Team Vitality concluded their flawless spring season on the highest possible note: the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 title became their sixth trophy of the year — and their second Major in the organization’s history. In the grand final, they overcame The MongolZ 2–1, emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle.
Road to the Title
Vitality navigated the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 with near-perfection, living up to their reputation as favorites. Their only loss came early in the Swiss stage — a best-of-one defeat to Legacy. But the setback only strengthened their resolve. They bounced back with commanding wins over Nemiga, 3DMAX, and Virtus.pro, finishing Stage 3 with a 3–1 record and a spot in the playoffs.
In the quarterfinals, they dispatched NAVI 2–0 with clinical efficiency, showcasing their tactical depth and versatility across maps. Their semifinal against MOUZ was a statement — a dominant, one-sided showing where Vitality dismantled every plan their opponents tried to execute. In the grand final, they met the tournament’s breakout sensation — The MongolZ — and proved why they are widely considered the best team in the world right now.
This trophy marks the second Major title for ZywOo and apEX — the first being BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, where ZywOo also took home MVP honors. For ropz, it was his first Major win as a member of Vitality, while flameZ and mezzi earned their very first career Major titles.
Map Recap
Map 1: Mirage — 13:5 to The MongolZ
The opening map, picked by The MongolZ, saw them come out swinging, claiming the T-side half 7–5. But the true shock came after the side switch: Vitality failed to win a single round on CT. The MongolZ strung together six straight rounds with flawless coordination, sharp entries, and confident clutch plays to secure a dominant victory.
Map 2: Dust2 — Vitality Strike Back
After a disastrous Mirage, Vitality entered Dust2 with renewed intensity. They seized control from the start, winning six of the first seven rounds on T side. mezzi was the star performer with 20 kills, a 1.91 rating, and near-flawless execution in key moments. Meanwhile, ZywOo completely outclassed Senzu in AWP duels — finishing with 5 sniper kills and 108 ADR.
This map turned the tide of the final — from here, Vitality never looked back.
Map 3: Inferno — a Confident Finish from Vitality
On the decisive map Inferno, Vitality left no doubts about the outcome. Playing on the T side in the first half, they took full control of the game, building a comfortable 9:3 lead. mezzi and flameZ topped the scoreboard with 21 kills each — with flameZ delivering a flawless performance, finishing with a 100% KAST.
After the side switch, Vitality wasted no time closing things out. apEX emerged as the unexpected hero of the map, finishing with 17 kills, 13 assists, and a 1.63 rating. Despite a few individual sparks from The MongolZ, they were unable to break through Vitality’s defense.
With a 13:6 win, Vitality put a definitive end to the grand final and cemented their dominance, securing the second Major title in the organization’s history.
apEX — The Final’s Best Player
In the grand final, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire delivered one of his most impactful performances in recent memory:
- 1.37 HLTV rating across three maps
- 94.1 ADR — the highest on the server
- 43 total kills, +10 K/D differential
- Massive utility and support presence, leading with 13 assists on Inferno
- Clutch presence, including key multi-kill rounds that swung the momentum
The veteran in-game leader didn’t just deliver a strong individual performance — he was the driving force behind Vitality’s flawless execution in the grand final. In a team full of stars, apEX remained the tactical backbone and emotional anchor, once again proving why he’s regarded as one of the most respected captains of the CS2 era. But this victory carries an even deeper meaning.
With three Major titles under his belt — DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015 (with EnVyUs), BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, and BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — apEX has officially joined Counter-Strike’s “Golden Club”. He is now the ninth player in history to win three or more Majors. That elite list includes only the greatest: dupreeh, dev1ce, gla1ve, Magisk, Xyp9x, JW, pronax, and flusha.
Community Reaction
The grand final was over — and the community exploded. On forums, in Telegram chats, and across social media, fans flooded in to praise apEX for the victory:
- “3 Majors for apEX! Well deserved!”
- “It’s not a real Major without a BO5 grand final!”
- “apEX, when’s the shaved head celebration?” — joked fans, hinting at potential celebration antics.
Even before the final, some skeptics dismissed the possibility:
- “This won’t even happen in your dreams,” they wrote on HLTV.
But after Vitality’s win, the tone changed — memes gave way to respect, and emotions ran deeper than words. This wasn’t just a triumph for Vitality.
The MongolZ — Worthy Finalists
Despite the loss, The MongolZ’s appearance in a Major final is a historic achievement for Asian Counter-Strike. Their upset victories over FaZe and paiN, and a run all the way to the final, turned 910, Senzu, and bLitz into overnight stars.
In particular, Senzu stood out with a consistently strong performance — maintaining a 1.25+ rating even in the final.
Player Statistics – Grand Final
What’s Next?
Vitality have solidified their status as the dominant force of 2025. With IEM Cologne on the horizon, they are now eyeing the Intel Grand Slam as their next major goal. As for The MongolZ, they leave Austin as fan favorites and rising stars. Without a doubt, their HLTV ranking will climb — and their reputation has skyrocketed.
Vitality win BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — clean, professional, and spectacular. ZywOo once again proves he is the heart of this team.
And The MongolZ? They’ve opened a new chapter for Asian CS. From now on, they’re not just underdogs — they’re true contenders on the world stage.
