve Regional Standings:
- Vitality (#2, 1963 pt): a win would push them to #1 (+30 pt); a loss could drop them to #3 (–26 pt).
- FURIA (#1, 1973 pt): victory strengthens their lead (+7 pt), while defeat would push them down to #2 (–13 pt).
This grand final is not only for the trophy — it’s for the top spot in world Counter-Strike.
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Prediction
This matchup is a clash of philosophies — European discipline vs Brazilian instinct. Vitality bring superior map depth, playoff experience, and consistency, while FURIA rely on confidence, team spirit, and unpredictable tempo shifts. Expect a marathon of five maps filled with comebacks, mid-round adaptations, and emotional highs.
Predicted Score: Vitality 3–2 FURIA — a fierce, evenly matched grand final worthy of closing out IEM Chengdu 2025.
