On the ESL Pro League Season 22 stage, one of the most anticipated playoff clashes awaits — Brazilian powerhouse FURIA vs the French-European giant Vitality. The format is Best of 3 (LAN), with a semifinal spot at stake — a potential turning point for both teams as they aim to solidify their late-season form.
Head-to-head — Vitality’s Undeniable Dominance
The numbers speak for themselves: Vitality have won all of the last five maps, leaving FURIA without a single victory. Their most recent encounter took place at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, where the “bees” triumphed 13–6 on Mirage. Earlier, at ESL Pro League Season 20 and IEM Cologne 2024, Vitality once again dismantled the Brazilians (13–3, 13–2).
For FURIA, this match is more than just another series — it’s an attempt to break their long-standing curse. Fallen’s squad hasn’t beaten Vitality since the CS:GO era, and now with YEKINDAR and molodoy added, they aim to prove they can compete at the top level.
Group Stage Journey — Different Paths to Confidence
FURIA — Resilience and Structural Growth
The Brazilian side showed strong fighting spirit during the group stage. They defeated 3DMAX (2–0), edged out Aurora (2–1), but fell short against G2 (0–2) and Inner Circle (0–2). Despite the inconsistencies, FURIA looked organized. KSCERATO (1.22 rating, 77.4% KAST) once again served as the team’s rock — disciplined, clutch-capable, and reliable under pressure. FalleN continues to balance aggression with tactical restraint, mentoring younger teammates effectively. Meanwhile, YEKINDAR is slowly adapting — his unpredictable style brings both pressure and volatility, which can either break the opponent’s defense or cost crucial rounds.
Vitality — Consistency Turned Confidence
For Vitality, the group stage was a textbook display of dominance. Wins over Gentle Mates (2–0), HOTU (2–0), and GamerLegion (2–0) showcased that apEX’s squad has regained its groove after a shaky summer. ZywOo (1.23 rating, 0.81 KPR, 84.4 ADR) continues to perform at a world-class level, while ropz provides unmatched stability as both a lurker and clutch specialist. flameZ brings energy to entry duels, and mezii has fully integrated into the lineup, maintaining a balance between aggression and structure. Vitality look systematic, mature, and without a single weak link — a team built for deep playoff runs.
Map Pool and Veto Analysis
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: FURIA 47% | Vitality 88%
- Mirage: FURIA 71% | Vitality 64%
- Inferno: FURIA 70% | Vitality 73%
- Nuke: FURIA 86% | Vitality 62%
- Train: FURIA 56% | Vitality 43%
- Overpass: FURIA 71% | Vitality 80%
- Ancient: FURIA — not played | Vitality — not played
Likely vetoes:
- FURIA will likely remove Dust2, where Vitality hold a clear statistical edge.
- Vitality could ban Nuke, avoiding the early-round chaos that FURIA often thrives on.
Possible picks:
- FURIA: Mirage — a map where FalleN’s AWP control and tactical mid-round calls can shine.
- Vitality: Overpass — their structure and discipline make them near unstoppable here.
Potential decider:
Inferno — the perfect battleground between Vitality’s experience and FURIA’s passion. One clutch from ZywOo or KSCERATO could decide the entire series.
Key Duels
- ZywOo vs KSCERATO — a clash of superstars. Both are engines of their teams, but ZywOo remains steadier under pressure.
- FalleN vs apEX — two captains and tacticians. Fallen is flexible and adaptive, while apEX’s modern playbook gives him a strategic edge.
- ropz vs YEKINDAR — a duel of timing and tempo. The Estonian lurker punishes mistakes, while YEKINDAR’s raw aggression can either break or backfire.
Current Form and Key Factors
Vitality enter this matchup as heavy favorites. They’ve won 7 of their last 8 series, hold the highest team rating among playoff contenders (1.18), and maintain perfect composure in high-pressure scenarios.
FURIA, on the other hand, approach the series after a run of intense matches where consistency was lacking — particularly on their T-sides. The Brazilians have the firepower to compete individually, but Vitality’s system looks stronger in every aspect: strategy, discipline, and mental stability.
Prediction
Vitality have all the tools to close this out decisively. Their map pool is deeper, their synergy between ropz, ZywOo, and flameZ is peaking, and their composure remains unmatched.
FURIA could make things interesting if FalleN and YEKINDAR hit form early, but a full upset seems unlikely.
Predicted score: Vitality 2–0 FURIA.
