It's very good.
He's a coach.
A manager, man.
So he's like, why are you ordering mackeys?
That's not in our nutritional guidelines.
He's obsessed with greens.
But his sensitivity page is full of it.
I said it doesn't make any sense, I'm saying it.
And I just passed it to him because it made more sense.
And this one, we got into the roof
and you can't see it here.
But as soon as we got into the roof, it started to rain.
It started to snow for a little while.
We had some technical difficulties, so me and Miha was just sitting outside like hands in our pockets looking back.
It's always nice to have some of these experiences.
The players that are here, they all know what they are playing for.
They all know that this stadium makes legends.
So when all of us here grow older and our children grow older,
we'll tell them about how it all began.
We'll tell them a story about how modern Counter-Strike was born in the Serena.
Every Counter-Strike fan starts to gather,
whether it's at home on the sofa at the PC or here in the Spode.
We are the generation that has seen Esports in its humble beginnings.
You are the people who found eSports, drove eSports and believed in it.
It's called the biggest eSports event on the planet for a reason.
Welcome to the Intellect Streamcast's world championship 2018.
Let's get it on!
Nico has been fantastic. We've been here looking for the ace.
Headshots all over the place as Nico likes to matter.
It's gonna open your turn.
He's only got the first two goals. Oh, it's Nico in the smoke as well.
He doesn't know what he's going to do, but he's going to back out.
Oh my god, how bad is this?
It's turn of the game.
This is the way to play this. Kim Solo, and then sneaking out, being phased!
Finally, close the game!
What a match!
Oh, Matt Katowice, this place gives me all the feel!
Let's get it on, it's NIV taking on Team Liquid!
That's 3-5 Team Liquid, really easy off here.
Now for Gen, he's stepped up so many times for Team Liquid and he's done it all.
That's good odds for Dennis though.
He is going to come alive. Oh, the third is won for Dennis!
This is it, this is Team Liquid, suffocating NIP in this last round.
There it is, 16-9 Team Liquid.
They're going to make their way to the semi-finals of IEM Canabisa.
We have people who were outside minus 12 degrees.
They were ready to get in here.
It is now packed, it is sold out, wherever you might be in the world.
Today is going to be something special.
And the star-studded rosters are about to butt-head.
Love boys!
The Intellectual Masters here in Katowice have never failed to deliver.
There's so much story on this stage between these players.
JW with the AWP, three kills from the Ruins.
Oh, shot! The rock moves through the smoke and that might be it.
Graham's going to town with the F44, he buys three, and Fnatic will move on two-oh again.
This team seems to be getting better and better.
FaZe, we're gonna sit your spot in the Grand Finals.
Last device, there's a chance you're a kid on device, but no, too many bodies, and there it is.
FaZe, making it to the Grand Finals of IEM.
In the next 2, 3, 4 hours, however long it takes, somebody will take the long walk down
this stage.
They will come down here with their teammates, they will take a breath, knowing the confetti
is ready, knowing they're about to pick up this trophy and that that is when they will
be crowned the Intel Extreme Masters Champions 2018.
He's got the cranks and Flusha and it's now down to a one on one, you knew where J.W.
was.
Nothing.
J.W.
could do.
Do face hold on and take their fit
Good flashback
The entire tournament so far
W's quick is third in the round it's off versus off and Gordy. It's kept
Butch hands needs him, but of course to bottom so far away. Oh, not only does he spot him. Thank you very much
Flush is going to clean out Kinecter.
That is one of the most impressive clutches you will ever see.
Flush, he's not going to allow that easily.
He gets it down to just Gordy at 17 HP.
Pushed off the angle and Flush has got us going the distance.
But it's Flush, he's going to slide off you, sending him another big one.
He's got another big one.
We finally silence but it's just
Go already in the walk-in ring, go up!
And the walk-in is bad!
Bad by an old team!
Fnatic has done it!
And a legendary brand, a legendary team, gets back on top.
They've won this knock before.
And for the third time, the first ever three-time champions that I am,
Del Pat, the trophy, they've earned it!
Fnatic!
Or your I am, they tell Extreme Masters kind of it's a champion 2018!
Fire!
We are back!
Three years since we were here in this, what I think is the beating heart of all eSports
and man.
What name is going to be scratched on this by the time we get to Sunday?
Well, that journey, my friends, starts now.
If G2 just going to the fight, they're going to end it here and now!
And G2 and Gata beats up to beat VP!
Everyone has been waiting for today from quarantine to quarterfinals.
It's FaZe Clan taking on Gata.
There's the shot, Robs is bound to, this is a one on four.
Oh no!
And Robs might just knock them all down.
So one before the Robs is looking to get over the line, to take this map away from Gambit.
And soft up through the window, Robs heard something.
Robs!
Oh!
There's the closer!
Robs!
Locking us to rocks and playing around.
Gambit, this is very slow. This is very labor.
This is wasting a lot of time.
A brookie's on for the ace.
Four out of five, he fires.
And there's the win.
And they go on and they look to send a message.
Everybody falls.
God damn it! That's how he ends here with his main squad. Oh, it's just beginning!
It's been three years and we are back.
Simplest synonymous with Spodec, but today he goes against a young talent that couldn't shut him down.
Here we go, simple. Run this way.
Oh, baby, he wants to get aggressive. He's got it.
Absolutely what you'd expect to see from simple on this stage.
This is still dangerous. This is nobby again going toward a stack.
And it's making place for you. Absolutely obliterated.
How much does Madison want to dedicate his life to this bomb site?
On Catwalk, find the timing in 8 seconds if you can drop the bomb and it'll be everything, but it travels into the site.
One on two for Modesty now.
It's that official.
This is position away!
You lost one of these and you are!
You're on this position!
Holy shit!
Quick step!
Trace down to go!
It's all on a Moomitch.
One versus two.
Big man's got moves.
Moomitch has crushed one back already in this game.
Starts it off well.
He goes along the kill simple.
Surely he has to be aware that he was up for the...
Oh, the position he certainly is!
Cold, composed influence will make it 12-12.
He don't have to reload, he's simply going to make it.
No!
He has shot instead, and Naki removed, and raced, and it's G2O has now
finally raked towards the final.
At the end of today, we'll be setting one of these teams
to the grand finals, whether you're a face fan,
a hold fan, or old fans of the beautiful game that
is Counter-Strike.
He's already on the scene, this guy doesn't like to hang around, he wants to play into it here and now, and there's the first war swing, and now he's seen another...
Brokey! This isn't even a clutch, but he's doing it all alone!
Incredible!
Brokey needs to capitalise, he needs them all, and they're collapsing upon him, they don't play the ball!
He lines up a double!
And fine! This might be the end of the games on the big stage!
Another cross to close it, and this time, he sends it to the Grand Finals!
We bring out two teams. Two teams that have never won here.
Two players leading them who have never won here.
They've tasted disappointment on this stage.
Today, that changes.
Phase just enough to stay alive.
Seven more in a row for Phase to force overtime.
Fast-paced towards Banana. The play has been called.
Hupster's going to turn that corner. JKS has got him.
I don't provide another flashbang from Kerrigan.
Utility is starting to be impactful.
JKS is starting to be impactful.
One round left.
Waps is in a huge amount of trouble.
He's gonna try and take matters into his own hands.
But Jax, he drops in!
Oh, talk about a misdony!
Oh, it's not a superstar!
Waps is on WAP!
He's trying to use the gap to see through spots.
Seize it.
Easy find of the kill.
Watch out, Hunter.
Not looking the right way to twist his bow.
The Odyssey goes straight back into the fixture and it's carrying in the half to hold the
kid.
The Odyssey's got holes on it.
How are we doing this again?
How are we going the distance once more?
that after all they can't, Odyssey's got holes on him!
How are we doing this again?
How are we going the distance once more?
Hunter and Odyssey, it's them against the world.
Hunter, Flash is in his favor, he got three!
Oh my, he's absolutely hunting all the prey today!
But if Rock gets shot at by an Orphanian...
JKS, couldn't stand in when Neptune for them.
Odyssey, back in the corner!
And this is absolutely doable now.
Quick tap, falls off, and he falls to the right way.
So as not to be spawned, Alexi beats it, waits it out,
but JKS mustn't!
Does he have the time though?
It's gonna be so close!
FaZe in line, not two!
And never looked to nothing in a series.
That is unbelievable, the Senna's looking this man not due for FaZe.
It's all on cow walkers, no other options for cheating.
They've lost twice on this stage, 2017, 2018, the King of Counter-Strike, the man who led
Faze, chances taken by so many players, so many gambles on this team, but it finally paid off.
The Intel Extreme Masters kind of hits the champions, Faze glad in 2022.
The catabits are cursed, it's broken, Apex over Vitality, they make the grand final here in Poland.
So long time waiting, I miss that trophy so bad.
When we walk into the stage, I'm looking at it, two majors, I want Cologne, I just
miss that one piece, which is Katowice.
No pressure that we can get, it's from the crowd cheering against us.
It's always funny to win against the crowd and make everyone silent.
for that trophy, something iconic is about to happen.
Get the vids on, kill, run away!
Going to the farm, they probably had a revenge in my mind.
I have a guy in Cy rules, I knew it's going to be different for sure.
I knew that guy is going to pull off some things.
I have some personal vendetta against him, so I had a couple of tricks up my sleeve as well.
Some players knows how to win. That guy knows how to win.
He knows how to be good in big games.
It doesn't mean that he will be good at every big game.
When you play with Robin, he gives you confidence just by the way he talks.
How Kami is during the round, etc.
Not by his pitch, but the way he talks during the game, the way he plays.
With Faze, we had a lot of success. We won those tournaments,
but my strategy is going to be different, so we have to find our own recipe.
I think they're just happy to have me, and I think most of it brings confidence to the team.
Let's go!
Play with your headphones, play with your headphones, because we discussed it.
Listen to Leonid in the middle, everything will work out.
Let's go!
I'm taking paint.
Trying to chase down magics, but now the rotates arrive and so quickly this site feels stacked.
It's the student and the master side by side trying to claw this back.
And that means from Shiro, does it cost you dealing?
Fall in a molotov! Side by side!
The 2v5! And that gets Fall in the ice beam! That gets him pumped up!
Oh, no!
He's in the site, now getting pinched.
Not easy for Mollinoy!
High pressure, high pressure, and he's not going anywhere!
Oh, man! Mollinoy!
Stepping up when it matters, greedy fight coming back.
What is this, no?
3 on 3, you don't want to put an AK into the hands of Saewoo!
To show power!
Power!
He is inevitable!
She's going to go for a fake and hope for an over extension of the double swing.
Oh, and the double spray!
Flames, he's found another!
Flames he's found an answer. It's Flames he's charged for impact and he's just gonna...
OW!
Deliver Flamesy!
He didn't want to...
Listen, okay? I know what they're doing. We need to push out there. We need to do something. We need to push lovely, okay?
Oh no, I'm told you've nearly got completely caught. Still gives up some space. Opens up the conversation a little, brahland.
Couple of passes. Would have been fine. Would have been fine.
T side eco round wins for Vitality. They can't keep coming this easy.
This is where Torgie needs to get himself more.
Double kill!
About three!
Mousa's sniper does deliver.
Shots down the vitality mid-split.
TV!
They can't find Robs!
They can't find him through the smoke!
He gets the gun!
Arila, hello!
and Pasha biceps. Hello Pasha. Hello my friends, hello everyone. How you doing bud? You uh you
finding Krakow good? You finding the Intel Extreme Masters just like you like it? Uh I would like
to finish here and I am very shaky right now. I feel very shaky being here you know close these
steps. These are my steps here, two steps. So I love this very much. I've been on the stage for
for a one minute and still I am shaky and shaky.
Tell it, okay, so which of these steps do you want to claim?
Go ahead, you take them on.
Boom, that's it.
Yeah!
2014 Major, that was the first time
I think I ever watched you guys play.
That was a surreal environment.
And Poland has always had really good crowds.
What can you tell them out there?
Give it a shot, show us that it's worth it, that these tournaments are coming back to us, show us a really cool doping.
So that we have more of this all the time, because we all love esports, we came here to cheer, to have nice emotions, so I invite you all to have fun, my friends.
Show us that it's worth coming back here, that we have beautiful friends,
Ambassador Papito and everyone around us, we are cheering for this sport and a good joke. So my friends, good luck.
I would say Janky, but I just want to know if you got Vitaliy or Fiora.
I support very well and big for Fallen and Mr. Ape.
These are old school players, so my biceps are crushed.
So I don't know which one I support them both.
So let's go for a good show and a very good match.
Spirit vs. Mouse, any takers?
I think Spirit, but I think the third place match for that kind of players
of players because they would like to be like champions so I don't know the adrenaline everything
going down right now so this is like a YOLO YOLO let's do just that thank you very much YOLO
YOLO YOLO YOLO okay thank you very much guys the only YOLO once thank you very much
the Intel Extreme Masters Krakow 2026 brought to you by ESL in partnership with Intel
Acer Predator
DHL
Zowler
and City of Fun
Rafa, really making history. Absolutely phenomenal.
And Ace is the champion of the NFL extreme map.
World final.
Storm still in the high five.
Dianne is gonna take this fight for three seconds left.
Well, there's two rounds.
And we've just gotta start it before we see.
And this is a massive group of six.
But he's not content with just the Nexus kill.
He's not gonna die!
She is!
And it's all done!
A full twist!
Unbelievable road with a full channel victory over Clash.
And they did it again in the Black Matters!
It's not a deal!
Give it up for your intel, extreme masters!
World Champion!
The very last day of play it is that championship Sunday but before we can crown a winner, it's
time for the losers.
That's why me and Chad are here anyway.
We're going to be bringing you all the reaction for that third place decider which matters
for a reason that Chad's going to explain.
Well hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up.
I have multiple reasons.
Not just one.
All the one.
Okay.
the prize pool. Okay. There's a big difference there. It's got 46,000 different and that's
called hard cash. And in this economy, Alex, that's like a pair of Louboutins for each
player. On top of that, we've got VRS points. We know how important that is. Now, both of
these teams are relatively high up in the ranking, but Spirit are not attending Cluj.
So this could be more valuable for them down the stretch. And then we can start looking
at some of the in-game items that are in play. And I'm not talking about the skins. I'm talking
about the complexion of the teams. This is a new Spirit roster. So the more they can get
that stage reps, especially with Tanea, that's more practice.
This is better than practice, right?
This is a live game on the stage.
You're able to go through your map pool,
you're able to iron out some kinks,
you're able to get more reps in before the next event,
where you will be trying to deliver.
And for males, on the other hand, I'm not sure.
I feel like cracks have to be starting to show at this point.
And if they can pick themselves up after yesterday's
embarrassment, that'll be impressive.
Now, that makes a lot of sense.
Even just the fact, you know, we were talking about it yesterday
during that semi-final, the fact that these are head-to-head
to going to see throughout the season,
We get to see how the spirit and mouths shape up.
Will mouths bounce back?
I mean, I'm not sure.
Look, right now, I know it's not exact lineups,
but mouths have lost the last four outings to spirit.
So to be able to get on top of them here,
even though it is just a third place deciding match,
we'll have ramifications, right?
It's the mental residue, it builds up,
and those mind games that we talk about.
We don't know what events they're gonna go toe to toe at,
but if they do, down the line, at the major in Cologne,
This would be a reference for them.
Exactly.
You get a little bit more comfortable
with the level of opponent and getting a win,
it's always gonna help out the mental,
especially when you're going up against Donk.
So, can Maus recover and just Spirit have the mental to perform in a game where they want
to be competing for this trophy?
This was the former champ, they wanted to go up against the reigning champ, and now
they're just going to have to come on in and do their best today.
Yes, so Maus and Spirit going to be duking and outwrestling for that wooden spoon, and
we're going to be joining you on the casting booth.
It is one of the biggest games that they've played.
It is Maus, and I do say one of the biggest games because it's the third-fourth place
of sighter.
Not exactly what they wanted, but Cyclone was gracious enough to give us his time before
we started the game today.
Right out of the gate, you were sent out of the semis by Vitality.
Let's talk about the game just a little bit.
You know, Vitality is a great team.
We were of course hoping that the distance would be closer again,
as it's been in some of the previous games,
but let's be honest, yesterday it wasn't like those.
We messed up in a lot of situations.
I think three times we lost to Glocks or to Lowe by Pistols,
and we were on the back foot quite often,
and it was going to be a tough game.
I think even if we converted those,
but also if you want to beat the best,
You need to show up and we didn't I totally see what you're saying right there
So I mean 13-7 nuke there were six unanswered rounds by vitality CT side
Then on dust you guys split pistols, right?
But you won the first pistol you lose that conversion round the second round how detrimental is that like how much does that hurt?
It hurts a lot, of course
I mean, you know against Vitellis they will win some of these rounds at times
It's on us to stay sharp on the protocol to make sure it doesn't happen too often
Of course if it happens as much as it did yesterday
You don't deserve to win it and we know against them the margin for us. It doesn't allow for a lot
So crucial especially on that map pick. So today you look at spirit. They lost a furia 2-1 nuke looked a little rigid for spirit
Ken mouse sort of exploit the things that spirit were shown in the server yesterday
Definitely, I think spirits don't need to figure out the new role distribution
And at the same time they have a lot of very good individuals and that's gonna be the task
So let's get down to the nitty gritty here
What do you really think about third-fourth place deciders?
Oh, that's a good question. I think it's a difficult one to set yourself up for mentally.
We've tried it a couple of times with the one in Pro League, you also had one in Chengdu.
And it gives us a little bit of experience with it.
I think if you finish your game late last evening and you come back,
you try and manage your emotions, debrief the game, and get a grasp on what happened,
and have some takeaways, you don't need to also prepare for a game today.
And we hear quite early. It's not that easy.
It's not that easy. I think the quality of the game sometimes goes a little bit done,
especially for the team that plays the later one, but there'll be no excuses.
