In 2025, Team Vitality delivered an almost perfect season, losing only one best-of-three and one best-of-one. They put together what many consider the most dominant run within such a short period — 37 straight wins, seven S-tier LAN titles, an Intel Grand Slam, and a Major trophy. Now, they are aiming to add another Major to their record in Budapest.
The Fall From Grace?
Since the Major, Vitality seem to have entered a slight downward trend. They were eliminated in the semifinals at both IEM Cologne and the BLAST Bounty Season 2 Finals, finished fourth at the Esports World Cup 2025, and placed second at the BLAST Open London Finals after losing to G2 Esports in the grand final.
The team that looked untouchable during the first half of the year finally showed vulnerability — falling to MOUZ after eight straight wins against them, and suffering back-to-back defeats to The MongolZ after beating them six times in a row.
The Best Players
With ZywOo, Vitality possess the best player in the world. His consistency in high-pressure moments and his ability to take over games give the team a constant win condition that few opponents can match. They also have one of the best in-game leaders in apEX, while ropz remains nearly untouchable in big matches.
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flameZ is still among the most impactful riflers despite occasional struggles — when he finds his rhythm, his output can be devastating. And finally, mezii is enjoying the best year of his career after months of early struggles; his anchoring and positional play make him shine like the star he once promised to be.
Still the Best Team
Even with these recent setbacks, Vitality are still consistently reaching the late stages of events, remaining the most reliable team of the season. They currently hold the #1 spot in the HLTV rankings, having dropped to second for only a single week after The MongolZ won the Esports World Cup. With another trophy lifted at ESL Pro League Season 22, Vitality seem to be back on track.
Their map pool remains a major strength. They hold a 90% win rate on Dust2, with only one loss in the past three months. They also excel on Inferno, Nuke, and Mirage, while Train and Overpass sit at around 50%. Earlier in the year, Vitality were 11-1 on Train — if they rediscover that form, they’ll have almost no weak maps left.
Joining the Most Elite Club
With their sights set on a third Major — and a second in a row — Vitality are close to joining one of the most exclusive clubs in Counter-Strike history.
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Only three teams have ever won back-to-back Majors: Fnatic (2015), Luminosity/SK (2016–17), and the legendary Astralis roster (2018–19). Among them, only Fnatic and Astralis have won three or more Majors — Fnatic claiming their first in 2013 and two more in 2015, and Astralis beginning their run in 2017 before winning three straight between 2018 and 2019.
Vitality now have the chance to become one of the most decorated teams in Counter-Strike history — and to establish the first true era since Astralis’s dominance ended in 2020.
Is There Any Real Competition?
Spirit made two roster changes to stay competitive, but it’s still unclear whether they can reach the level required to challenge Vitality. Their ceiling is high, but their chemistry remains a question heading into Budapest.
Falcons have yet to find their ideal rhythm with the addition of kyosuke. Meanwhile, The MongolZ shocked everyone by benching their best rifler senzu, replacing him with 28-year-old controlez — a move that makes another Major grand final run unlikely.
So perhaps Vitality’s biggest threat doesn’t come from Europe at all. If FURIA continue their rise and carry their momentum into the Major, they could turn into Vitality’s most dangerous rival — with FalleN hungry for yet another trophy before the year ends.
