The IEM Melbourne 2025 Grand Final promises to be one of the most exciting battles of the spring in the world of Counter-Strike 2.
Vitality, a powerhouse team riding a 20-match winning streak, is aiming to cement their absolute dominance in the new CS era. For them, a victory in Australia isn’t just another title – it’s a statement of superiority after transitioning to CS2.
On the other hand, Falcons arrive at the final as a newly assembled superteam that has already begun to live up to high expectations. After signing stars like NiKo and m0NESY, the roster is still early in its development, but they have already proven they have the character, ambition, and talent to challenge the very best.
NiKo ahead of the final said:
“We respect Vitality a lot. But I truly believe in our team: if we show our best game — we will win.”
This final is a clash of raw potential against seasoned experience.
Journey to the Grand Final
Vitality marched through the tournament without dropping a single map. They swept through the competition, defeating Liquid and FlyQuest to secure a direct path into the semifinals. There, they faced The MongolZ, who tried to put up a fight, but once again, the discipline, tempo control, and teamwork led by ZywOo proved too much to handle.
Following the semifinal, Vitality’s captain apEX stated:
“We’re not planning to slow down. Our goal is to finish this tournament strongly, giving our opponents no chance.”
Falcons kicked off their campaign with a strong win against GamerLegion, showcasing aggressive attacking setups. However, their true test came in the semifinal against MOUZ. Falcons not only beat one of the most consistent teams in the world — they utterly dismantled them, allowing fewer than ten rounds across both maps.
It’s worth noting that Falcons had already faced Vitality earlier in this tournament, losing 2-0. However, the Falcons have since significantly improved their synergy and form, and now they seek revenge at the perfect time.
After their dominant semifinal performance, m0NESY said:
“We are just starting to unlock our potential. Playing a final against Vitality is the perfect test for us.”
Form and Playstyles
Vitality play an extremely mature brand of Counter-Strike. Their approach is based on strict discipline, perfect map control, and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. ZywOo is currently in some of the best form of his career, putting up phenomenal numbers both on offense and defense. He is backed by ropz, known for his cold-blooded lurks, and flameZ, who aggressively opens rounds with fast-paced entries.
Falcons, by contrast, lean heavily into individual brilliance and a highly aggressive style. NiKo and m0NESY frequently win critical clutches and break open key areas of the map. TeSeS adds mid- and late-round aggression, while Magisk and kyxsan provide stability and structure on the defensive side.
Map Pool and Expected Battle
Map selection will be a crucial factor in this series.
Vitality hold a clear advantage on Dust2, boasting an almost 90% win rate over recent months. Their Nuke also looks terrifyingly strong, thanks to their clean coordination and smart calls from apEX and ZywOo.
Falcons will likely focus on Mirage and Nuke. Their Mirage has been a major weapon: aggressive mid control and dynamic AWP play from m0NESY have broken down many defensive setups. On Nuke, Falcons balance fast pushes with calculated map control, making them a tough opponent.
Leader Battles: Key Duels
One of the defining elements of this final will be the sniper showdown between ZywOo and m0NESY. It will be a true clash of generations — ZywOo’s composure and versatility versus m0NESY’s explosive aggression.
If m0NESY can consistently win the sniper duels, Falcons could seize the initiative and dictate the tempo.
Another crucial battle will be between NiKo and ropz.
While NiKo thrives as an aggressive rifler, relentlessly pushing for space, ropz excels as a master lurker, exploiting timing and positioning. Their indirect skirmishes could decide the balance of many key rounds.
Lastly, the leadership battle between kyxsan and apEX could be critical. apEX’s wealth of experience in grand finals might prove decisive if Falcons struggle to impose their game plan early.
It is also important to remember that if Vitality wins this tournament, they will secure their fourth S-Tier title and thus claim victory in Season 5 of the ESL Grand Slam.
The ESL Grand Slam is a $1,000,000 prize awarded to the first team that wins four S-Tier tournaments organized by ESL within a span of 10 consecutive events, including IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, or an ESL Major Championship in CS.
This prize is awarded directly to the players.
Match Prediction
Analysts fairly lean toward Vitality as the favorites: stability, a deeper map pool, and elite individual form all give them a theoretical edge.
However, finals are a different beast.
Falcons have the firepower and momentum to break the script — especially if they manage to win the first map and drag Vitality out of their comfort zone.
The most likely outcome is a 3-1 victory for Vitality.
Still, if Falcons manage to steal either Dust2 or Nuke, this series could very well go the full distance and become a five-map thriller.
Why This Final Matters
The Grand Final in Melbourne is more than just a match for a trophy.
It’s a chance to make history.
For Vitality, it’s an opportunity to solidify their dynasty in CS2.
For Falcons, it’s a shot to rise immediately to the top and dramatically shift the global power balance.
It’s also a golden chance to avenge their earlier defeat to Vitality in this tournament — and to do it on the biggest stage possible.