Also, for us, it's an important game. We want to show that we're a better team than Spirit,
and it would be a good feeling to leave a Sunday where they win.
Yeah. Well, is there anything you want to say, Cyclone?
You know the fans will be out there, the fans at home, the fans in the audience, all of them.
Thank you to everyone who's cheering. I know we are still one of the fairies, but we're working to get there.
Thank you very much, Cyclone.
Thank you.
Intel Extreme Masters 2026 here in the fabulous city of Krakow.
We are on the cusp of a super Sunday.
That's right, a super Sunday.
In a few hours time, we have got a grand final.
Where that podium is will be a trophy.
One of two teams, Fury and Vitality, will be lifting it.
Before we get there, a wonderful moves, Booge.
A third, fourth place playoff.
Now, let's be completely frank about this.
The two teams taking them on, they are disappointed.
This is not what either team wanted
to be playing for here in Krakow, in the Tower on Arena.
But the Marko are a great team.
He's been able to go again when you are disappointed.
So let's bring out the first of those teams right now.
Right here is Team Spirits.
I
We've said before beware the dog, a player, arguably the best in the world will be off
the leash for the next match.
And taking them on, a team that aspires to greatness, today is big for them as well,
please welcome.
It's Team Mouse!
From the game, under the bright lights of an arena, your third-fourth-plague playoff is now in spirit versus mouse.
Let's get it on.
I'm always excited when I see Team Spirit in the slava and today no exception, gonna
be excited to see Donk do what Donk does best.
It's always a delight.
This is one of the greatest players to ever touch Counter-Strike, been in terms of the
couple of years that this kid has been on our screen.
He's not alone as they go into battle today.
And Spirit, it's a young roster, sure.
Four of the five.
Just doing a major trophy.
I am a winter trophy.
This is a new complexion.
I've heard from coach of Maus talking about them.
It takes some time to sort out the new roles.
Opportunity for Magics to take to the in-game leadership
and a lower pressure match up against Maus
who do their best work exactly that.
This team just can't get past Vitality, but right now it's not them on the other side of the server.
It's a name that has toppled them in the last four outings.
If they can have some fun and start to enjoy themselves in this type of environment,
they can bring the game into something a little bit more muddy.
It's got some explosives, CS, you still got up against Spirit.
You can still make a name for yourself, I'm probably the man on the screen right there yesterday.
He was the only one making an impact in that embarrassment.
Nobody wants to be playing for third-fourth.
But this matters an awful lot down the stretch.
We are just starting off 20-26,
and there's a whole lot more countershot to be played.
These are two of the top dogs, two of the top contenders.
And when you look at the names that didn't show up yesterday,
it's going to be an opportunity for Maus
to kind of dust themselves off, prove to themselves
about perhaps is the exception to the role.
You heard from Cycro, coach of Maus.
He said
that it's not easy to wake up
coming into Sunday
and not competing for that trophy.
It's becoming a little too familiar feeling
for Maus.
And for Team Spirit, the very say, you know, their eyes are set on silverware.
But this is just for the Constellation prize, this is just for a little something-something
before you get on that plate and try and do it all over again.
Betos come through, Spirit on Dust 2 and I'm sure you all remember how Dust 2 fell for
Miles.
Humiliated on the big stage, just run at it.
Vitality just playing with their food, batting Miles around the server like a cat with a
So let's get this one started, crap cop, let all the moose boosts as O.J. Boots put it.
Map 1 does to Spirit's pick!
Spirit played this five times in 2026 with this roster, undefeated so far.
So they can keep that record.
The bookmakers favourites right now is Shiro Booster with a P250.
This one could get a little bit more scrimmy.
I'd love to see that for these teams lock and horns in a sloppier fashion.
Just a little spot out, couple of bullets exchanged between Zontik and Torgie as the hinge smoke now deployed.
Time for progression's middle.
Flashing him. Ooh! Spicy star!
That's great for Torgie on the pistols.
Yeah, he tried this yesterday to no avail.
This time he hits the wristbreaker flig to remove Donk.
So they're still going to be swimming themselves far for a mid to B right now, from trumbling back in through the upper tunnels to join Zontics.
2-2 variation against the two men on B, that's Jimmy with the breaders and the smoke, perfect block utility available right now to stall this out, and thank you very much, he says.
And he's timed that well as well, the CT smoke will fade if they don't start to commit up the ramp, so they focus their attention on this fight up here.
In the window side, exertion, jiggles out, doesn't hit his bullets, Jimmy feels like he's got a lock on his way, has to turn around.
Messy, Messy, nothing from Jimmy!
T-Side broken through, access to the B site granted!
They'll give this a go on the retake.
Still more util, a smoke could be useful.
Thought she noisy through the tunnels.
Headshot needs to be provided as Shiro at range,
and Taneer even finds him with the Glock.
That's really gonna limit your options here.
Smoke will force Spinks out into the fight.
Oh sorry, Shiro, into Spinks.
There's nothing here for them.
Spirit takes pistol.
Alright, that's tidy.
Command disadvantage, you lost Donk.
If you manage, you have to be capitalising on those.
That was a fantastic opener from Torsche off a cat.
And you know, you can't keep Donk quiet for long.
We mouse going into the force for the second.
Couple of MP9s, here is that opener again, just on the fade away, Donk goes down and
respect.
Happy with how he's team pieced that together, you could just see the sandwich, even though
the blocksmote comes in, they're able to be fighting from mid to B and it bought so
much time, do you be getting shot in the back, does it take long space early, Rollin?
Lose control, but exertion and spings take lower tunnels.
One of the keys right now is going to be blocking, what is the timing and cheer or look at a
play straight through this.
This is what I'm talking about before, Scrimmy, a bit more risks taken.
This is a huge risk and I think it's ahead of the internal timer, yeah, you see that,
He was exposed, just jumping across, wasn't ready for someone to be on the fight.
He warded away by bullets and a HG grenade, now accelerating towards the ramp is Doc.
I'm flashed for problem and it's not really going to be able to stall them out, is it?
They're already across and in, so fortified in the site.
Is it a save or do they want to tussle with this?
I think it really depends on if anyone finds a little something on the way in.
Box not planted yet, there's going to be a push, Exhaustion,
accelerate through the smoke and does find to Nick.
Donk responds, Shiro covers and it's all gonna fall apart.
Maus lose everything.
Triple kill from Donk, Spirit. Second round converted.
It's been in fine form, hasn't he?
No one else like this guy on the rifles.
Doesn't matter if it's a prestige event like a Krakow.
Or something small, like just the pikes.
He's always going to find output.
The question going into today's matchup.
They have a spirit, all Maus get an awful lot of love here.
Yeah, who will be the fans more, less favorite?
More, less favorite, yeah.
I would say spirit.
For Maus, they can't seem to catch a break, no fans anyway,
as it will be the eco now.
Ready to snap over to board Short with multiple bodies.
I think it's gonna have an opportunity for a bit of a farmfest here
if he was both from the Short, but they're gonna bring the fight to them.
Right, straight past him in the smoke.
This gets weird now.
So many on his screen, Magic's handles it.
Nice from the Deagle though, Jimmy's Deagle has certainly hit a couple of nice shots around Krakow.
He nets him a Galel for the save.
Okay, he's gonna hold onto that one.
Could exertion find, gone up and over through short the save route to see what rifles are available.
We know it's just gonna be a Mach 10.
More damage looking pretty unlikely right now unless Jimmy can find something from T spawn to Donk at range.
So grouping up looking like they'll exit out of the window in the doors and they'll be having the third right now spirit
These five maps to dust to around 2026 one of them being against in a circle back at bounty the rest of them in crack
Of lots of reps. There were two close games one against you to one against Astralis both the 1613's
They'd led to Navi and they took down fury up
So this is their home turf
We do get the guns out now for Mouse, towards you with the AWP equipped.
Get in for exertion.
So full buys for both teams into round four.
No emissions in that department and plenty of B spawns for Spirit, so what's the call?
He's probably going to head over and potentially just post up for that plat line and because
he's on his own, this could be telling him a bit of a ruse.
The AWP shows you think that there's more behind it for an explosion, otherwise they're
just going to default.
He's going to see Jimmy though, he's no slower.
Look at this!
3Ts, yeah, just running up mid.
Doth wants to get himself into the fight immediately.
He's going to scrim on him today.
Look at it, just applying pressure.
I've got 1 minute 34 and you've lost Sean.
Yeah, we've seen them play throughout those matches.
He's even going through.
He really wants to feel the pressure or amplify that pressure onto Torchy.
3-5, not far off from New York, caught on a missed jump.
Hit the wall.
And Cali might have allowed them to play off the leash today.
I wouldn't be surprised, yeah.
a little bit more with feeling because they were doing a lot of slow defense in
their game yesterday yes start contrast to earlier games in the tournament where
it did feel like they were more loose seemed to work for them
still searching towards B magic's out middle on a timing to near with him
this B bombsite a lot of pressure yeah Jimmy's gonna be looking the wrong way
Hey, just as fast as Gaze gets back onto Magix in time!
Spinks down after one!
Still low!
Every round, Spirit have been able to get into this bomb site.
Two mollies, they can lock those out.
First one towards window drop, there's another one available for Teneir to pop in.
That kit on exertion, they've got YouTube for the retake.
How long can they stall this out?
I mean, they're hoping on Teneir to play alone, essentially.
Nice timing, he waited to throw his molly.
Morenate's dumb, Shiro gonna lend a hand trying to time his peak right, just gonna be working on that window line.
Time ticks. First guard round now as you want to get yourself in the saddle.
Teneir's hit the headshot though, swings one out for more, Teneir just a one man army defending this bomb.
No time for you exertion. A fake, Shiro confirms you're off and he'll see you later.
later. Thank you very much for
the spirit. Every round into a
bomb site successful just like
the pistol. They get the open on
to donkey and they're still able
to convert just a mid to be
great time in there. Magic's
and Taneer able to get so much
room short. Taneer is doing
damage to magic on this fight
on Jimmy, who has an awful
timing. The Finn does a good
job to spin around for one
considering the circumstances
you see the bullets just going
into back. So magic's causing
a bit of chaos there, but it's
all about Taneer and this is
the man who I want to see get
more reps on the stage in the
stages of last year gets the promotion to this spirit squad and well if he can find
more comfort he's really a piece to worry about as she was going to play ahead of this.
This is unlike him. Oh he's going to cost him everything. An aggressive maneuver you're
not accustomed to seeing out of shiro and he loses out the opening death to the famas.
Can they pull together another 4v5 disadvantage without any trade potential?
Huh!
Time to be another mid to P as planned.
Heavy A are Maus out the gate.
It's netted them the first shore, but again, a susceptible sight.
They're essentially calling the bluff of spirits.
Surely you're not gonna go mid to B split again.
But what if we did?
Jimmy has to defend it, and the team's on him.
Oh, gosh.
Exertion could get in position. He can blow open the CT smoke.
He's gonna need to.
That's it, breaks it, crisscross, saffle sauce, and we can declare that's clear and beat.
Will exertion be able to help in any capacity? Jimmy's done enough, gets one, there's exertion,
kicking up a fuss, pushing the smoke and finds another.
Oms loose.
Magic from the other side of that smoke, and yeah, overwhelmed, Torji will find him.
Sontics is late arrival in to be, Maus have done the hard work already.
And so finally on the board breaking through look like a vulnerability on the minimap. So credit where credit is due
Exertion with the necessary chip in Jimmy passing that test as well if he just goes down with empty hands
It's a different round. It could have been more yesterday. The mouse were unable to convert another man advantage
Yes being on to shiro. It will be able to string together a by of sorts here spirit
Don't to near and shiro get in the AKs magics and zontics will have to be supporting pieces with tech nines
plenty of nades to work with, but no all for these longer lines for Shira.
So this will make a few rounds a little bit more difficult as Torgie trying to
bring some energy. That's the team that definitely talks for Torg.
No break timing is impeccable from Torgie, can't she's magic stop mid?
Oh and Dom's taking heavy lex as he jumps up X-Box.
Okay, Spirit, you've gotten your short control, but at what cost?
You have to accelerate, the AWP hasn't rotated yet.
Yeah, it's cool!
Ooh, nearly got caught jumping up.
Exertions lucky to be alive was to put that AK to good use.
On the CT side, they're closing the gap.
Fights the fight he's looking for.
Sportive flashes from Torj.
Yee, just like that, though.
Three frags.
Instantaneous from Spirit.
Spinks on his way back in.
Should have won.
No, he doesn't.
Don't too quick on it.
Wow, another one.
When the opening kill goes their way,
they still cannot convert.
Well, the reason I say they have to start scaling is because they didn't hear any rotation through CT noisily.
You could have had toys you walking and that's why I said they need to go because that timer, they pop out, they catch exertion, you still get to kill, but it's all done with Shiro.
They'll salvage this AWP to give to Shiro in the next. Well, actually he's got it for himself, don't worry about that.
But that is another opening kill.
Another round that goes awry.
It's 5 opening kills, 4 mouths in the first 6 rounds of play. That is a stat line that
is almost as ugly as the eco losses.
Great output from Donk here on low HP as well and Shiro catches the timing as their
scaling beautiful work from him just holds down the trigger, grabs 2. Donk trying to
smoke, Sphinx trying to catch a timing, unable to do so and round over.
It's at the early doors to be smashing desks towards you, catches himself.
What we heard from this man yesterday in some key timeouts, trying to inspire the troops,
fell on deaf ears, they weren't there to play against Vitality, and losing now, this is
a competitor's game and you don't want to be losing no matter what the stakes, whether
it's a face-up puck or a third-fourth place decider.
One corner smoke long down, looks like they want to take some liberties.
Yeah, it looks like Donk and Tanira are going to try and forge far through the long side.
Contending with that corner smoke and...
Oh, he's done well as Tanira!
Tries to commit to the spray and it costs him dearly.
Bit fine from Spinks.
Keep fighting this.
Yeah, you know, there's two on the side.
Spinks. Ooh, goes down.
Important for Magics.
A great pullback. You can see the CTs
activating into upper.
Yeah, strong reaction.
To have this orb, you would like to get
into pit, so at least you can leave Shiro there.
And if you wanted to rotate back, you can.
But Shiro looks like he's going to join them.
Parking up the bedroom takes a passive line.
Sontics and Magics are aware for the possible spillover.
Wait, is Torezhi going to be holding T spawn?
He is cognizant of that potential.
We'll back away into the site.
Too strong of a weapon just to be holding up a tunnels to T spawn, it needs to be somewhere a little bit more active.
So, jaunting over to worry about the long cross.
Okay, the setup makes sense now. Jimmy and Xersion have this mid crossfire.
But by throwing the mid door smoke, they pulled the investigation.
So, Jimmy and Xersion checking that there is no way for them to be slipping for a mid to B or up short.
And now that they've identified that, they can likely understand this will be the long play.
One smoke on Shiro.
HE available on Xersion for the break. This could be key to setup towards you with a pick on a timing.
So there's the smoke, Torchy will call for that.
Break and ahead of it, his magics crosses into the sniper scope.
Torchy good for it, Shiro responds onto Jimmy, long no longer a threat.
Oh great molly.
He's in trouble, force wide, good, oh he didn't hit the shot.
Torchy was supposed to lend a hand.
Now one versus one, I was going to say sniper versus sniper but Shiro,
and let's pick up the AK peeking for Torchy.
An important find, second round on the board.
a bit tough there. With that death, the bomb spills onto the lip. So Toshi aware of the
possible peak options with the time against them. Shiro just swings into things. So trading
out on long, you have to say good work here from Spinks to get the double. That Nade perfectly
placed and then he just scoops them up as he swings on out, essentially lining up for
him there. Exertion Molly comes in under so much pressure, swings immediately on that
as well and this is it. She wrote tough fight.
Funny problems again.
Donk with the AK though.
This is like the good old simple days.
This is the man you want to be feeding the best guns possible.
That's why he has to deliver and does.
No doubt about that is it is going to be
brilliant tucked in long plan anti torji on the line.
Whatever bit of a pop play
Now seems to be reading the situation, but is there any push pull do we get anything else out of this limited utility seems unlikely?
So to me it goes first flashing in timing gonna bring the fight to them
Shades of Shanghai to me. However good for roll out of me. No, someone was there throwing flashes
It's all she peaks on it for number two anticipates the trade attempt still good from it
Don't manages to pull us back into a three on three similar game stay as last round
They want to reset this time 50 seconds decision will have to be made quite quickly magic's
dead he can call from the grave
Where you going?
We'll have to be quick if they want to be around the world 40 seconds now they have
two smokes could smoke the doors Jimmy currently playing outside the site long will be a problem
but by the time they get to the staging area of B Jimmy might have actually bunk it down
looking to do so
Yeah, it's gonna be hard for him to find output on the half health softened up for these galils and scouts. It's only
Even it's the playing field 20 seconds at that walking. It's gonna depend on the parting right now
All right, are they grouped up because it's gonna be scattered on the way in
Stress when I'm good parling in a moment like this 14 seconds Jimmy just needs to get his walk
It is one less dunk
Gotta get that bomb dumps on to exprinting in six five. They need to be planning now and it will be in in time
time.
Bloody hell, that's close.
Donk just demanded to find the insta kill and he provides.
Two within the round.
The trade was on the open and the most important one to get into the site and the game set
a 3v3.
So this is why people might, you know, you get people like, oh, of course Donk has great
stats.
He's getting drop guns.
I was like, no.
This kid is an absolute phenom.
There's nobody else like him in the modern game.
Obviously we have great players.
You get your Zywa's, your monosies, your Kiyosuke's on the up and up.
but just what don't can do on a consistent basis is an animal and as a pure rifle who
sometimes does some secondary orping on this very map.
Oh second to none.
A chance to game as far as we know it and again it's just a pleasure to watch him this
over.
I think A-Kill so far and he's even given away a couple of openings 0 and 2 in that department.
Yeah and if you ever find yourself you know doubting that just go and watch some clips
of like the death POV.
