Robin “ropz” Kool sat down for an in-depth conversation ahead of the IEM Melbourne semi-final, reflecting on Team Vitality’s incredible form in 2025, their 19-match winning streak, his resurgence as a top performer, the development of CS2, and the unique energy of Australian crowds. This interview was conducted exclusively for Esports.gg.
How Vitality hit peak form ahead of IEM Melbourne
After a challenging 2024 season, Team Vitality took a hard look at their performance and completely revamped their approach. They kicked off 2025 in phenomenal form: internal tensions were resolved, the players found individual consistency, and their new signing — Robin “ropz” Kool — seamlessly slotted into apEX’s system.
The result? A 19-match win streak across top-tier tournaments and legitimate chances to win both the ESL Grand Slam and the BLAST.tv Austin Major. Yet despite the dominance, the team remains grounded and self-aware.
ropz’s stats:
- Rating – 1.23
- Impact – 1.15
- ADR – 79.6
- KAST – 78.5
READ MORE: Vitality 2025 — 91 Days Unbeaten. A New Golden Era or Just a “Honeymoon Phase”?
Key quotes from ropz in his interview with Esports.gg
“We don’t really talk about the win streak, but after each match we’re like, ‘Oh, it’s 19 now!’ We know we’re going to lose eventually. The scene is so competitive — it’s just a matter of time.”
Ropz openly admits that Vitality are aware their winning streak can’t last forever. This calm and realistic mindset helps the team avoid emotional burnout and stay focused.
“We have high standards — in preparation, communication, everything. We haven’t changed anything, because what we do works. We just keep doing what brings results.”
The team runs like a machine — no panic, no overconfidence. Their success stems from respecting every detail of preparation and staying consistent.
“His [apEX’s] experience and calmness keep the team grounded. He remembers how badly things went last year — and none of us want that to happen again.”
ApEX has become the mental anchor of Vitality. He uses past failures as motivation and perspective for the whole team.
“CS2 was raw back then — sound, LAN, subtick — everything was underdeveloped. But Valve have made many improvements over two years… Now, most of the issues are just online.”
Ropz highlights CS2’s growth since its shaky debut at IEM Sydney 2023. While online play still has some issues, the game now feels much more polished and stable on LAN.
What this interview tells us
This interview shows that Vitality are approaching success with maturity and perspective. There’s no talk of being “unbeatable” or “on top of the world.” On the contrary — ropz and his teammates understand that every tournament is a clean slate, and there’s no room for arrogance in today’s CS2 scene. The interview also reflects a healthy team culture. There’s no forced optimism or added pressure — just clear focus and commitment to consistent performance.
One standout takeaway is ropz’s humility. He repeatedly emphasizes the team’s collective effort rather than his own individual contributions — always a good sign in a championship-caliber lineup.
What lies ahead for Vitality
For fans, ropz’s words are reassuring. They show that the team remains grounded and understands the true value of winning. That builds trust and strengthens the emotional bond between players and supporters.
For Vitality themselves, this mindset is another form of mental resilience. The idea that “everything passes — both wins and losses” reduces the internal pressure during tough matches. That kind of thinking could be key to strong playoff performances, especially at major events like the BLAST.tv Austin Major.
