On August 16, one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament will take place on the stage of the BLAST Bounty 2025 Season 2 LAN Finals — current world No. 1 Vitality will face the fourth-ranked The MongolZ in a Best of 3 semifinal. At stake is not only a ticket to the grand final but also a chance to get closer to one of the most prestigious trophies of the season. For Vitality, it’s another opportunity to reaffirm their absolute dominance, while for The MongolZ, it’s a chance to make history with a breakthrough the entire Asian scene has been waiting for.
Previous Meeting — Double Strike from Vitality at IEM Cologne 2025
The last time these teams met was on July 29, 2025, in the group stage of IEM Cologne, where the French-European giants left no chance for their opponents.
- Inferno (Vitality pick) — 13:8: ZywOo and ropz took control from the very first rounds, and Vitality’s disciplined defense prevented The MongolZ from mounting even a hint of a comeback.
- Mirage (The MongolZ pick) — 13:5: Vitality dismantled the opponent’s attacking setups, forcing the Mongolian squad into a series of hopeless force-buy rounds.
Back then, the difference in class was evident, and to change the script this time, The MongolZ will need to present a fresh approach to the game.
Road to the BLAST Bounty 2025 Season 2 Semifinals
Vitality went through the group stage without losing a single series, defeating Liquid (2–0), Legacy (2–0), and NRG (2–0). apEX’s squad played with exemplary discipline, using multi-layered tactical schemes: precise early-round executions, aggressive map control, and instant punishment for opponents’ mistakes.
ZywOo, with a 1.31 rating over the past three months, remains the most consistent clutch player on the global stage. ropz adds versatility and masterful play in key positions, while flameZ provides tempo with aggressive entries and a high percentage of opening kills.
The MongolZ also went undefeated in groups, overcoming Aurora (2–0), paiN (2–0), and ENCE (2–1). Their main strength has been the ability to come back into games after poor starts, which was particularly evident in their comeback against ENCE. blitz and Techno skillfully alternated aggression with controlled pace, while Senzu’s sensational form allowed them to win key duels. However, it’s worth noting that in this tournament, The MongolZ have yet to face an opponent of Vitality’s caliber.
Current Form and Key Players
Vitality come into the semifinal on a three-match winning streak, including a confident repeat victory over The MongolZ in the top-4 decider (Mirage 13–5, Inferno 13–8). ZywOo continues to dominate in all aspects of the game — from aggressive pick duels to decisive clutches — while ropz and flameZ consistently create pressure across the map. apEX maintains flexibility in tempo control and adapts quickly to the opponent’s adjustments.
The MongolZ remain on a winning streak, but most of their victories have come against lower-tier teams. Their main weapon is Senzu (1.14 rating), who combines aggression with sharp aim, as well as blitz, who sets the team’s pace. However, against a maximally organized opponent, the Mongolian squad sometimes loses coordination, which could be a decisive factor in a series against Vitality.
Map Pool and Veto
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: Vitality 100% | MongolZ 75%
- Mirage: Vitality 80% | MongolZ 73%
- Inferno: Vitality 78% | MongolZ 14%
- Nuke: Vitality 83% | MongolZ 80%
- Train: Vitality 67% | MongolZ — not played
- Ancient: Vitality — not played | MongolZ 67%
- Overpass: Vitality 100% (1 map) | MongolZ — not played
Likely bans:
- Vitality will remove Ancient to avoid unpredictability.
- The MongolZ will remove Overpass or Inferno to eliminate one of Vitality’s strongest maps.
Likely picks:
- Vitality — Dust2 or Nuke (stable wins and structured play).
- The MongolZ — Mirage, their trademark map with an aggressive style.
A potential decider is likely to be Nuke or Inferno, where Vitality should have a greater tactical edge.
Key Duels
- ZywOo vs Senzu — a global superstar against Mongolia’s top talent; this matchup could set the tone for the entire series.
- ropz vs Techno — positional mastery versus aggressive entries, with map space on the line.
- apEX vs blitz — an experienced tactician against a bold leader whose calls often dictate the team’s pace.
Prediction
Vitality enter the semifinal as clear favorites. The team has already beaten The MongolZ twice in the last three weeks with 2–0 scorelines, showcasing complete superiority in both tactics and individual skill. The MongolZ can fight back on their own pick, but to change history, they’ll need to play at their absolute peak and force Vitality out of their comfort zone.
Predicted score: Vitality 2–0