Oh right.
Rapid.
How little you see how it feels to be up against that rifling talent.
Oh, Brazil will be making some noise a little bit later. We got Furia taking on Vitality.
Should be, could be a banger.
Chengdu was, it was a three-mapper, but they were all close.
Going in Furia's favourites, the Punisher right now could just be a B-pop.
Stacking the sides, mid-control taken by Brolin.
Okay. I mean, promising. You've at least got the bodies here.
But can you get past Donk?
He swings on out, spots another in the open.
The Flash is supported from Shearer. They're not ready for the third.
No, it's actually was overlocked. He only gets the one for it and down sight loss
Apple from to near
This is what you want to see from this player again returning to the time on heroic. I honestly you you know you were watching the games with me
I was really
Excited by the talent of to near in that heroic jersey
He looked like he was one of those players that could just get a lot with a little you know compromise weaponry compromise scenario
He seemed to have like a very strong head on his shoulders
Considering he wasn't even meant to be in that heroic team, it was Nilo.
Right, right.
Nilo was on the bench for whatever reason.
Taneer takes the spine, he runs for the opportunity as he will be going over in AK,
but it is going to be the round, 7-2.
He may not even get away with his AK, Magix is very close by.
Oh, come on in the water's warm.
Thank you.
Ah, the orb now is susceptible.
Oh, and Magix would like to have a go. Fair play.
You definitely can see that the leash is less tight today.
Yeah, take some risks, take some chances.
That's one of the keys for me, if I'm Halley, right, to understand you don't want to be in
this position with the team. You'd rather be vying for that trophy in the final coming
up next, but if it's needed to get more experience in this environment, right, you're taking
civil linings. We're taking whatever we can from an opportunity like this. And to keep
your foot on the throat of Maus in those head to heads, that's massive. A second tactical
timeout call from Sikron. That was a partial behind the saved guns, so they will be get
full investment at one more time and can they salvage this we have this conversation
in two straight maps for miles versus vitality and it's funny how helpless they made G2 look
especially on that second map which was Dust2 overpass and overtime affair and before that
I thought it was going to be a galvanizing win against the Falcons in the group stage
I think Don's quicker
That's true, I know nothing about Formula One and I won't pretend to.
Oh!
He doesn't get away with it though, Shiro quick to punish Torgie's pick.
He has taken Donk out of the running though, and speaking of running, Taneir is just absolutely
sprinting down middle.
Now hits his walkie to try and punish a timing through middle.
is quick look at the time on the clock as they're already probing for that fight on the mid to be and he's
been spotted. Rona gets that in but the head-to-head jaw the sweep prevails. Jimmy flurries out the
block smoke on towards Tons anticipating reaction towards his site he has got very little back up
and here they come. Jimmy, Jimmy controlling his spray but Shiro trades now the bomb is into the
B site Zontics however hoping to be overlooked Strafe's thrown out into the flame backstab comes in from
Oh, he loses it.
A chiro in the clutch.
OK, these are the rounds he's set to succeed in.
I've heard about appetinals.
Backing away to them.
Confident in taking these fights on that window exit.
That smoke limped in.
Will limit some of his angles.
He just has to turn that first peak.
Has to be perfect.
They're going to try and partner up.
Limit that potential.
He just has to hit this one shot one for it through the smoke misses his chance. They're holding it great covering fire
Lovely team play from mouse just in time a third round delivered and close right there smoke really takes the whole dynamic
Yeah, just causes too many issues right the fact they can slip out be towards car
Means you can be run down at a closer angle and then also the sight line being the bigger of the issues
Two rounds left money again in jeopardy bit of typing between don't contours. You don't know what they said maybe ups
Oh, Donk said worth it. Okay, so the report in there for the obsteam
Try as lucky end of this early doors fight, but no one's gonna be top mid this time a little late
10-9 explosion off the flashes magics trying to take some space but exertions already in the pit. Oh
Maybe
Hello quick reactions from exertion
Not a bullet of the mag.
That was scrappy, but still, too manned advantage.
This one should be good for the fourth and then the money will be absolutely in the bin
for Spirit for the final of the half.
Recovery of sorts.
a
dog's gonna have a go testing
Jimmy's bombsite, nice catch on the cross, spanks brought down if you could just find this one, Jimmy, you need
Famas prevails, big one from Jim Papp
It's not just the rotation again, but this is so tough. What is Shiro meant to do?
Honestly, I mean, that has completely changed it. Jimmy winning Donk.
Otherwise, that beast side would have got really awkward really fast.
Oh, problem. I may have won the round with this one. Does he contain?
Looks like he's going to overstep the mark. So, Shiro could punish this, not noted.
And he has spotted towards Loa yet. No, Tontik saw him.
Ooh, Shiro catching flak. Couple of bullets that connect onto him.
The spam onto Tontik as well has them hanging on.
This will force them into B. Jimmy Smoke has faded now.
Maybe they just saved. It's not the best for Zontics, but it would be great for Shiro as...
Yeah, you've got a better shot next round, haven't you?
You highlighted just how little they're going to have to work with without this.
Yeah, that's only going to be the 1900 for the final round of play.
So having the opposite, at least something to work with.
Otherwise, it is just going to be limited down to the Eagles and the Tech Nines.
So first time now is able to post consecutive rounds in this third place decider.
Can they make it three straight before the break?
Counter-terrorists win.
Feels like exertion has been on the right side of the map.
Taking fights on long as they go long.
Being there as the third man on B as they hit B.
So, positive signs for his read of the game.
And I like to see Torres just taking some chances as well with the AWP.
From set the tone with some fights.
And again, Don has given away a couple of openings.
One and three in that department now as it will be a timeout from Halley.
Those finances are very, very limited.
two tech nines to complement the saves or and the mp7 of course don't goes into
the deal the biggest issue is gonna be the util we're just talking three smokes
two flashes and a molly for this one and then you need to look at shiro spawn
it does have a decent one over the wards long but would they prefer to go toe to
toe with toys you middle who has been taking these fights as just highlighted
Yeah, this was one of the most important tools.
An imperfect player from Donk and with that shot from Shiro onto Spinks it would have
left the B side open.
The boost of the AWP up.
Can Shiro catch anything on the cross?
Now.
So you take your chance.
I think spawn base, maybe it's back to this long bomb.
Right on the jiggle, we'll catch a whiff early.
Then he can block and even call back that of Toji or...
Oh, okay, there you go. Now we'll block.
At least that pressure came in.
Just under a minute, 30 left on the clock.
And still uncertain as to where the CT sniper is positioned.
his possession towards the.
Was car side.
And they're holding onto a lot of nades our mouse.
They've practically got all their full belts.
Now we see a couple of dumb to keep this blocking going.
They've just thrown one out for middoors themselves.
So doing that from a try and support those B defenders.
Make sure that the mid to B is not an eventuality,
at least not yet as they try and soften up towards short.
And that's exactly where spirit of congregating now.
which is that lurk piece of Zontik's long.
Yeah, Maus are playing this well.
Had a good understanding about what Spirit's options would have been.
I think in rotation just yet, 30 seconds, the go will have to come in.
Magix is going to try and pause some movement.
He tries to imply a mid to B, hoping that pause attention, it has got exertion on the move on the reload.
on the reload, now they accelerate that position.
Now Bollin has to do what he couldn't, so beautifully.
Quick double snappy aim from the sweep.
Torchy booked by Zontik, a little burst to the face,
but 10 seconds, where is that bomb?
It's loose, and they need kills.
They're not going to find all the ones necessary.
No time.
Oh, a horrible end to the round for Spirit.
They won't be satisfied.
Mausaldo, a little smile, creeps onto their faces
as they find hope on Dust2.
to the end of extreme masters crack off 2026 is the third place to side up as the crowd
starts to fill in. We have Donk on the stage. This is Dust2. This is Scrooge's map choice
and they are hoping to keep that sheet spotless as far as the wind column is concerned. They're
up against Maus. We're going to bounce back mentally from yesterday's 10th loss to vitality
in 12 months worth of play.
I mean, team spirit haven't been easy for Maus to beat either.
That's a lot of info up mid early. Still two players towards B. Shiro perfectly positions
on takes with the oversight and here they come thanks for coming thanks for
playing both pistols that's to near adds another one to the tally that too easy
for shiro couldn't have been better in terms of the complexion of that pistol
they had info that it wasn't long they were ready to lock down be and it's great
to see some smiles on the faces in this lower pressure match more reps for this
team. Well, we compare the
with their five man roster
that came together this time
last year. 196 maps played for
the new spirit. Nearly 17.
You go now is.
See how active Donk wants to
get. Yeah, I was just thinking
the same like this half. I
think we're going to see a lot
You've all played in the pug realms, a team that doesn't respect you, running up the guts
and mid, shooing you every chance they get, and yeah, that's going to be a nice start
for the R10 aircatchers' exertion. It's a likelihood of seeing anything out of these
pistols almost nil. There it is! They get to work!
I just won't be able to get there to pick up that weapon from Shiro. So that's a little
to get him an AWP, so he wanted to be
giving a rifle to work with.
Zero's sixth death in 14 rounds of play.
Well, no one for either side and no good long spawns for Mouson this one.
So if they want to continue with the default spread,
or if they want to try and offer up something a little bit more punchy
on the first rifle round.
Now seeing exertion, and it's being set over towards upper tunnels.
Jimmy outside long, a brilliant top cat tells you it is a default round.
you it is a default but maybe with a bit more pace look at that exertion quite
liberal into lower tunnels yeah he wants to get up quick and I like this
promising they're taking more risks and this is from both teams
was a load of nades left on the ramp to dump towards shore don't call talking
to goose the unknown element to near the throne aids his way well he doesn't
know it yet but they are already posting peaking and he confirms their
presence is that all they want is to force out the grenade?
Zontics's reaction freed out by Shiro's positioning on B.
A bit of a joke is set up here right, Don traditionally playing over towards B alongside
of Zontics but he's good from the start of the round.
Right. Shiro the AWPer without the AWP playing B.
Oh man, Jax is going to get caught just as he starts to move forward, gets the info ahead of it.
Shadows still though, lovely peek from Jimmy.
Kicking yourself there with your magics.
Now gets with it to near, needs that burst to the face.
Does catch one on the short side, but backs up into long.
Good find again, double kill from Jimmy.
Upon entry, force-wide is Donk.
The Joker gets nothing done.
Oh, he's fine as well from Spiggs.
Doesn't even go down to the spray of Shiro.
So a convincing one.
They are battered and bruised, but four alive.
alive. Mal has managed to post an early go around. Did he get to use all those
nades on the ramp the way that they were hoping for? So the block util comes in
and it's a beautiful clear. Magic sure he's only got that mp7. He's playing for
space as well but as soon as he goes down that set up is in a box. You've lost
short, you've lost long, you have no way out other than to fight forward. So his
reaction to the shadow? It's tough because he's in transition so he knows that
the fight is coming to some extent and they're also trying to shadow bait. They
know exactly where their shadow is spotted. Oh, Shirou has found a scout kill. Okay, that
was onto exertion and suicide. So that one's coming early, especially now that their buy
is not great. It's a scout with three and fours and an MP7. That's a big way to start
this round. We'll catch it in the replay. It's on the jump spot. It just hits it twice.
You love to see it exertion kicking himself with that one
And for miles it's gonna be interesting to see if he can overcome the disadvantage more wolf pack mentality
Yeah, he's partnered up
Tenere is gonna have a rude shock and jiggle brilliant from brawler
Scrambled into the fire. Hello magic precision but punished now. Just a scout. She has to hit the head and he will
Well, that's supposed to be a hard shot to hit.
Shira makes a nice move.
He's a big flat, cannot look, getting Jimmy just turns to look the other way, now bomb
retrieval for Brolan.
A one versus three, they're partnered up spamming Smokes.
Very uncomfortable, four mouses captain here.
That Smokes won't last longer, you're replenished.
Shira's cut him off at the pass.
Yeah, he's a good striker on the long side.
and attempted to play around this smoke.
Xontis is acting like a solo venture,
and there's the Shiro Spank from the right.
Great round from Shiro, 19 and seven.
It's been packed on the pier still, opening and kill.
That second one was a thing of beauty.
Doesn't matter if it's an AWP, if you hit him in the head
with a scout, does it.
So great work there, as it will be the final tactical timeout
called from Maus.
Such a compromised position as well.
final time now. Cyclone, burning through him.
You can see his boys need the help.
This is before they completely run out of those funds.
So, Torgy can't get her off. There's two AKs.
Exertion and Jimmy will have to operate with something a little bit less, unless...
Brolin wants to sacrifice that AK.
There's two rounds in a row. We've seen the only kill from Albin. It's like, crouch...
...peek.
Look at that!
Yeah, that's really impressive.
And then Brolin, this was so tough.
He's hoping that they run through the smoke at a time and try to catch him, but they played that perfectly.
So she does get out of galope.
She's immune to tech 9 and my magic's still on my SMG.
Pack roll again, so this is definitely a different flavour from ours.
Yeah, no one's spotting middle from Cteam Spirit, so you get the whole squad or rather
four of the five already, I'm sure.
Okay.
First of the block, Utile Throne, to near equip with more.
Yeah, he's throwing that out very early, and this time with no jiggle, so needs to continue to block, and they might just run through this.
They're gonna be tempted to. Yeah, it's quick.
Yeah, okay, Teneir flashed off, gonna throw out, well placed, hey, G-shearer to lend a hand with the flash bang,
because he peeked on out, there's a whole spot behind that smoke, and Spinks and Brawland, they broke it through.
Looking to evacuate Spinks, this late piece through mid, it's just done so much work,
and now they can pivot to the wide open B bombsite, Spinks catches your reaction, reacting to the short play,
And your B duo just get made into mincemeat.
That's when a lurk being active is such a difference maker, right?
Him being confident in this lower pressure match to take that fight as opposed to in a game where it matters.
And then you look like a beta. There you're a round winner.
Big difference.
So it is just a fine balance and all the lurkers know exactly that.
If your team don't make any space elsewhere on the map, they don't draw that rotation, you can't capitalize.
You also need to put yourself in the right position like this, actively fighting through the doors, they line up, they knock them down, and the round is done in a half peak.
Great output there from Sphinx to bring it back to just a three round game, and it should become a two round game, spirited on an eco.
He's just gonna go peeking on towards the long side, avoids the majority of that need
damage and yeah, he's gone for the re-peak so it could be Punisher, she or me have heard
the scope but he wants that weapon so it's what she anticipates the Punisher, oh he
does manage to maneuver away from the fight.
I want to say this should be easy for Maus but we saw it happen yesterday.
Yeah, right.
It's not gonna happen.
I agree with you.
But then again it shouldn't have happened yesterday.
Tim with a good run out for exertion is continues to farm up, we'll make it through within the
round.
Let's get in his stats up with some Ecos.
Just magic to dunk to find and sounding off towards A, that will be a dunk.
Exertion now on for the ace, as far as the butcher plays.
Because it's an Eco.
Could be anywhere.
Exactly.
It's only 1900 coming into the next.
Donk could hook shero up with an AWP and that's where we might be able to see a bit of a difference made
Or at least the head to head against toji which we did see toji going for a lot of peaks in that first half of play
It also means that spirit can run a little bit more regular as far as their gun rounds
I want to wait for them for the highlight bro
All right, well, I'll let you know he is being sarcastic
to the right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Well, how is going to take out
another time out and only one
more remaining in regulation
as I could spend all his sure
does get that adb dropped across.
I was having to operate with a
lot of weapon again, and this
would be at his detriment a
certain point. I think there's
going to need to be a moment in
spirit where I press raise
I don't know what the call is, we know that Halley is the architect of the way that Spirit
play is just a new voice to issue those instructions within the mid-round, but I'm saying at a
certain point in the way Spirit Function Magics is going to need to prioritise rifles, right
then, it's just always tough for a player who always has an MP7 or MP9 or something
lighter, sure you're going to set up Donk all the time, but you play key roles too and
You need to be able to deliver some output and it's hard when you're undergunned.
Spinks gets himself out long on his own.
Respects the util and conceives the space and a solid need to match its face.
I love it, right? The details are right there. They're not playing for long insta.
They're doing the smoke molly combo.
Molly land, smoke comes in, he knows they're going to flash and swing off of that
because if they're to be the open, he drops a nade pre-empting that swing.
that swing. But these are the
details and counters that you
love to see because you know
what the response in most of
these scenarios are. Everybody
runs them. It's just slight
tweaks and doing a bit of a
damage like that. What type of
ramifications can I have within
this round? Certainly going to
limit magics who already feels
that way with this MP9. He's
playing long corner with an
MP. He's not even up close and
personal. It's essentially just
like a war. He is.
Full support right now is the
opposite, at least on a to near
to the right. It's a bit of a
damage off the shiro. It is a
beast split. It means Ali is
creatively called this right
because this boost is in the
mix. But it's right on into be
smoke and to put it back towards
long and now Boris gets to
barrel in close up pressure on
shiro. Really counting on the
long reaction, but this is where
magic has to be able to defend
the honor because it is just
here on the site. If the
author gets put in the box will
not be able to do his best work
his best work. Brolin working on mid-Woolhawk, Cleavis. No, he won't.
Over the flames, couldn't spot him.
One bullet.
One bullet, two targets, towards you.
He's hit another! Puts it into a winnable one!
Oh, no, it's not. They didn't get the bomb down.
All right. No one could punch in the code.
Brutal.
Shiro's done very well in that scenario.
Magic's unable to finally thaliate,
and he manages to just win out on short side,
give himself room for a second.
Time gets away, you can see on the clock,
kill comes in on Long and that's why it's how low that clock was.
A hustle. The spam through the smoke, it just causes the chaos.
It's while getting tagged on the cross.
Sontics is trying to chuckle the guns.
So Mao's limiting themselves there with the timing of the clock.
They're going to walk out mid to beat.
Yeah, this is what, there's plenty of time for this.
