The Stage 2 Round of 16 clash between EYEBALLERS and Team Vitality concluded with a confident 2–0 victory for Vitality, sending the French-led powerhouse through to the BLAST Bounty 2026 LAN Finals. While EYEBALLERS showed moments of resistance—particularly on their map pick—Vitality’s composure and individual quality ultimately defined the series.
Road to the matchup — opportunity versus inevitability
EYEBALLERS entered the match aware of the uphill battle ahead but eager to test themselves on a big stage. Recent results suggested they could be competitive, especially if their comfort picks allowed them to dictate tempo early.
Vitality arrived as clear favorites, riding a seven-match winning streak and carrying expectations of a deep run. With LAN qualification on the line, their task was to stay disciplined and avoid giving EYEBALLERS any opening.
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Anubis — 19:16. Resistance, then resolution
On Anubis, EYEBALLERS’ pick, the underdogs pushed Vitality harder than expected. The map developed into a tense affair with multiple momentum swings and late-round battles. Despite EYEBALLERS forcing overtime, Vitality’s experience shone through. Cleaner executions and better clutch conversion in extra rounds allowed them to edge out the opener 19:16.
Overpass — 13:8. Vitality take control
Overpass followed a more familiar script. Vitality established early control, consistently won opening duels, and denied EYEBALLERS the space needed to build structured attacks. EYEBALLERS managed isolated rounds, but Vitality never let the map slip. A composed 13:8 close sealed the series and confirmed Vitality’s progression.
A rivalry that spans more than a decade
Beyond the result itself, the match carried historical weight. Jesper “JW” Wecksell and Dan “apEX” Madesclaire once again faced each other on an official server, continuing a rivalry that dates back to 2013.
Their previous official meeting came at DreamHack Open Fall 2020, when JW was still playing for Fnatic. With this series added to the ledger, the all-time head-to-head record now stands at 44–36 in favor of the Swede — a rare reminder of how long some Counter-Strike rivalries truly last.
Player of the match — Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut
Vitality’s superstar once again delivered when it mattered:
- 1.37 rating
- 78.1 ADR
- 76.8% KAST
- +3.20% swing
ZywOo’s consistency across both maps provided stability in the tighter moments on Anubis and ensured control on Overpass.
Teamplay breakdown — experience over enthusiasm
Vitality secured the win through structure, patience, and superior late-round decision-making. Even when pushed into overtime, they remained calm and methodical. EYEBALLERS showed fight and flashes of individual quality, but the gap in experience became evident in the series’ most critical moments.
VRS impact
- Vitality: +6 points — further strengthening their top-tier ranking
- EYEBALLERS: –15 points — a notable drop following elimination
Tournament implications
With this victory, Vitality qualify for the BLAST Bounty 2026 LAN Finals and continue to look every bit like a title contender. Their ability to close both tense and controlled maps highlights a team fully comfortable under pressure. EYEBALLERS exit the tournament with valuable experience gained, having tested themselves against one of the scene’s elite squads. Vitality move on — composed, consistent, and firmly LAN-bound.
