In Copenhagen, one of the most anticipated matches of the ESL Pro League Season 22 Swiss stage took place — a European derby between Team Vitality and G2 Esports. Both teams entered the match with a 2–1 record, meaning the winner would advance directly to the playoffs while the loser would have to fight again in the decisive fifth round. Vitality left no room for doubt, defeating G2 2:0 (13:2 Inferno, 16:13 Mirage) and officially securing their spot in Stage 2.
Road to the Match
Vitality arrived in Copenhagen in excellent form after a series of confident performances. The ZywOo-led squad began the tournament with a 0:2 loss to Gentle Mates, followed by a 2:0 victory over GamerLegion and another convincing 2:0 win against HOTU. Despite the early setback, the “bees” remained one of the main favorites to reach the playoffs, as both ZywOo and ropz continued to display consistently high form.
G2, on the other hand, experienced an inconsistent run. The team started with victories over FaZe (by technical forfeit) and FURIA (2:0), but later suffered a painful defeat against Spirit. Heading into the match against Vitality, G2 looked motivated and well-prepared, yet their strategy quickly fell apart under the relentless pressure of their opponent.
Inferno — Total Domination from Vitality
G2 chose Inferno, hoping to leverage their structured T-side, but Vitality immediately took full control. Under apEX’s leadership, the team displayed flawless coordination: ZywOo was locking down the map with his AWP, ropz dominated in duels, and mezii, the team’s new in-game leader, was unstoppable in micro-moments.
Vitality stormed to a 10:2 first-half lead and quickly closed the map 13:2 after the side switch. G2 couldn’t find a single way to break through the defense and looked completely out of rhythm on their own pick.
Mirage — A Fight Until the End, but Vitality Prevail
The action on Mirage, Vitality’s map pick, turned out to be much closer. G2 finally started fighting back — HeavyGod and SunPayus found impact in duels, while huNter- tried to rally the team emotionally. The first half ended 9:3 in favor of Vitality, but G2 mounted a strong comeback to bring the score to 14:13.
Just as the comeback seemed within reach, Vitality showed their championship mentality once again. mezii won two decisive rounds in a row, while ropz closed out the final attack with a sharp double entry. Final score — 16:13, series 2:0, and Vitality move on.
Player Stats
Individual Performances
- William “mezii” Merriman was named MVP of the match, finishing with 40–27 K–D, 88.5 ADR, and a 1.48 HLTV 3.0 rating. His composure and smart clutch decisions were vital to the team’s success.
- Robin “ropz” Kool once again delivered world-class numbers — 41–29 K–D, 99.0 ADR, 1.27 rating — neutralizing key threats throughout both maps.
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut put on another strong showing with 37–26 K–D and a 1.25 rating, showcasing surgical precision on Mirage.
- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire maintained full control of the game, dictating tempo and rotations, while flameZ added aggression on critical entry points.
For G2, the standout was Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko — 33–32 K–D, 78.3 ADR, and a 1.28 rating. He was the team’s most consistent performer across both maps. Álvaro “SunPayus” García (1.28) also showed moments of brilliance, but huNter-, MATYS, and malbsMd couldn’t find impact to match the intensity of Vitality.
Head-to-Head
This was already the eighth meeting between Vitality and G2 in 2025. Statistically, Vitality now lead the rivalry 7 maps to 3. Their previous clash came at BLAST Open London 2025, where Vitality triumphed 3–2 in the grand final. This latest win only strengthens their dominance over one of their oldest European rivals.
Tournament Impact
With this victory, Team Vitality advance to the ESL Pro League Season 22 playoffs with a 3–1 record, becoming the fifth team to secure a Stage 2 spot. For the French-European squad, this marks their fifth consecutive ESL Pro League playoff appearance, solidifying their reputation for top-tier consistency. Meanwhile, G2 Esports drop to 2–2 and must now fight for the last remaining playoff slot in the decisive fifth round of the Swiss stage.
- Vitality displayed the composure and confidence of true champions.
- mezii continues to establish himself as one of the best in-game leaders on the modern scene.
- G2 showed glimpses of potential but fell short both individually and tactically.
Vitality’s dominant win over G2 confirms their resurgence — the “bees” are back in peak form and ready to chase another ESL Pro League title.