And Donk's got the head to head.
Wins it out. Wait, wait more, where that came from.
And oh dear, brawl and collapsing too.
Solid output.
Now short the reaction there anticipating just on the uncrushed spinks five off the burst
Down to his knees by to knit very aggressive defense here
Spirit of that enough pack it up to be 1900 for miles going into what should be the final round round number 21
12 is all but secure unless we see a miraculous jibby 1v5
I've got to change the pace after that slower roll cost them and now they're going to Magic's
up and over the AWP.
It's the kill with five standing alive that should be able to pump this one in.
The high end is about, well towards the orb, and the low end is going to be just some tech
nines.
You see what happens when Magic hasn't got an SMG?
He gets a kill.
Isn't that nice?
That's the tag at the start of the round.
and juggling the guns here giving Dong the M4, but we should have been the status quo anyway.
Yeah, it works out for him, doesn't it, beautiful. Different boost angle, just trying to tend to any
lower pushes. This has to be the final round. Now, Mr. Molly, we still have so much more,
not only the firepower of the U2 department, and also maybe the will to play.
It's all about doing the same thing over and over again.
You wonder when things will change for Maus.
Whether that's the results or the roster, one of the two.
Let's just content with being good, but not great.
You can't argue with the consistency.
These guys have the right attitude,
the work ethic, the talent.
It's that mental hurdle, they can't get past.
This is a setup back in their players,
Donk equipped with the Mi-47.
The Maltesers swaying in spray.
Brings Torgie low as well as finding the opening.
With Spinks gone, now staring at a block,
Smoke you've got 55 seconds, boys.
What's the pivot?
It's an ear hearing all of this relocation towards Lower.
They're making no secret of that.
Reposition.
Two of them wanting to probe out the doors.
Did he hit the scope?
They're hoping that leads to an overextension into the deep of Jimmy.
Cliffs to where he does and clear his corners to the hog in the door.
Important trade and no scope from Torgy.
Okay, now a missed shot from Shiro trying to track him.
Will break the smoke and doesn't quite catch the toes.
Donk and Zontik are here.
Need another one.
Torgy, bomb on his back.
He's only got 10 seconds.
It runs to his demise.
All right, map one.
Dust to Spirits, pick and convert it with ease.
They can add another one to the tally now six played in 2026 and it is six straight
It's all green and it's looking for gravy. There's one more map of Mirage up next can mouse push us to overpass
Let's find out shall we?
I'm picking mid, I'm picking mid.
Many out mid.
One more out mid, one more out mid, doors.
We have bomb, we have bomb.
One more close, I said boys.
I can't help you, I need help guys.
I can't help you, he's close.
Last one, we have bomb, we have bomb.
You have bomb in mid ramp.
I'm reloading.
Pick in door, doors.
Nice boys! Nice help!
I'm gonna smoke it after a lot of them. I'm on the right side.
I'm behind us, what are you doing?
I'm in the middle, I'm in the middle
I'm holding
I'm pressing behind
Nice
Nice, what are you doing?
I'm taking still
Long one
Long one, yeah
Time, time, time
No time, no time
No time
Oh fuck that dude.
Nice!
Nice boys.
Nice one, I looted you.
Right side.
Yeah.
I'm gonna be left side of the building, close to the city.
This is the A rotation.
One is out of windows one.
I have corner, they left long.
Close.
Right.
I have corner.
Press.
I smoke city, smoke city right down.
Bomb.
I'm gonna be left side of the building.
Left side, left side, left side, left side, alone, alone, alone.
Let's peek it, peek, peek.
I have him.
I got you.
Elbow guys, elbow, elbow, elbow, elbow.
Elbow?
I'm gonna go left side.
Elbow?
Double.
I'm holding.
One more, get a gun down!
You should try to kill him.
We can hold him.
He's on the road R at year, on average.
I think it's close to 200 maybe?
I think above, easily.
Like 40, 50 easily.
That's extreme. If you think about the amount of humans that are doing it, spending that much time away from home every year,
home every year you're in you know there's a very small group of people
that are doing that yeah oil rig workers they go like six months on six
months on it's crazy but yeah did it take some getting used to like when you
kind of first picked up that kind of calendar I think I think for me last
year I mean 2024 is a bit different but 2025 because we went to the end of
pretty much every single tournament like I mean I was so used to like it
like we go for a week, we get out on groups and go back home after a week but now it's
like to the end of every single tournament like a few days at home like this block we
have I think we had bounty a few days, this few days, clues or something and it's like
it's crazy.
It's almost time to rest when you get back home.
You rest one day, go back to the plan.
You start the tournaments, you look at the Kandyn and you finish your award at the end
of February going into March and you're like okay.
It goes fast, it goes fast.
Was that why you guys decided to skip bounty?
So you can limit a little bit travel this year compared to last?
I mean, I think yes a little bit and I also had the same thing as Messi in 2022 when it
was my first year.
We traveled so much but we went out of the groups a lot.
So we had a lot of time at home but like last year when we make playoffs every run and we
go like finals or semi-finals, like you play almost every day and it's really exhausting
and you battle at home.
And that's what happened also in the summer for us, like I think we were not home for
like 55 days, we went bootcamp two times in a row, back to back, after tournament.
So yeah, it can be rough sometimes.
And yeah, this year I think because the VRS cutoff is a little bit like it's not close
to January, you know, I think it was, I've prepared like the press bounty, maybe it's
It's not that important and also you don't play too much games, especially on LAN, because
LAN games give you a lot of points and yeah, I don't think it was just a good tournament
for the realist points and it was not too important, I would say, maybe.
From the team?
Nobody.
All my teammates are children, so I'm not picking any of them.
You play for the drinks, so.
Next to him, of mine, who's always a pretty fruity individual, let's say, Yakindar.
I think he would really spice up the time.
Maybe I would call Jim Ted.
He's just a nice guy to be with no one.
Ah, actually, I think I will go with CeCe.
I usually go with CeCe.
Where did you go with that?
Watching CETA.
Maybe Street UK, you know.
He was always a good time.
I always enjoyed going out with him
back in the good old days of Liquid in 2019.
So yeah, maybe that guy.
I think I'm calling Brola.
I hear some stories he had when he was going to party.
You know, I would call him.
I think it's going to be neat.
We pay for the drinks, so.
Ha ha ha ha.
We like OC, you know, I just saw him out in the hall.
I was talking to him.
I loved Josh, playing with him before, you know.
Warm hearted guy.
You know, I think he would cheer me up.
It's such a nice, me and two hype guys in the team.
I like his vibes, you know, he can boost me up
and he can lighten me up.
So, yeah, I would call it Dory.
He's going to cheer me up.
Ah, that has to be Texas.
Yeah.
New outfit, probably twist.
He's a very fashionable guy, a fashionable individual,
so I think I could trust him on that.
From the team, nobody.
I would call Jimmy, picking outfit.
That's gonna have to be Nico, one arms up.
New outfit, maybe take me.
I'll just call machine, he's not a player.
Seems like he knows what to do there.
Oh, maybe Jason Moses O'Toole, he cooks.
Maybe Ludwig Brolin can cook me a nice pasta
or some Swedish meatballs.
I'm gonna have to go with Sonic,
he's really good at making food.
I think he's just another of us, Capricornk.
Call Rops, get that car that he has and come help me out real quick.
Calling my mom, bring my passport please,
because all my teammates are already on the plane.
I think it's Tessus.
He would instantly jump out the chair and do his best to him.
Maybe manager.
Probably Shui, he's got that personally prank vibe
that he likes to mess with people.
I think also Spinks, he likes to joke a lot,
so he would be down to make a big prank.
I think I'm going with Sonic here.
He likes to make pranks and control people.
Again, I might have to pick Jason Moses or two.
All my teammates are children, so I'm not picking any of them.
From the team, only Lothan and Bean has a learning license.
So I picked Lothan.
Me and Danny, we go way back, so if I call him,
he knows it's because I need to get kicked up.
Mary really sends out her hair, try her license.
I can call Surtian.
That's me. 100%.
Maybe that one. He has six stickers.
I have a good history with twists so far, so I'm sure you can trust me.
If I said you're like a million dollars, I think you can trust me.
I think I hope so.
Maybe mini twists.
It was
I just stay in ladder room and I
Just look in left side
monitor and he saw for headshot and it's easy easy it's blast premium
yeah
in short there was a moment that bori says he took the house, took the house, we went with him,
killed him, I'm bori, I let the mouse down, give him a tune, and then I go to the pit and that's it,
it was just clear that voxie will go to the wall, I decided to jump and kill him, well, we did everything,
I don't know. I'm telling you that it's clear, but it was under the car.
It's easy to knock, I don't know. I just decided to jump.
Did you get a simple wave?
I don't remember.
But we lost the league.
And it's not easy at all.
Easy moment, because I have good position, but it's triple kill, it's so hard.
Good day mom, nice one.
It was my first day, it was gift from Navi.
How to say, I was trying to film it, I thought I was going to kill everything.
Keep out, he killed everyone.
I'm gonna kill you.
But the last kill is...
Mom, I saw that you were going to kill me.
I remember this.
It's a complex.
But Halzer can have mistakes, he's picking me, but he needs to not pick, he's just waiting for us, but he's dead, I don't know why.
2 vs 5, and we know info for the two last guys, one full hp and second guy low hp, don't tell me, low low low, and I don't know.
Again, he's going to the first guy, going first, and he's low HP, and I kill him, and Magus can kill the last people, easy.
Juicy, I remember this.
There is Juicy on top, I don't know, I don't know.
It's easy moment. Chopper tell me info 2 behind and I know info 1 low HP and 1 full HP.
It's not buy, it's 4th buy and I have good position for me.
But it's so lucky, but I hurt him.
It's unstoppable clash. It's semi-final.
No, it's 2-1.
Is it a group?
Yes.
It's a group.
Okay.
It's in human flesh.
Like it.
It's super.
Like it.
Hi, this is Basement Dweller's first advertisement and our second drop is up actually, if you're
seeing this it's up it's available on the ESL shop had a first go at a jacket
I've always had an interesting clothes but you know seeing behind the scenes
how the sausages made it's been a lot of fun and if you like the clothes tell me
if you hate the clothes tell me but try them before you slag them off I think
they're really comfy so yeah that's my advert I'm gonna try again I want to
record another one I know them they do not prep this map that well they don't
They're gonna have lost to themselves.
Good for Kixson. Oh, man, he's from Flanders, it's all theirs!
Another f**king drum! Never before has a team played the giant take of the point of denying a grand slam.
Come into Melbourne, it was an opportunity that we never thought the start of the season
would be given to us. We come into a chance to be able to win the Grand Slam. I think
when we won Cologne, it was like, okay, maybe we can win a couple of tournaments and get
close to it, but you never think so far down the line, okay, now we're bringing raps and
now is our chance, now is our time to be able to get things rolling and now we're here at
given the opportunity to be able to win the gold bar and play ourselves in history books.
Actually, we were not really focused about the win streak. For us, we played mostly as a bonus.
For us, it was really important to bring good mood, to bring good energy during this final.
I'm very excited to be playing with Niko again. I mean, I haven't played in a lot of teams in my career,
and the only team I played was the Nali Junior Academy and G2.
I didn't expect myself to leave G2, just some weird feeling came some day and I felt like I need some change.
I feel like when you have this feeling you just have to do something with that.
The other guys on the team had a bit of concerns how long it's going to take for Ilya to fit into the system
but I told them I think it's just going to be very natural for us to just get him on the team
and implement him with everything that we have.
One, two, three, four!
First event, we had literally no practice at all.
It's amazing to have him by my side.
Very happy to see him on the left side of me.
We could be losing 10, 2 or 11, 5,000.
And I felt like we can always come back.
And that feeling was very, very nice.
And Bro, look at him. Just look at him.
Yeah, it's easy for him.
Yeah, bro, oozing.
What is your secret?
Is it the hair?
If we can only unlock that one key ingredient, that aura.
If we find that missing piece, the trophies will start flying in.
Okay, okay.
Detecting a little bit over here.
He's faded, but he got it.
Oh yeah.
There we go.
Aren't you just a snack?
Yeah, I can deny it.
he got it look at the size of him he's a big guy for you imagine him just slowly
joking your bones are with utility and then just blowing it bro what the old
old school VP, Declal, know your history, bro.
Sorry, just got PTSD.
Hey, bro, you need to lock in.
I wasn't even the crowd favorite in my hometown.
Like, I was looking for my family
and even they were cheering for us.
We are in the mud.
How even this guy has more aura than us.
He used to literally have zero.
Yeah, so did most of these fucking dogs.
Kill.
Rape.
They've won an actual fucking tournament.
Fuck.
I'm spirit normals will be winning this tournament Intel Extreme Masters crack off 2026 the warm-up
Before we crown a grand final champion,
Vitality and Fury are playing after this one.
That looks like Spira having a good time after the victory on Dust2.
Now is outside in the cold.
Wake up cold if they want to push this one to three, overpass up next.
And that's if they can take us there.
It's going to be interesting to see if Maus can turn it around.
A couple of bad Dust2s in a row.
Maybe you can shake that off.
It's not our map, it wasn't our day, it wasn't our weekend.
But Mirage more comfortable, and that's where they've elated to take it.
How loose is that leash? How screeny does this get?
The can-mouse dig themselves out of this pit of despair.
Put up a fight and secure the free map affair.
Let's get it going, map to Mirage.
It's around on it does to go in a spirit. Can they make it three from three?
Well, the setup says yes, it does because last time they run into shiro's your barrettes.
He got three. Only that there's nobody be the response
time awfully quick to defend this site.
Magics has it's tracking their shield roll again!
No! Three kills from the Gilberts, it's in to there!
Steal the way, number four! Well that's brutal!
They're just in their heads or a mouse that readable. Ah look at...
There was no one beach at. The whole team worked well positioned for
that exact pistol. Yeah, they play for something mid or a centric and after they didn't get anything
mid or a other gates. Well, the setup stayed, didn't it? You don't have accuracy in the air.
Two of them dropping off. It's all too easy for Shirou to collect and to near.
You talked about stage reps for him. It's going to be very exciting for Team Spirit if he can get
more practice on that big stage. And this is a golden opportunity for him to get more comfortable.
Yeah, for the team in general as well, right? Magiskill gets some more reps in in game leading.
And I'm sure you can testify that when the pressure goes high, leadership, you know, the calls have to change as well.
He's a very young man, Boris. He's been on our screens for a long time.
That's because he's been in spirit since he was, what, 16 or 17?
Yeah.
Now, he's coming off the bench. The name is Zontick, so both of them can use the reps to get warmed up for the long season ahead.
And he doesn't mince words when you ask him what it was like on the bench.
He said it was the worst six months of his life so far.
Okay, wow, okay.
When I asked him in the lobby.
All right.
watching the team that you're on playing as you set her home.
Now he gets to play, now he gets to call the shots.
This is an execute with the Sphinx lurk and what we discussed on Dust2.
If you can find the impact, it's good. If not, he just looks like a bit of a baiter, so here we go.
So you got to be happy.
Ooh, I was going to say flashed off, but nice and sheer.
Oh, just that first and a second. OK, this is all too easy.
Will it be spotless in two straight rounds or can Sphinx get them something?
just to work the appetite.
Spirit press tab and realize who it is.
I don't want to give anything away for free.
If it's one of these SMGs, sure, that'll be okay.
You get a bit more cash flowing.
The bomb is down.
They don't need to do anything too crazy.
And there's 20 seconds left.
So best.
Oh, I love it.
This is great.
What we are seeing right now is fantastic.
Spinks is hoping for an overextension.
They know that this guy is not going to play the bomb
because he's just hoping to get a kill, and they've all tucked away so that he dies after time.
Oh, go on, go on.
Wait, he tried to delay the spray.
Oh, just, I think maybe even just one second.
Four spanks to go hunting for them just to die.
All right, I love the idea.
That's two straight rounds where it has been absolutely perfect for Spirited now to be back into
just some pistols this time without any armor and even less utility because this is essentially an eco for the next there's going to be four digs, a p250 and a little bit util on Brawlin so I'm still attempting to float
and the conversation which becomes a long one for Maus is when does it change or when do they change
so this is a third place match you heard from Cycline in the pregame interview they've been here a couple times before EPL as well as Chungduk
So, I know what this match is all about, giving it apex, talking about it in post-game interviews
that this team wanted changes and they're stuck with the same roster, and the world
know what he heard, lines up with some of the murmurs, now skipped bounty in pursuit
of looking for success here in Krakow, but if it's stagnant, we'll find out in just a
a couple days time. Clues around the corner for them. Spirit. They wouldn't be in attendance
and I think Halley was expecting a lot more teams to skip. That's why the VRS points a
little bit more important in this head to head for Spirit than that of Maus. But while
you look at the negatives for Bash, top mid, and Jimmy's lost a bomb. Nice response. M4's
on the floor. Yeah, you've got to get past that MP9. It ranged over the burst from Zontics
He's very competent with that MP9 as well.
Holds top mid from short with an MP9.
Of course, an armoured opponent makes it a little easier to shred, but he's done his work.
He's done his job and exertion is about to be brought down by that MP4.
Liking more of what I'm seeing in today's series, it's a 4-0 right now, but I just had some key moments.
Shiro's been great. Donk had his second worst map of the tournament so far.
Oh, really?
Yeah, sorry, but don't stand it.
We'll see if he unleashes the beast on Mirage to make this one a quick two-offer spirit
and they can be done with their day.
And his worst map of this tournament was that Overpass, right?
Yeah, it started 0-7 against G2.
You think he's sighted some issues with his hardware as well?
Oh, he's actually been spotted.
That's that.
Perfect, Nade, right on his face.
Number two puts him at 27.
Oh, it did look like they wanted to split eight.
Right now, they might have to reroute and all just head back through ramp and palace.
He's actually worried about a B push and also can't play early because if they flash peek him,
out with how brittle he is right now. He'll give up that late piece. He is going to activate
still, roll on towards the island box with the smoke in hand, and exertion with this
key U2 also has to throw it out for deep con. So sticking to the plan just on a later timing
by the looks of things. Two through ramp, jibbing through palace, and A will be the finish.
Shiro's been pulled further forward to tend to con.
Dong focused on the potential for that window boost and to near this forward position as soon as that smoke fades, he's gonna have a fight.
They heard that. They heard the impact of the bottle breaking on the Kevlar of T'near.
Finds a safe haven, brings the fight to that could be good flash, still doesn't just for one.
Spinks the necessary trade, picks up the bomb, now spotted on the ramp, a quick adjustment from Shiro.
Catches Jimmy, cap level, important double.
Prolonged an exertion of broken through the defences.
And with Zontics on the CT side,
Magic's disconnected, it looks good for the mouse round.
Oh, not while he's blind, though.
He gets one. Where's that bomb?
Spinks not planting.
Spinks focused on the fight just in time.
Just in time.
If he finds him on the wall bang, they lose the round.
Ah!
Good call. The USP finds his head through the box.
It's a tough retank, got the kit, however.
Not getting the fights he wants.
Stendiary, hoping for an overextension, and they're giving him absolutely nothing.
not even playing for the round, playing for the one.
Now he's on the board, first gun round.
There, Peer, could he not more of that?
It's an adjustment from Shiro into Jimmy to do with that late piece coming out,
but then as he repicks stairs going down to Xerxion,
who, remember how low he was, so Spinks, he's not flashed.
It's Toji who cops it, that trade is important,
and then it's Brolin and Xerxion coming through,
so that one just spanned through the smoke.
to get one in that situation,
regardless as they can buy in.
Okay.
How he gets on the mic early.
What's to make sure that they
don't have their stride broken
by losing the finances of the
back-to-back rifle rounds.
You know, just one man alive
for Maus.
Thereby is going to be
somewhat weak.
Have you been able to
7ak to give across to Donk?
So how key will that be?
will that be? Your point man in con with the weapon of his
desires and shiro back in with the AWP. Kits in the mix, full sets of nades,
nobody lacking any form of armor. That might come in handy. A few galils in the hands of
Tauchi and Jimmy. As those 30 seconds also allow Maus to set their sights in this
tougher by position. Alright, we have less U2, we don't have the firepower we'd want.
type of approach as the standard opener thrown out top mid at window in the air
the swing and the space on this down towards con yeah this is quick
reminiscent of the dust to quicker fights on the short side don't keep
that flash already concede some space we're on hoping zontics just peaks on
in to his elevated angle. He'll throw a flash first. He does consider it problem dismounted.
Oh, he's lucky to be alive. Stonics the same got sprayed down by exertion just a 16. Problem
at one point of health. Jimmy on the back, Fern. Looks like today was happy to confirm
There's actually a second man there.
So, Info's lows.
Mid and Ram spotted.
Window boost man towards hero to deal with this.
He's gonna have to back off the B bomb site.
He'll literally light on with just the low HP Azontics
to investigate Ram again and they'll find it's clear
it's gonna be three through Palace.
The shift in the defense right now
does don't get back to ticket
or does he cheat towards B?
Once the gamble call he's just gonna hold window so magics and teneir have to put up some resistance and right now
Either of them looking that's a problem
Just now focusing on the ramp side so trading territory
Is the sound cue? Yeah, I've done well to do this
Quick reaction magic's not expecting more Jimmy reveals his play now you're looking for teneir
He puts a bullet between your eyes just a lot
17 seconds to bombs down in palace spits responsible for that nice head shot from teneir
He's brought them down nothing for exertion here
That's the kind of output we need to see more of from T'Nir.
Magics one, he finds that knockout blow.
Exertion this time will be...
Sturdy's best to save. Zontik's close to this.
Might be able to take it away, and does OK.
Removed.
Just in time.
Big setback as a smile on the face of T'Nir.
That's a spanner in the works.
I think just, yeah, again...
It's a free stage game for a player like this.
We are seeing sufficient output and then some...
Yeah, look at this, head-shy and Gilly finds as well.
Morrid in, taps him through the gap, takes down Brolin, and this is just in time.
So after time, the name of the game there for exertion as it will be the eco now.
He's not allowed to treat himself to a Desert Eagle or a P250.
His punishment is a pure glock.
Oh, never mind. Selfless leader has changed that.
Well, this is the thing with the mouse.
You need exertion and torsion to be playing well.
Yeah. It's good when Spinks has a game,
but a lot of positions he plays are going to be late activations,
and it's more if he feels it or if he doesn't.
Whereas exertion and torsion are turned into the mix time and time and time again.
We've only seen mouse play this once this year.
That was against FaZe, and they owned them.
It was 13-5. It wasn't even close.
So you consider the teams that mouse have toppled
and how easily they made it look in some of those occasions.
And you can see how easy Vitaliy made it look yesterday.
I'm gonna be cast from the kitchen, right?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing from Magix.
Pretend to be late.
This is not gonna go wrong. Can there be a way for them to concede?
All bullets.
Now he's been losing Ecos. I haven't seen them win them.
And this looks pretty tough for Torgie. Loses out.
Running into the site. A retake.
I think he's going to be able to
get a little bit of a shot.
Rather comfortable. She wrote
that war of attrition versus
brawling in apartments. Still
ugly for the B defense. The key
there is on to staying alive, so
could work from him. He goes
down there over to pick up another
gun and get some better post
plant positions. But by staying
alive, he keeps them in that box
at the site and now it is going
to be another time out called
this time. Synchron. So we've
had that one from either coach.
and it's
Seen as an excuse in modern Counter-Strike, but it's something we've been talking about for as old as time is an in-game leader
Especially for the newer roster and for a player who's doing it for the first time
There's not going to be as much focus on the cross-air, right?
You're having to worry about the macro of the game what your players are doing, right?
How is it functioning looking at the clock what you till is left? What finish? Oh, yeah
I mean if we did though, you know the eye tracking and you looked at in-game leaders how often they're looking at the radar
it's significantly more than the cross set in comparison to any of the other muscle on the roster.
Well, this is where you hope that the prep, right, and this comes with a tiny amount of reps that
you get in it, because seeing different situations, it's always going to be different from practice
and you're always going to be learning and addressing something. Torre to the five already
from the school of Halley. Different roles and getting used to this. So she cops a massive team
flash on the scout at the top, but Silke post up.
Whoa, ready for this swing if Sontik's dares.
Quite a well restrained player, if Sontik's rare to seem to give up.
An opening death on the short side.
Oh, but he's coming.
Ooh, nails Torsi to the wall.
And a dink onto exertion.
Okay.
Geez.
until your pack players essentially removed already.
He's lucky to be alive.
That second day he had his name on it.
She just gets away from the shrapnel
with one point of health left.
A lack of frags for Maus in these first six rounds of play.
And so it continues into seven, as looking likely.
Eight kills.
That's all they have to their names so far.
And a lot of these have been late finishes.
These are Peter Outs by the looks of things is
The AWP of Shiro posted on a deep line over towards B and they are heading this way
Shiro being in the right place at the right time, it's a recurring theme
We've seen it in both of those CT pistols and now here with the AWP prime ready
But unable to connect it's a big fine from spinks zontics last seen short does compose himself for a nice tap to the head Jimmy trades
Finds that revenge quit from donk on the swing through it's problem with an important one back
Now he's holding for the exit market waiting his magics foot to near to try and apply some pressure from the short side
Jimmy on site
Harding in their blind spot is to near he's pipped the gap it yeah, this is really nice
Well, and Jimmy working out in time.
Oh, and he catch you looking the wrong way.
All onto Jimmy's shoulders now to one versus two.
He's got one point of health, and he's gone down.
Calm. The spirit collects six.
Well, they dug themselves out of that there. Some good trade work she wrote, did miss,
and they're able to get the site, get the bomb down.
That's it. Poised 2v2 retake at that side, and very well done from Taneer,
to add frags to the tally, 10-1 now is another one.
So lost bonuses in play, bomb does go down,
it does facilitate another buy, but there'll be no tools you ought this time.
So I'm trying to mix up the pace.
Yeah, good read of the game from Taneo, understanding the likely setup with Mark,
it already occupied, you're going to have someone trying to tend to that,
the other player on site, how active is he, if he's bench, I'll see him.
If he's not, I've got one for free.
I mentioned this yesterday. You can't get better at something without doing it, right?
And I think these reps are more important for one team than the other, but
people may be not thinking this as the most value overall, but
a game like this, once you're in the server and you're locked in as a competitor, you want to win.
And third, does sound an awful lot better than fourth.
Bit more prize money, VRS points and more reps.
For a roster, having to pick out where spirit successes have left off once upon a time,
kind of it's a champion's 2024, major champions 2024.
And the team that housed Donk,
you want to get those results sooner rather than later. B-pop.
Magic's got no vision.
Sontik's loses as well. Well-connected.
Flashbangs as the whole squad is now arriving onto B.
He's got his body made out.
Sontik's good for the first.
No trade available.
Quick one out into the site.
Spinks does hit their heads.
Hits two in quick succession before he...
Brought down by Sontex!
Stunning sequence!
Move it to again.
Okay, mouse.
You've got to win one of these.
Doc's ahead of their expectation.
He's already out the door.
T'Near gonna spam away.
Oh, it's too easy for Doc!
That one-two punch!
T'Near spams to mask the steps.
Doc advances perfectly.
Synchronized with the plant attempt.
I think they knew exactly where
Zontics was. They heard him running on the pop.
So as they're pushing through apps,
they hear his steps, they know that he's hurt
and in fact he gets so much output here.
This is the thing of beauty. This guy brought back
to give the team some consistency.
Remember he's been out of the server for some time too.
Yeah, really.
Better with time. And then Don,
he's already out the door.
But that wide open actually gets delivered
a little bit of output. 8-3 as it is now
a 7-1 game. Back down
to a partial four mouths.
What's the timer on this? They look like they're already to go out, Palace.
But be fake.
Open up a gap.
Two players CT set up.
Yeah, staring at the smoke is sheer.
an easy one there to start to near to the right place. Donkeys two.
That's a weak fact.
Got to try something, I guess.
I think they'd be skittish because you have been able to get into these B bombsite.
So that does make sense in terms of what you're seeing.
Aren't we've been in with pistols?
Yeah, it's logically driven, but it just didn't work at all.
Spirit were not buying what you were selling.
Distinct lack of opening kills for mouse, just one so far.
And they came on an eco from
exertion.
Some space you go down and this will be quick.
A little warm up for the crowd before we get underway with the best of five final vitality
taken on Furia coming up next.
cheap kidney or expensive tickets.
That's right, you got two of them.
That guy's back, right?
Yeah, I think so.
Cheryl freed up to go where?
wherever he wants.
This one takes from the window position, provides that connector smoke for Doc to work around.
We'll see Spings this time.
Could we boost it up into the window?
Magic's coming over, he could address this.
address it he's shout magic hasn't been involved in too many jewels so this is
gonna be an opportunity for him that he will not go to waste have an open up
that goes to Team Spirit and no response from Maus a swing from way back seems a
little audacious and yep quick back two kills in quick succession parting in
towards that east side you've got Jimmy late palace and that's what don'ts
waiting for. Tamali perfectly reads Donk's position a little under the flame but an opportunity
for the double wrap setup is just hit some headshots and they'll do just that. Okay,
deep between the two of them now just Torji, a head to head with Tanira that he nails the
next one. A clutch that could perhaps ignite a little fire for Maus. Torji three kills deep,
a head to head versus rival Sniper. How's Shiro going to approach this? Has the angle with
with the elevation, considering his options now.
He's spotted out on the stairs, both of them missing there first.
Trying to bait Torji with that flash and reposition.
Another one, he has to reload.
Shirou can now try and use that window of opportunity to run at him.
AKV or jumping up and over, just owns him.
Denies Torji.
A little bit of a confidence booster available for him, but not even that.
Miles left with nothing but heavy heads.
Inbiked about days here in the Touran Arena.
That's time for you to look at the scores of these last two best of threes.
13-6 and 13-7 losses against Vitality.
Map number 1, 13-8.
And this one running away from them fast.
Met resistance in the group stage to Aurora in fine form with SoulFlight.
Stage asking a bit too much for them.
But, Maus, having to go up against Vitality yesterday for the twelfth time in 12 months of play,
it's a real problem.
Yeah, Maus are kind of like counter-strike's good luck, Chuck.
After you get past them, you're gonna find your trophy.
It is tough to watch.
and an opener. Maybe something from Exertion's forward position. You can see they are going
to go for more aggressive solo plays and oh, it hasn't worked out for them. Pack it up boys.
This is a beating. So little to celebrate. So little to say. Feels like a certainty.
These hats though.
Bring back Dennis and Spitty.
Look out of the award show.
Yeah.
Next.
Keep feet.
Another open up.
Another opened up, martin tracks!
Mouse players names and that awakens the fire within them.
Stiko, Christian, I've worked it out, now go back to mouse sports, it's the name, that's
what's cost them.
Old logo, old name.
New mouse.
It's a working theory.
Could be better than any they're currently running with.
Can they settle into this 43 advantage?
The two trades after the Shiro opener, great.
Zontics searching.
Magics in support.
Blow the line of sight right now, Brolin.
It's cheeky with this.
Man, he's away.
Okay, I mean, it does seem like this could go wrong.
Oh, Brolin.
They're going to go for a double fling.
I think only one. Okay, we played both.
Makes sense, makes sense.
Timing again.
Oh, he's seen him!
Perfect!
Alright, now into A, they waltz.
No smokes, no mollies, and Xontix on the flank.
Yeah, he could do something with this, couldn't he?
Especially if they kind of drag their heels, convert.
Why are we not planting?
25 seconds, they're so worried to hear that A-ank is still alive,
they think he's around somewhere.
He's gonna get him off the bomb!
Oh, he let it go down!
He lets him block!
We'll engage now, aware of where one of the two are.
I can't quite understand why you do that.
He wants to go for the diffuse perhaps?
He's got the smoke down on it, got the kit, but still can't find any of the remaining three.
His back turned to that palace position, spings profits and seems like the second is theirs.
Yeah boys, it's the last round of the half. You gotta give this one a go today, it's too little.
It's gonna be 10 to 2 as it looks like spirit. They have given a one over to Maas. We're going to a break
This is looking like a 2-0 and they're giving out gifts
I
The
battle for that third place, a warm up before we get into the grand final crown, a champion
Here, Sunday live from the Tower Arena in Krakow, Poland.
Spirit and Maus were unable to put up the performance necessary
to be there in that grand final, best of five.
So we've got a best of three.
We've got Dust2 already under the belt of Spirit.
Maus is territory and they've got two rounds to show for it.
How you doing, Krakow?
Are you excited for that grand final?
Hell yeah!
Me too.
Spirit are making it quick for everybody.
We'll get that started right on time
Gonna be full from four in the pistol apartment now miles miles gonna get a pistol here. I can feel it in my waters
Positioned well do that third man here
Already have
Output from spings but insufficient torgy a necessary headshot
Provides onto Teneir, exertion, rotation in, Shiro loud, stampede's into the side for the headshot, provides again, not another one!
Multi-Kills on Multi-Kills, Shiro, Spirit, Saviour on these pistols!
Four kills deep, Magix to deny the A steals it away from his teammate, but Shiro the consistent quality!
He's a known quantity, just consistently carries Spirit through these pistol rounds.
Well, that kind of ends the discussion about a comeback.
Another round where they don't get an opening kill.
Shiro is 6 and 0 in opening jewels.
He just finds 3 on the entry.
In 13 rounds of play, Mazza found one opening pick.
Oh, dear.
And the final rounds of the first half felt like a gift.
It did.
They'll essentially be forced buying out the game.
The Spirit have the killer instinct to close this one, or do they want to play with their food?
There's to be fifth straight series that Spirit have been able to topple Maus.
But first with the new roster.
Well, it's going to be affirming for Spirit then, isn't it?
You've made quite significant changes.
We have to show that you can still beat Maus.
it's kind of, you know, beating mouses demonstrates that you are the cut above.
That's a fair assessment.
But you're in the conversation to be lifting trophies.
You've got to be able to put miles away.
And they have with ease.
That's another opener, and it's just three men staying alive.
I want to say for the final round of play, why not?
But otherwise, if they have another pro-performance, you wonder how that compounds, it's already
eating away at them.
And nobody wants another year of the same.
And you hate to harp on it, but that's the story.
That's the truth, that's the reality that we're living in.
that's the way it is. Could
just be this round and spirit
will demonstrate. Stronger
roster. Funny hasn't been a
long show. Has it hasn't? No,
not whatsoever. You're a
engineer for my money. Zontics
had some good moments in that
first half as well. Yeah, hard
to argue with that, but as I
mean, that's the main takeaway
is going to be that you know,
Going from strength to strength.
Looking more and more at home in this system.
My boys coming in today who are the crown gonna cheer for because neither of these got much love in their earlier match-ups.
So the fact that it's spirit over mouse again, it just continues to affirm
more of the same.
So I started ready to punish any mid-aggressions. They didn't get what they were looking for.
They've rerout now. They're looking to set up some type of an A plate.
Tenille will be staying top mid. The rest of them congregating two towards ramp. Make it three.
And the one-man Zontics through Palace flashing forward. Brawlin finds nothing. No spam. No sound cues.
50 seconds. Here comes the Nades. Alright Brawlin, you've got an awful lot of work to do if they come
pouring into the A side through this ramp. A little bit more supportive U-Tilt. It's going to work out
Now for him. Does well. Removing Magix. OK. Nows.
Repel the invaders.
Sontik's the last man arriving out of palace. Another supportive flash and a spray does
remove exertion before Spinks gets to him.
And straight into a timeout from Halley.
Shirokombai.
Magix, Duncan. Sontik's the same. It will be lighter in either weaponry or Yuto and then
Taneir down the bottom of that barrel. So he knows he's still going to be working with
something quite threatening, but why extenders longer than you have to?
An off-cycler never gets stern with the boys, we've definitely heard the
encouragement. It might be time for the stick as opposed to the carrot.
So, Magics with the sacrifice again.
This time they will go for a mid-fine exertion out the window.
This pixel joined him late from short.
Torgie Molly's the island box top mid
Yeah, clear philosophy here from ours to take fights not place
I mean you should be
fear donk
Doesn't even need to see you to find an opening kill Torgie brought down to his 15th death
That's the yeah
Third and assisting piece on this A side, the window player, the AWP.
So that's what's going to get their attention.
Brawlin and Xersion, they partner up to see if they can find a safe haven, some information.
Their rotation, not close at all.
If Magix goes round, though, he'll get the info as well.
Dong strides into the site, audible.
Magix, Cognizant, that they could be here, confirms Brawlin, even brings him down.
Dongs remove the rotation!
Now that should be that!
Thanks for watching, thanks for playing!
The Jimmy clutch.
Up against the numbers, up against the odds.
Bob does get planted and it's closed down comfortable.
Not even breaking the sweat for Spirit, that's Mouse's pick and they've got three rounds to show for it.
That's four straight maps for Maus to forget here in IM Krakow, new stadium, same problems
for Spirit, small reps and a confidence boost up in the early stages of this new complexion.
The loss to Furia yesterday, that one went three, it had some moments, it's new where
they got outclassed, but they'll be taking home the bronze, it's bust for Maus, a fourth
place and some heavy heads as
they go forward in 2026 and it
is only February. You tell
yourself New Year. Let's change
the dialogue. And now first year
in the first tournament rather
just does nothing but affirm
your worst fears for spirit on
the other hand, this is the team
that houses donk. They will be
competition. They will be a
problem for some of the bigger
names. It's just a matter of
when always in the conversation
because of the phenom. They do take care of business nice and quick and on the podium at least and Ali already started some review, but we have OJ down there with Zontics.
Thank you very much Chad. Indeed you did take care of business. We're under no illusions what this was. It wasn't what you came here to crack off for. How do you approach a match like this?
Well, you cannot win the championship anymore, so you're kind of not that interested.
But anyway, besides that, you can get a lot. It's still a short place, you can get to bigger sprints, you can get money, so it's pretty much like any other match.
You can't win the championship anymore, so you're just a little bit less interested.
What did you take from it?
As a team, you've come here, it's a two-map win, it was fairly dominant. What do you take for it going forward?
Well, it's an important experience and we need the material to capitalise on it.
We have to play a lot of officials on stage, we have to practice a lot and we have to watch demos
and this is just one of those games that we can use as an experience. It's important.
Final question. Just a psychology of it. Obviously, there is a trophy to be won here.
Do you guys watch the final? Now you're not in it, will you watch the final?
I'm not sure. I don't think so, but I don't know. It's not much to do.
And then going forward, obviously more big tournaments. What will be the work-ons?
Coming out of this, what will be the work-ons?
Well, it's not nothing special to be honest. We just have to kind of scale as a team,
because we still have an ERAGL that was changes made, and we have to progress.
That's all.
Sontics, thank you very much. We appreciate your time.
It was a dominating win here to take third place
at the Intellect Stream Masters in Krakow.
What we have next for you after this at Moosebush
is a main course of a grand final.
5pm CET.
We're going to get it on.
No chance at all!
HALA!
No big bite here, and you know you're dead.
You're broke!
What's wrong?
What's it all about?
Hi, this is Basement Dweller's first advertisement,
advertisement. And our second drop is it's up actually. If you're seeing this it's up. It's
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I'm Henry, Henry G. Greer, new general manager for Team Falcons, and today I'm going to give you a peek behind the curtain as I build a colossus on Colossus's new fantasy mode.
We're going to kick things off with a triple pickup.
Kisuke, Monosie, Miko, my boys, welcome to the team!
And I'm biased, sue me!
So... Daniel is a personal friend of mine.
Not a lad.
Seems the site has a... technical error.
Cut!
Right. You've gone over budget.
What do you mean, gone over budget?
Fantasy right the idea is you build a team within your means
Well, that's not very realistic. Is it?
Look, it's classic fantasy you can pick any player within reason
Oh, and you can build your roster the best part with colex you can win actual prizes. Yeah
That's all great, but one question this
budget thing. If I'm maxed out, how am I going to afford S attack? What? Can't build a Colossus without S attack?
It's because the way people move in pistol has your own leg. They're like jumping, yeah, and they're just doing the stupid shit.
And then all the ADP go back when they're all mates.
What I always try to focus on is CS.
I try to be my teammates when we have eye pressure.
I said, guys, don't think about anything else that what we can control.
As a player, what you can control is your communication, your mood, your behavior,
or do stuff that you can control.
Focus on that, Debra.
We don't know if I'm going to be insane today.
I don't know if I'm going to be bad today.
I don't know if I'm going to win clutches. I don't know those things.
Just play the game as it is. Think about prison. What I have to do.
Okay, I have to be a good teammate. I have to be kind with the teammate on my left,
to be kind with the teammate on my right, to cheer up, to do so stuff.
And if you really focus on those, the rest, in a way, for me, is easier.
And I'm so focused on CS that I don't have the pressure.
So before that, pure that Inferno, I was really stressed whenever I arrived in the game.
I said, let's go finish. And I actually played insane on that third map.
on that certain app. So you're just like, not focusing on like, the goals and like,
okay, I need to be insane to know, I don't need to, I can be insane today and thanks.
If I if I am, but no, thanks about what you work, like what you have to do. Okay, I have
to communicate well. I have to take initiative. I have to create movements. I have like all
the things you can control. So that's my
life in general.
In general, really. Yeah.
I just think that why people are getting like stress, because they have expectations,
expectation a big thing but if you don't expect to be good today you just say
okay I have just to play my game and let's see what happens as I gel it had me
to if I would call a bearish in practice then as I'm really focused and not
thinking about just I'm just thinking about the present I wouldn't so sometimes
bulls move at 11 you know great winning losing part of the game you have always
a loser you have 50 losing tournaments when we 16 and one we do so that's the
Yeah, okay. All right, nice. Good life of us.
Let's jump in deathmatch just a little bit and then we can wrap it up.
Please ensure your phone is muted during the session.
I already muted after a break.
Of course. Floor and policy.
This wellness checkup has been scheduled after you declined a department move to finance and fraudulence
earlier this year. Distractions acknowledged. Your records do show you've been underperforming
in your Aura disposal duties. Exceeding the Aura cap imposed by 4M must be proving stressful
for you. Your Aura levels are concerningly high for your station. Who's going to be
concerningly highly for your station.
Luckily, your colleagues' work is ensuring
that your team's aura will return to F-Zero
by the end of the cycle.
Or a disposal, successful.
No!
The board is thrilled
with your department's consistent presence.
They hope you'll be around.
For a long time.
Before we end the session, we've produced a photo of your Altis family for you to enjoy
at your workstation.
Thank you so much, Jimmy.
Oh, and Jimmy, please refrain from locking the break room door whilst inside.
It is a communal area.
I haven't been locking it.
The room is monitored 24 hours a day.
Oh, no!
Oh, my God!
Oh, Flames, the first one, but looking all magic!
Honestly, it's that short lift!
It's from Kicks, and Oh, Messi from Flames, it's all theirs!
Another fucking kill!
Never before has a team slain the guy who had taken the bonus, denied a grand slam!
Come into Melbourne, it was an opportunity that we never thought the start of the season
would be given to us. We come into a chance to be able to win the Grand Slam. I think
when we won Cologne, it was like, okay, maybe we can win a couple of tournaments and get
close to it but you never think so far down the line okay now we bring in Robs
and now is our chance now is our time to be able to get things rolling and now
we're here at Malben giving the opportunity to be able to win the
gold bar and play ourselves in the history books. Actually we were not really
focused about the win streak. For us we picked most of the bonus, for us it was
really important to bring good mood, to bring good energy during this final.
I'm very excited to be playing with Niko again. I mean I haven't played in a lot
of teams in my career and on the team I played it was Naly Junior Academy and G2.
I mean I didn't expect myself to leave G2, just some weird feeling came some day and
I felt like I need some change. I feel like when you have this feeling you just have to do something
with that. The other guys on the team had a bit of concerns how long it's gonna take for Ilya to
fit into the system but I told them I think it's just gonna be very natural for us to just get him
him on the team and implement him with everything that we have.
One, two, three, four!
First event, we had literally no practice at all,
and it's amazing to have him by my side.
I'm very happy to see him on the left side of me.
We could be losing 10, 2, or 11, 5,000 men.
And I felt like we can always come back.
And that feeling was very, very nice.
I don't think we were really focused about money cynical.
I think we were focused on ourselves.
They have no pressure.
They just play with money.
It was the first tournament for them.
We had a good discussion before the game, but all we can play, all we can be able to not be stressed during this final, because the person was really stressed.
Vitality on the precipice of an era of their own! Falcons with a single-day practice have found themselves on the stage!
That's the honeymoon end on a sourdough!
Let's go, guys. We've played a lot right now with the balls. You guys are the best in the world right now, too. Let's show them.
Show us some beautiful CS!
We'll create some capes
He's got close to personal e-box, he will need to do some bad ball-pick to win this round.
That's the headshot, farm, honestly, ditched back.
Oh, the re-peak into the wall!
There he is!
Oh, rebound!
He doesn't see any of them!
He's starting to aggress.
Oh, isolation of the duals, Apex!
Racks up two.
They're already advancing.
This is quicker than they're ready for.
I don't think that's just because you can see that this is madness!
Apex!
Make some train!
Let's get them! It's a showtime!
I'll raise my goals for sure in the next time!
So that's your motivation, you already know mine!
Ducks on Tessus!
Niko, what do you got?
Oh, nothing!
We've been through the window, shift damage on the main.
What?!
What the fuck is to do with it?!
We're gonna have to be all fine!
Tenacious as ever!
I think we can do a rektionic or something.
I think on paper it looks like a very good lead but when you play this half can you know turn around very quickly
it's only six round difference which you know can come down you know losing pistol or first gun round and then it's kind of equal already
we obviously felt very good in the moment
Let's bring more energy
One round at a time guys, we step up and do it guys
Yeah, just make sure we listen to each other, not to set the break, whenever we make a plan, whoever says it, let's go through it, always say cancel and then we make a new plan.
Good job, we've got these last rounds, let's have a good CT side and we're all good.
Hey, Rache, let's right in.
Breaking through.
Fuck me, I'm blind.
Out, out, out!
Out, out.
I'm close to Tetris, I think.
I see one, I think both.
It's okay, it's okay.
Ahhhh! Nice, Plasti!
The absence of others is messy. The steps up for Vitality are must win pistol.
Convert it!
On fire at one main, okay?
Almost lost radio.
Hook on site, give him a B!
One site here, stop.
Nice, I'm walking.
One main, one main.
One more main, come pick us up!
Nice, nice, nice!
Jesus.
You're just gonna have to give him a 10 rounds.
It's critical right now that I hold onto this.
I'm killing them
Get the question over to the number of rop'ers
They're loud on the cross, the rest is not so much
Rob's pushing ramp, D&H
Rob's gonna clear through the lobby, Magisk is gonna have a test
The pre-game was there, it's just setting the exit for a moment, rop's will profit
Here's the acceleration, they have to go
They're coming
Stop shooting
Zyra reveals him, jump scare
Kexa gets the bomb down
It's climbing
On the top of his head, Nika, good moustache
Someone would...
In game, stand set
Unsecretly
They're back, they're ready, they're ready, they're ready.
I'm down, I'm down, I'm down, guys.
I'm down, he's going, he's going.
Yeah!
I'm down, guys!
Let's go!
That's nice.
We keep going boys.
To the bay guys, let's go.
I'm by your scots.
I've been able to do the first delayed run.
Yeah, yeah.
They have shot all in, the investment, the MP9, there's a tag.
But you need a miracle because that says, he's just ripped away the opener.
It's full by probably boys there 2.4 or so just take it slow. Let's go secret okay
I could plant guys. I'm gonna try to get down. I'm gonna come with you though
Shots as he dips away removes monocene from the back
Now it was under heaven. He might be holding you boys. I have to go back down. I can try to search main as it will be great to go down
Niko is alive, Jax is alive, elevate position through the smoke, it will be about breaking reaction to the shot.
The game, the brain, the game stays the same.
I mean, for Kixxan, I knew Niko was 1v1, so I have to kill him as fast as I can.
I can. After that, I knew I had to go really fast. If Niko takes a good position, I have no chance.
Actually, I don't remember why Niko was there, but I remember Niko going ramp, running a bit,
so I knew it was easier like going dark or going towards ramp. The normal position,
when you feel comfortable, is to play above. Mostly in the final, you will play comfortable
like position and he will be of sorts. Obviously you have to mix it up like every time in the
club because you cannot always play the same thing every time. People will know that there's
so many strats so you need to always always change your mindset over that.
He's a very humble guy and he's never going to be chasing MVPs or chasing number one in the
world. He does have that ego as well. I don't think there's any player in the world that would be
happy with finishing top three. I think he wants to be that number one spot, he wants to be making
sure that every player knows that he's the number one player and I think this year he's got that
bit of ego and a bit that edge to him where he wants to prove people okay. Last year was your
chance and now now I'm coming back to take my phone as well. 2024 was a mistake, I want to give
more, I want to show more like to people also for the team like semi-final, one final, you are
stressed, like here for Grand Slam or anything, I can push myself even more. I cannot be like
I would be like for the 7, 8 past years. At some point I would be less good, so I need to find maybe new energy and new things to push myself.
To bring confidence for the teammates, like sing or stop here, like screaming, give you energy and not let you alone.
It's fine, so you always have a round. This was a side-rule round for us. Let's not think about it.
They are still frustrated and they will still probably pressure us. They have pushed the middle late.
late so let's just in my opinion peak main in here but let's do a slow slow run for us okay
squeaky looking for a duel on type flight
favorite extension one best play as he falls away his position loaded now just still focused on main
package turn there's tessess into the side of siren apex flattened tess is the double siren is going
to be tested in the monotone goes down to kick sir no he can't get home claims is empty nine
Jitsun kicks in versus Robs. No idea where Robs is coming from, knows he's the
rap player. Rap player at the end of that.
Come on, Mr. Kick.
Get on site.
14 seconds, Kicks.
He really got the audacity to go drop it.
10, 9.
Robs is just chasing.
He can surely deny the farm here.
5, 4, he hears him coming.
Hoping Robs over extends.
No!
Can't stop touch!
And he just snaps up!
That moment right there from Kingston!
That will deny team vitality a way back in!
One round away from rewriting history!
I'm coming!
Nice!
Two more, two more!
I'm down!
Get him!
Nice!
Carehead, carehead!
Check Park and take that before it lands.
One more, two, two!
They know where he is. Can they need him out? They'll try their heart.
It's for several Apex. It's it! It's it! Apex 2!
Tessus alone!
No 5-7s can jump on him. Oh my god, he gets away with it!
The door's being played with flames. It's been shot down!
No! No! No way!
He knows the rotation. Anticipate curses coming from the rampside.
Pivot's up to the topside. It's a race against the clock. Up the ladder now.
Man, for heaven's sake. He's banning. For heaven's sake.
As he comes quiet, gets the bomb in. Tessus is not looking.
3.7!
Nice try, nice try, nice try.
Top split into a mate.
Sorry, perfect position to this.
Test is back to start.
Misses up the first couple.
Trade from Nico's not in the middle.
Hang on, not just getting to the topside.
Just the one, as he's getting overrun.
Oh, he handles it!
Modest C1G!
Wait, are you team?
Nice try, nice try.
I'm trying to fight for it.
Oh, I gave 96 to Messi on the side.
Just calm down boys, it's all good.
I was playing a lot outside, like he's the one holding and Epics is the one that's taking.
It's just a good secret.
We can do more secrets.
Falcons, another opportunity with the rifles in hand.
Epics here undetected.
Yeah, this is a valuable early warning system.
A canary in the coal mine for yard.
My smattering of damage from that HG.
Now we put the cover of the bullets down range.
Apex overload. Ooh, saves it, saves it, portrayed it.
There's another one. It's Zywoo that keeps their head above water.
Flames, he's the one rotating down towards the B site.
He's just going to play the jump spot, please. Cool, yep, yep, yep, yep.
These legs, they're timing it. True, he might not be expecting Kixen so close so soon.
Rob's spotted. Worried about that flank on Ramside as well.
Doesn't exist, but he's concerned. 15 seconds of pressure on these three.
How on earth are they supposed to get that bomb down?
Not looking good now, Rob. Six, but a monosy.
Kixen falls and Vitality sees another.
Six series points now just to all the Falcons
The professor says the series could be done and you don't agree
Almost almost no
And it's I'm looking at one down one down
Oh my god
Contrast free from apex and look at this test knows what that means. He's already see so much
Oh, it's the next turn!
Raph has got two!
Just the three of them!
Tessus has ignited Falcons into what could be the last round of this grand final!
Diko's got his head in his scythe.
They're close in the gap.
Juke damage, get away.
The clock is on their side now.
Zyber clawing back in.
Can he get it again?
Can he save them again?
It's just side-arms for the most of them.
Good damage into the falls!
Kick some off your guard!
Nothing enough!
They're on the defuse.
He can't stop me.
Can't get him off it in the smoke.
No!
Oh my goodness!
I can't get to that. I can't get to that! Let's go boys!
I think people would always focus on the fails in a way and especially in moments like this in the grand final.
Miss shots, I don't think I'm the only one that is missing a deal shot but I think when it comes to me missing a deal shot
people just make it a bigger deal out of it. It just caught me off guard because he just kept running and they even knew about me that I was in the windows as well.
That's what I always said. As long as people talk about you all the time, it means you
matter to the game, you matter to the community. So for me, I kind of got used to it, you
know, and it was a frustrating moment for sure. But I still believe that you're going
to win, you know, after that round as well. It's just annoying to lose these kinds of
rounds in such a crucial moment.
It's one of the things that you just try and keep face on the next round, the next round,
and there are so many moments where you think it's lost and then all of a sudden, like say,
clutch happens or we make a team retake or something, it's really tough mentally to keep
a concentrated focus on the next round. That's when mistakes happen and the messy count strike
happens and that's why CS is a beautiful game because even when Falcon probably should have
definitely won this round, sometimes luck is on your side and sometimes things happen and the
stars align and that's what happened here. We feel like we're getting into their heads,
we feel like we're getting on top of them and I think that's the most rewarding thing in the
the nice thing about it because you kind of feel like you're breaking down the opponent as well.
takes another with him, bumps to a crest, but the damage is done.
Robson's impact reverberates on ramp, triple kill, just mad just now.
All of that, six opportunities to win one round, squandered,
and survived by vitality.
No!
If you want to go down as one of the all-time greats,
these are the types of games that you have to win.
They keep going boys!
They keep going!
It's not like it's here! Let's go!
Robbs with Navi smokes at the start, okay?
Slow ramps, yes.
Yes.
It's too big, you remember?
We will not leave for them?
Yeah, yeah.
Two lobby, two lobby.
Smoke at site.
Nice smoke really.
I'm close, hot.
Ash.
Flash him.
In hot, he's a WFG, he's hot.
He's hot.
coming from the start, not P1
I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming
we can save, we can save this
isn't radio stuck
no, P1 coming, I think they might be trued at him
I was there with the body, we can go
all good guys, what they did?
Raps with one, just about to flash go
and Leah was coming, the door broke and he went out
I did the ID, I see one of the tests
oh my god, it's on
integrated before our very eyes kicks in a monosie the stray bullet through the
box hit the tag and get them the rounds I suppose and I go in front of the main
and I pick good and we can do like speed there or something or you guys can
secrets again okay i'll jump push the door
we're gonna go head-to-head early here apex lots of opening deaths these last few
and again back turn nico instantaneous deletion of vitality's captain that's the opening kill they
need speaking of me he made something to me
he comes up trump finds out modesty testers has slipped by activate late come up and potentially
catch one. Yeah, back turns, I would down number advantage.
Testers for the superstar performance and he's got your ball!
No he doesn't! Poppins out, Mezzi overlooked, it falls to Magisk.
Closing that gap rapidly, Magisk gets so much trouble under so much scrutiny, Mezzi from the behind
gets a swing out, isolates the dual, Magisk with the adjustment, big gameplay of Magisk, when everything matters.
No!
No problem!
This round, only two kills, but they are magnificent!
They didn't have to let me in, guys.
Pepsi went also.
Yeah, but he didn't make it.
I think we could tower smoke him.
No, no, I'm blind.
I'm running.
Nice in the hole.
Let's go, guys.
Yes, can we do Navi, bot, Matou, you tech LEP, we push you, Tiread, because you're the only one who can finish him, okay?
It's fine guys, yeah, he's a good wait.
Once he tried to touch him aggression, Zywoo already posted on that exact fight, takes down his rival.
Ops, that's his Tess S, wins it out back to back in the head to head.
Niko keeps going, he's like a bomb.
Oh, oh my god, he's gonna lose the bomb.
Niko's gonna put the bomb on the floor, headshot found!
How do you pick this up? How do you play this?
Knife out, turn around, gets out. No, he doesn't!
He goes there!
Mezzie distracted, kicks the profits!
It feels like they've lost this one.
Slipping away.
Fifteen found first for Falcons.
He goes regression catching Apex and it all falls apart.
There's no way, right?
You're not clearing this. You're not ready.
No! No!
I see!
Oh, my god!
I lost it!
Oh, shit!
I-I lost you!
All the 7's time, be the last time here in Melbourne.
Zywoo streaks together to double this high pressure round, falling apart the seams.
The bomb goes down, robs it for shot.
Let's go in again!
One more requirement!
This game will not end!
No more Vitality's Watch, no more Zywoo and robs his Watch!
No!
All of you, come on, game.
All through, both of you.
I'll go first.
Go ahead, guys, again.
If he wants to fall, he's got to gas in the tank to take him that extra mile.
That's probably a well-placed time.
He's just gonna burn out.
We'll try and take one.
Get away!
He's away with it.
That was supposed to be a free frag instead.
Niko makes it costly.
He takes it.
Stop it.
Go in secret.
Dead outside.
Get a guard.
He's double-wadded.
Let's do the killing.
They're going to go on it, baby.
Flames, take some down.
Huge!
Double kill, direct to fight.
They're full-bust up.
Coming.
I'll take you all the way down there.
I'm full-bust up.
Take these bots too.
They're all bays.
They're going to have to swing eventually.
Tess is getting himself out.
Loot is his head.
Rops makes him dead. Flames up close on hug. Hold the angle.
Oh ho! He takes that shot! Crazy!
Hey man, I thought you had a hug.
Let's do the same plan.
I'm gonna take a car, Cedric.
I'm gonna get pretty smart outside.
I'm running down this side, this side now.
Two main. Two main.
And you're freaking out, and I go down.
Ready? Let's go.
Yeah, we swung up to the goal.
So undetected.
To make this play on this stage, this is crazy.
I'm down.
I'm down, René.
I'm down.
What's a breaking, Vence?
What's a breaking, God? Vint goes down, René.
He has to have this one.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
What's the... what's the...
On flashing, on flashing, on hearing.
It was me.
I'm going to press.
No one hits, no one's seen one.
I've got secret lane.
All is no spreader.
Time's going to become the issue if you take too long.
You can't flop the movement.
Well, that was well-groomed.
Whoa, get the bomb!
Vitality!
A 17th in the bag.
Perfectly, guys.
Uh...
Sick voice. Bit cold, then.
And Apex a crucial role within that round.
I still can't believe the type of plays that he's gone for.
Doing a lurk smoke.
I'm doing Spider-Man here.
I have a T-Vendor, okay?
And that just anticipates his play and sits there waiting away.
Welcome to Double Overtime.
No, no, no!
Oh, no way!
He put him away, but nice!
I'm gonna drink some beer.
I'm gonna take this.
I'm gonna take this, you take this.
I'm gonna take this.
Wally, Wally, Wally! Nice! Get 11, wanna see?
2 on 2, this is Rob since IWU, and Monosigun, and I'm not lobby-bound.
Someone left on the site, Rob's touch vent.
That's a deep point, nothing new, but we should be on site.
Not on site, dig them.
NICE!
3 steps, one single round.
Tesla's getting tricky with it. Strafe's on over.
Brings the fight. Apex ready.
Oh, can't convert.
Zywoo occupying that secret push.
Niko vs the wound.
AKB off, he tickles him out. Confirms his presence. That's info.
Now you can spread yard. You can try and get over to what's evident.
Hell, Tesla's already there.
Zywoo's pushing. What? What? What? What?
Zywoo's pushing! He does it! An unbelievable aggress!
Tesla's does continue to impress.
Another rock, another rock. The ladder rocks. What's that for?
The first attempt of the three has fallen. Two more rounds, Falcons cannot afford to lose.
I'm trying to, it was good.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Up sandwich wise.
I'll take one, I'll take one.
The Go signal will have to come.
I'm ready.
Flashing him, man.
I'll flash a different one.
What was the set to do, man?
Good for them!
That's the one holding top six.
Down goes Flames, Niko gets his. Into the top side though.
Side was missed, dischance.
Mezzy, can you hold on? He can't!
Down they go!
And it's the Falcons round!
I hit mid, but I'm 6.
Where?
I don't know.
Nice guy!
Nice to meet you.
Thank you.
I knew he was gonna find us.
Faze, he's not something like this as well.
Can you face it as well?
I don't know.
I want the triple.
Okay, then do the double right first.
Yeah, okay.
Let's go, boys.
I want to do flip side to fake B.P.
Smoke, guys.
Just leaving the smoke.
He's aggro.
Very heavy investment.
He brought these towards yard.
SS just up on the silo, trying to oversee, now cross.
What's his time we're gonna push lobby?
Just here, I'm gonna pitch, start.
As soon as lobby's called clear, you have a very good understanding
that this is everybody down secret. SS now selling out some.
Apex, jump spotted, spot's on.
We go reposition.
Two level, two level.
Coming down, smoke low, we go, smoke low.
Stuck between, come on.
Tess is spotted, Flames he knows.
Apex, here comes the Mirage of Utah.
Hold your breath, Flames gets one.
That's Magisk of Odyssey, but then Zulu holding on.
And where's the bomb? Where is the bomb?
Modesty's gonna punch it in!
Mazzy, what can you do? He's gonna run at him!
It comes down to a 1v1!
Modesty vs. Mazzy!
Orc vs. M4!
Everything to play for!
Million dollars on the line!
You know what I mean?
That's right, bro.
That's what I'm looking for.
We've got a fucking...
They're on labor!
Get in the game and counter-strike the winners of OT number three!
I've been in a lot of situations in my career where I know that players will have to bait like that to shoot and you cannot miss.
If you miss right now, you're in open field and you cannot move after.
You will just die.
And I came to the point where I could shoot and hide.
So I shot, I missed, I took Tec-9 and I killed him.
But Tec-9's shot was crazy. I don't know how I hit it.
I don't think I can really explain the emotions that we are going through when things like this happen.
It's just a huge roller coaster, like you're winning around and you're losing and then it's a clutch and it comes down to the wire, literally, you know.
And then he hits a crazy hash while running with Tech9 and then it's crazy, it's crazy, honestly, and I love it.
You have that momentum, and you go into overtime, you win these three rounds, we definitely
felt like we were going to win it, and I think we played the perfect round, we read them
and we knew exactly what was happening, and they hit headshots, we don't, and Marcy wins
a 1v1 touch against me, so we had our chance, they took it away from us, and now we just
need to reset, go into the next overtime and try to go again.
Oh good boys, let's go now.
I'm gonna go see what.
Guys, I think they're gonna do something stupid.
I'm gonna play a slow round.
They're gonna do low bid and throw it again.
Drop the smokes on the carpet.
It's time to bask in the chance.
We're straight back into play.
There's more coming.
I have a lot for you guys.
There's a fish guys.
I can still hold the radio.
There it is.
There you go.
Flash.
I can do a flip side.
Jumping up more boys.
Come on.
Missing guys.
Damage is pushing down.
I want you guys to take inside and then I'm going to backwind out.
I want the blue sequence.
I'm Molly.
I'm pressure on the sequence guys.
We cannot do anything.
It's only one there.
I smoke.
Open.
Coming out.
Not out.
I don't hear them.
Careful Matthew.
Good noise, good noise.
You in it, you in it, you in it.
I will kill maybe that point.
Oh, an opportunity presents itself.
Kixon takes the head off of Apex and now a race to flames.
He's blocked, he's blocked.
Flay swings that door open, all poised and ready to pull the trigger.
Yeah!
That was awful.
We don't need to push too deep, because each time he's retreating.
He's deployed, he's deployed.
You know, but they will chill, no matter what. They won't chill.
Melbourne, are you entertained?
Round 38.
I just getting a bit frisky gets to the vent can you get down? Yes, he can maybe audible that was loud to send
Well, maybe not I won't brazenly tries to stand out behind. Actually's already down here
We're not one right here
Come on, I'm on.
9.
You going?
I'm hurt.
I'm on the right.
Out, out there!
Out there, William.
One was down then.
No, no, I'm shooting at him.
I'm pushing.
I'm thinking out there, William.
One on the right, one on the right.
Get me out there.
I'm coming, even.
I'm out there.
I'm at front, C1.
I'm going right there.
Right, right, right.
I'm not going, I'm not going out there.
I'm C1.
I'm going, C1, right there.
We will go.
They had some more.
You ready, M2?
Whenever you want.
Hey.
What's him? What's he doing?
He's going to go through.
Oh, he's going to go through.
Hit Shot Foul. Beautiful from Tess S.
Oh!
He's fucking...
Always been a marvel to behold the mechanics of Tess S,
but now he's putting it on display in a grand final triple O.T.
Flashes up some shaky moments, and right now, a 1v1.
A great attempt at a 1v3. Rotation from Flames.
He had a near miss in the last 1v3.
He's going for the bomb.
Oh, that's scary now, that's sound cue, Tessus, the notable reload, Flames just trying to fake him out, Tessus doesn't get-
Right, but the time, the time, time, time, time, time, time, Flames's gotta hold it, he just has to spam him, just has to get him off the bomb, he can't find him, he can't find him!
NOOOOO! NOOOOO!
Tessus is gonna pick this for me, I was looking up, they're getting-
Let's try this, man.
Let's try this, man, let's try this.
Let's try this, man.
No perfect run this time.
This time, for the back and forth, but it's here for TAC.
Don't put blow.
And he's pissed.
Don't you lobby right now.
That's side-fights, okay?
Have a lobby push from video.
Guys, I want to split a little later, okay?
I think we'll try to come in with you there somehow and we'll go away.
Again with the bait, Sneaker, so good.
out of position, Flake goes down, monosink, connecting, Rops just the one, he needs to
hold on more when that came from.
Nice!
There we go guys.
Oh, you're sorry, sorry.
Back to the two side, full vitality.
Still knows AWP looks like he's off.
He just stays in main, Apex is going to capture timing.
One main.
Go!
Up again.
On the shield.
Main, main, main.
What's up again?
Main.
One main. Go!
I'm pushing!
On the sheet!
Main, main, main!
What's happening?
Main!
Main.
I'm on main, I'm on main, I'm main, I'm main.
I'm on main.
I'm on main, I'm on main.
I'm on main.
Push one, push one.
Push one!
Quick reactions.
This round's still on.
It certainly could be.
I need something out of Gibson, just like that!
Oh no, nerve-wracking now.
Apex, Mezzy.
Apex falls away.
Playing the time, pulls out the monotopy delay.
The head of the smoke already.
They're coming for you.
Wait, wait, on Milipiq!
He was...
NOOOOO!
He's down!
No, he's down!
Oh my god.
I'm so close now.
Uh, let's go clear on fire.
Let's go, I have nothing to say to this.
Guys, go, go, go down.
Take your time with the breaking of smokes.
Okay?
And I will go closer in, probably.
He makes a head of the smite looking for a fight.
And he's gonna get it!
I wanna see...
He's so lucky to be alive!
I need to go down left, guys, okay?
He can go for his Tm2.
Oh, good, let's go.
Good job to be the saviour again. We've been here once before.
And you're going to call out the hunt here by Talady.
5 HP, let's go.
Tanks on him. You need to stay alive, Magisk.
And you won't, they take it all!
I want to play full FTA, okay? I want to self-secure this one.
They're giving me a cheer here. I can drop you a cheer.
Also, bye. Let's keep it up.
Either Vitality, pick up ESL Grand Slam right here and now, or we go into quad over time.
Melbourne, this is ridiculous!
They're really going to try A again.
They're really going to try and test this side again.
Look at the wrong way! Oh, Matt, it's been caught up!
Door rocks! Demand is it! A commanding opportunity!
There's only one man that can stop them. It's not gonna happen. Surely, honestly, cannot come up 1v4.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
That's wrong. That's wrong, guys. Can't do it.
21.
Lotterrand. Lotterrand.
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go.
I want you there. Ready to pick me there?
Go ahead, Dennis.
There, right side, right side.
No!
Put through their paces.
Made to work for it.
Vitality will plunder down and up.
Make the most of their golden opportunity, a period of dominance, marked by an ESL Grand Slam.
The culmination of their efforts.
Rob's got that mindless touch.
Melbourne, your champions, the Interstream Masters, kings of Counter-Strike.
This is my charity's world now.
Oh, it's vicious. Having tears of joy. It's magical. It's absolutely magic what happened
today. The kind of rounds we lose, the kind of rounds we win, it's just nuke was insane
and I hope everyone enjoys this best of five.
We had 9-3, yes we lost the pistol round and from the pistol round it started but we had
a lot of rounds to close the game.
I'm trying to imagine what even happened at the final besides me not performing really
well on the T side, but also I think Zajowice has some crazy rounds as well that really
helped them come back into the game.
I think we just gave them away the win basically.
I think we had so many situations where we could have closed out the rounds also.
I think most of the patches went their way as well.
I think it was a very exciting game.
I was very glad to be a part of that final, because I think it was one of the coolest
finals that we have had recently, so, yeah.
It was 12 months ago that Vitality won the Intel Extreme Masters Winter Championships,
giving Apex that one piece of silverware that had eluded him, winning it back to back, well
Well that is not easy, twice in history it has been done,
Navi in 10-11 and then in 2015-16 it was done by Fnatic.
So that's twice only and the last time was a decade ago.
It was 2016 when Luminosti lost in that final
and hey, guess who is back?
Yes, Professor and his Brazilians, well,
mostly Brazilians are back to try and lay their hands
on the title that has eluded him.
Yes, he's won two majors but he's never won this.
we are going to turn back the clock here in Krakow
and we are excited about it.
It is Vitality versus Furia.
It is Apex versus our man Fallen.
It's cold out here, but it's going to get warm in there.
Hello, Rob.
Hi.
How are you feeling today?
Great.
How many of these is it that you've done?
I guess tons, but specifically,
Do you remember all the Cattles and Krakows that you had all that trepidation before going on stage?
Cattles of course, they're very specific, you know, there's only a few of them, so of course I remember all them.
And tell me a little bit about the rubs that has changed because you walked this hallway, well the other hallway technically.
With Vitaly last year there was so much promise, there was trepidation about how you were going to do and then you ended up winning everything the whole year.
How different are you stepping into this final?
Not much different from last year. I think obviously last year was a bit the first year
tournament we should have won and we didn't know what's going to happen but now we're
already in hindsight and we can see what's how we did so it's easier to of course approach
this one and be more confident. I think we were already very confident from last year
but yeah I think the extra experience, the wins we had last year just adding more and
more confidence to the team. I think everyone believes in this lineup and everyone believes
win every single trophy so that's what we're taking to the tournament and the confidence to the match.
What do you think about your opponent in Furia and many maybe had expected Spirit to be across from
you in this final? Oh yeah I think it was a 50-50 toss up for sure. For us it's we want to venture
Chengdu I think that's the main thing nothing nothing else much they are a good team they've
shown really good form recently and at the end of 2025 so it's yeah I just have to you know
see what went wrong in Chengdu, do something better and come in flying because I think last
time we made some mistakes we were maybe a bit frustrated and yeah we just want to do better
on that and see how it goes. See if the revenge comes true and finally I was walking the halls
yesterday and I met these two very very excited Estonians who said they are here especially
for you and that they've been following you for such a long time. I don't know if they're going
to see this but do you want to thank them? Yeah of course I've heard actually there's many many
fans from my own country here so thank you everyone for coming and you know I I hope to
lift the trophy and do it for everyone here so thank you for coming. Awesome good luck.
Yeah this grand final starting here sooner rather than later Fury of the Vitality best of five the
date is the 8th of February 2026 and going right into the server right into it today it's Maladoy
Okay, Maladoy, what do you like to go by?
You can choose.
Okay, Maladoy it is.
Let's talk a little bit about today, man.
First of all, what's on your music playlist?
I will show.
This is Russian music.
And that's usually how you get pumped up?
No, sometimes I hear
English music and sometimes
maybe Brazil.
But I like Kazakh music.
Okay, so you had
had the early semifinal yesterday but let's talk about something more important. Clash Royale,
how is Clash Royale going for you bud? I have 12k, if people know what is Clash Royale
they know what is 12k. Yeah, I have 12k in Clash Royale and maybe later I'll give Counter
Strike and go Clash Royale professionally. Fair enough, so you have the super high elo
over there, you're running the show in Clash Royale. Counter Strike if you go to face it
I think it's 4K UR and I have this all.
Sorry man, I was unfamiliar with your game, I was unfamiliar with the game.
You got less than 12 hours until this day is over and even less time to win that trophy out there.
So tell the fans at home, tell us all, how can we be more like Maladoy?
Oh, I don't know, you know, maybe my first good thing about me, maybe I have a good confident
to play against, I don't care about against who we play, and I think I give this confident
to my team, and I think this helps a lot.
Thank you very much for your time, good luck.
Thank you.
you. You can't spell Grand
Final Sunday without coleg's
fantasy. Is that right? Hugo?
That's a genuine question. Is
that right? I don't think I
don't think it checks out, but
we'll try. So Hugo. We've been
building our fantasy teams over
the last couple of days here for
the playoffs, and we figured
now would be a good time to
check in with them ahead of the
their official name. It's a hell of a combination. I had don't I had flames. I had Molodoy,
Zywoo, Mezzi, British beef to round it off. And we're getting wrecked right now. Unbelievable.
How are you losing two projects is going down. It's not looking good. How are you losing to a
team of donk flames? You kind of to near and now I think I need to cut mezi and get one more
superstar. I think that might be behind. I have 125 points right now. How many you got 142.
How is this happening? You have more players in the finals. I think you're going to be okay there.
I farmed off of the Teneir third place. At least it's good for something here for Teneir,
but yeah, I'm still looking for maybe just maybe I can clinch through the win today.
And you know, ahead of the finals, Hugo, how are you feeling? I'm feeling fantastic, Harry. We've
got a banger. We've got potentially five mapper, right? Vitality defending champs,
Furia 3 owed them last year but Vitality are looking even better coming into 2026. So full
expectation that we get multiple maps, more than three at least. Yeah, all right then. So look,
if you want to join in, if you want to play Fantasy along with us at home, you can head on over
to Colex.gg. Join in, they've got Fantasy, some awesome stuff, giveaways, prizes, you name it,
it's all there. And the iconic steps that came with us from Katowice to Krakow in this fantastic
events it has been and I'm here with JL to talk about the grand final and first can I get a
temperature check what do you think of the two teams in the grand final furia and vitality?
Oh my god I mean it's probably the number one exciting matchup I could have in this tournament
furia number two in the world vitality number one and I feel like the furia is the opponent of
China's vitality in this matchup. I'm also really happy we got this iteration of final I have to say
what do you think about the fact that furia coming out of last year and already had a couple of
The trophy said we're still going to change things, we're still going to change up roles,
right?
I think that's a very brief thing to do, but it seems like it's paying off.
Oh yes, of course.
I mean, you can only improve by changing stuff.
You cannot go on the same path and expect different results.
You have to change something up.
Yeah, but it's impressive that they did.
Now for Vitality, they didn't have to change that much.
They came in swinging once again.
Oh yes, of course.
I mean, they are the favorites to win the tournament.
They are the favorites to win this matchup, but they've been on the top for so long.
My heart just wants to go and cheer for Furia at this time.
I get that, right?
A bit of cheering for the underdog.
Who is then your favorite coming into this one, right?
It still has to be Vitality, but are there things in Furia's play, in Furia's development
that you would say actually for a real chance they could be put above Vitality?
I agree.
Vitality are the clear favorites here, but I mean, what Furia have going for them is
the thriving chaos.
They have been very chaotic in these games and also disciplined at the same time.
So what makes me feel about Furia is that they want that chaos because they know they
thrive in it and I feel like that's their best chance to be the Vitality.
Seems like it, Vitality of course, not too shabby when it comes to chaos and 1v3s and
clutch situations.
Do you feel like they're still starting to play to a higher level than we have seen from
them?
Is that possible in 2026?
Yeah, it is definitely possible because now it's previous year, you could look at the
names and be like, okay, they have stars, they have Zywu, ropes.
But now, going into 2026, you have Flame Z, one of the best openers of the year.
You have Messi, the closer of the year.
I feel like they have four stars and a star in your leader.
For me, it's... how do you beat that?
Yeah, it's pretty insane.
Let me ask you because you've walked these stairs before.
What is it like just before the grand final, even if you're super prepared, even if you
got all your ducks in a row?
Is there... there has to be some trepidation, right?
I mean, your thoughts are going crazy.
You have to calm down, you just have to think about the game and everything begins at the
beginning of the day.
You cannot waste too much time on making tweets or thinking about storylines.
All you have to do is just relax and just focus on the game.
That's it.
Yeah.
And go in with a clear head.
Let me ask you then, who's going to prevail and have the clearest head?
Who are your kind of DHL finals MVP frontrunners for this match?
I mean, obviously, this is Zywoo, he's so far ahead, but we've got some runner-ups like
Flamesy, Robs.
They're not that far behind them in retrospect, but Zywoo did a really bad game and Robs are
flames to step up really hard for them to become the MP, so the number one part.
Can I give you a counter argument? Yeah. Molo doi. The way he's been playing, right?
On this stage together that one, two would fall and the fact that he's
doing better and better on stage and that a lot of people say that he gives like
the old type of opera style, not the ones who are shackled by CS2 and their
constrictions and the way he plays. How much of a difference is he going to have to make?
a lot of difference. I mean he's going up against players who know how to deal with
operas like simple like shiro they've been against any type of opera but what
Maldoy has is this unpredictability he can shine in any situation that's been
given to him so what he's gonna do he has to do a lot of stuff to make it work.
Yes but he's so fun to watch I'm really excited for this grand final thank you
Jail. Thank you.
time.
officially announced CS two will indeed be part of the Esports Nations Cup. So let's give you a
little bit more info on it. Of course, the top 96 CS nations based on virus and face a performance
will have national qualifiers on face it, where single nation teams can compete to represent
their nation. Those national teams then compete in 10 regional qualifiers, which narrow it down to
24 teams across regions, which will compete at the Esports World Cup or Esports Nations Cup. Sorry.
teams could only be from one nation and having maximum of three players from each club. So
we were set a task, which is a, I'm not going to lie, harder for some than it is for others.
So I'm looking at you, Dupree. We're going to be building a team based on our nationalities.
You've obviously got Denmark. There were a million different possibilities for you to be going in
this one. Ten years at all, maybe. Yeah, that's exactly like ten years ago. We're struggling
right here. So it wasn't like an easy job to put this team together, right? But I did want to try
and get pieces where there's experience, but also want to get some of the new players, right?
I want to create a team that can have a leg in both camps and I had to be looking obviously a starless
That kind of makes sense, you know, I had to pick some place from a starless
And I I think the best place to pick my stars would be yabi and star
I think that was like the two ones I got you for my in-game leading role
I think that I wanted to go over living for the prospect. I got christened out of heroic
I got that I think it's an attorney into something really great. I needed some experience and I needed a naba
I had to get my old teammate device. You would you're not surprised right and then the biggest one that people are probably good thing
Is that I'm gonna be picking blame F into my team
Well, maybe if it's just you know having a little baby place up
But this guy can really shoot right and this is where it's just interesting because I have a whole new strategy because I want to be
Coaching this team and I might my new approach to the seniors that we're gonna be playing you know
Hits up cars so we want to be in your face
And you know who I'm gonna be picking to have that spirit the ankle German idea who I'm gonna put in that spirit
You're not going to put blame after that.
I will put blame as a spearhead because we need to change his way of seeing Counter Strike.
And that is my genius idea.
I think he might fall suddenly ill before the tournament in that case.
But yeah, he would excel there though.
People play with less discipline, it's more puggy and he can punish them more.
Yeah, I feel like he's not going to be a fan of that or maybe you to pre-offer it.
I'm making a decision.
Don't say that you're coaching this team.
I'm surprised you didn't put yourself in that.
You know, if I could go back in time, if there's one thing that I would really want to have
my career that would be to actually represent Denmark you know I haven't really had that chance
you know it's not really been accepted as an actual sport for a long time you know that's what I
always wanted you're wearing that Denmark jersey go out and represent my country never had the
opportunity and then when I retire then I actually sort of get the opportunity I retired too early
apparently I remember you in Belgrade a long time ago doing a little something something but those
are different times okay Janko your task question assemble a Serbian squad who have you got my task
was to find five players from Serbia. It's been a bit lacking in the talent department,
in the talent pool, but we did our best. Obviously, Nexa is going to be there as the IGL, as that
veteran presence. We need some of that. There's a couple of players that have been fighting through
some of these international teams. Dragon is one of them. A lot of them have been on I-Nation
previously, but Dragon is one of them. He's on Metasport right now, playing his trade. Vladan
is another one who had a little bit of time standing in for some of these different teams
at different times. Nebanya was maybe a bit of a controversial name, but on zero tenacity
they've been fighting for a long time to sort of break through, couldn't quite make it,
and then the last one...
It's you!
No!
It's not that desperate for us.
It's not that desperate, but it is pretty green because the last one is we need an
and I went with a guy named Deutsche, who is this young prospect, but a bit of an attitude
on him, you know, need to whip him into shape, get some discipline going, and that's why
I have Emmy, my old teammate as the coach as well, because who better to deal with a
player who has an attitude than a guy who had to coach simple for a little while?
That doesn't look too bad.
I actually, you're surprised that I'm fine with it.
I'm surprised that you're in my own opinion, when I heard that you had to pick a Serbian,
he was like, who are you even going to be picking?
And then you knew who this is.
Next time, I actually forgot that he was from there.
Yeah.
He'll allow it.
Would you have any chance going up against Team Denmark?
To be Dupreeh as a coach and play Meph as the entry frag
or everyone has a chance.
OK, maybe I raise you.
My dream British team, obviously, we
have to go with the Merzy, making a name for himself
in Vitality, probably, if not definitely,
the best British player to ever touch Counter-Strike.
And I'm also going with a little man called Cypher.
I'm still salty about the whole
situation that's around of his
roster removal. So I'm going to
give him a second chance in this
incredible team, which then
descends into smoo. Yeah,
obviously on the off. I want to
bring back those smear chance.
I've also picked Thomas in there
as well. He's very, um, very
diverse in his roles. He's kind
of done pretty much everything
other than all pink. I know he's
kind of been in that in game
leader role, but I've actually
decided to roll back the years
and get rattlesnake game lead.
that shows how long he hasn't
played for all of this picture
like 15 years. I was looking up
to this guy back in social. It's
been a long time. I would love
to get him out. He was a
yeah, he was a staple name. I
don't know, man. Brattlesnake. If
you're out there, please phone
in right in getting the chat. We've
love to hear from you on and
energy the coach. You know what?
That's a perfect idea. I think
the offer from the British team team but of course Medi will be gracing the stage in our
Grand Final here in Krakow so let's hear from Vitality and Apex.
Another Grand Final for Apex and for Vitality. Now Apex I heard you talking yesterday at
the desk segment about kind of sacrifices that needs to be given by anyone around you
but by yourself to be at a level like this but when you step into this arena and you
see everyone here and you know that you've got the guys next to you does it make it all
worth it?
Of course, I mean, it's a chance to be here in the big tournament grand final in such a big crowd like that.
For us, it's all about enjoyment first, but of course at the end, you're welcome to win.
Absolutely. When you've been on top for such a long time, how do you squeeze out the percentages?
What does it come down to?
Well, I think that it comes down to like playing the game the way you will play a group stage.
Like, not thinking about like, you can win the World Event or whatever.
It's all about thinking about the prison, what we can do on each map.
And I think, yeah, we have the experience now to play in this big final, to big tournament finals.
We know how to deal with that, with our behavior, with the pressure, with everything.
So it's all about that, and I think we get used to it.
And the map pool, of course, there is an improvement, I would say, because it's even wider now.
You also played Ancient vs Aurora.
Do you feel more comfortable going into a Best of Five final than you did, let's say, five months ago?
Yeah, I think so. I think when we played on Chengdu, again, Freya and Chengdu, we were probably at the lowest we were in the past year, in terms of level overall.
I think we better know we have a better map pool overall. We try to improve on the map we were the weakest on and playing good on the map we still play good on.
So yeah, I think our map pool is ready. Of course, it's annoying that they remove our best map, they're scared of it. It's normal. Everyone is.
So yeah, but it doesn't it's still good for us. We still have a good map overall
So yeah, even though we will not have those two in this one. It's still I'd say fine
When it comes to robs, he had just joined last year. It was all the question marks
How are how is everything gonna happen? Can you paint me a picture of how different he is and how much of a stalwart?
He has become for your victories
But yeah, I think since he joined it's 17 events and it's the 12th final. That's a good number, right?
I think Robin is the best at his role for a couple of years now.
He has a work ethic, he is a big game player.
He has everything needed to win, to be honest.
It's just a pleasure for me and it's so easy for me to play with such a player.
Last year we didn't know how he would implement to this team.
And now we see that he's a huge part of our success as well.
So yeah, I'm proud to have him and hopefully for many more like that.
that because it's pretty good to win, it's a pretty good agreement.
Final question up against Fallen, when you look at your trajectories we've got 17 years
for you, 23 for Fallen, I mean it's kind of crazy, you're probably going into this matchup
with respect and reverence but of course that doesn't mean that you can't beat him today.
Yeah of course, I mean Fallen has been there for a bit longer than me, he's a bit older than me
and he was in the professional a bit younger than me as well. But yeah we've been here for a long
time together. We stayed at the top the whole time we were players. Never, I mean we dropped
down a bit, we came back. He said something yesterday or two days ago that CS is his priority
for the last more than 20 years. And if you want to stay that long in the game like us,
that's the only thing you can do is having CS as your first priority when you have these
young guys just running behind and trying their best to become pros as well. So I think
we have the same love for the game, we have the same patience. Yeah, we don't know who's
going to win today but it's a fun final of Grand Paz. It absolutely is. Thank you, good luck.
You know him as your kinder, I'm going to call him Morris or I could just say that Fury have
found their way into a grand final. Big day for you, your kinder. How did you feel when you woke
up this morning? I mean honestly a little bit nervous but every time I feel nervous a little bit
you know because not every day you get an opportunity to play in such big event in a grand
final and against such a strong opponent like a Vitality. But that's why we're professional
players. We learn to use this nervousness and kind of make it excitement instead.
Channeling it in an appropriate way so that you could potentially go on to hoist the trophy.
Well, yesterday you got nine clutches, not you personally, but Fury had nine clutches
against Spirit as a team. Even after losing that Dust 2, where was your head at in the
game going into that third map?
Yeah, well, I feel like a lot of the clutches were as well on Nuke. So we didn't necessarily
feel that we were winning many clutches. Yeah, there was a 2v5 on Mirage or whatever, but
at the same time, Spirit were just bouncing back and bouncing back. It was very hard
to play. After this too, honestly, we came to the room. It was dead silent because we
lost an important round and we couldn't keep it going. And then we were sitting there and
somebody said in the room, they're like, guys, we have a game tomorrow either way. So let's
make it to be a grand final and not the third place decider. And everybody just came in
individually in the right mindset for Nuke. We especially wouldn't expect Nuke for third without
this going to be overpassed so we weren't like 100% ready but things were flowing, watches were
going you know and uh yeah. So how does it and how did it feel to watch young Mollaboy over there
performing the server yesterday stand up and tice the crowd? How does that make you feel on the
inside? I mean seeing this already I feel like this is his strong threat to playing in these
these playoff games, these important matches.
I feel like only the best players in the world
have this opportunity to enter the little bit of a flow state.
And at the same time, just be present during these tough matches.
And Mulder is definitely one of them.
He has a bright future ahead of him.
And he said our answers yesterday along the line.
I absolutely know that, hey, last question
got for you this grand final today.
Would you say more or less pressure than Budapest and Austin?
Or where do you place this grand final?
The thing is, even though we've played Vitality and we've beat them two times, they beat us one time, so it's like we had three games.
Pressure never goes away, you know, it's like, you know, they're strong players, you know, there's insane individuals in that team, it's a superstar team and...
Nothing you can do, really, but I feel like our team is always really good on...
A couple rounds go by on the first map and you already forget about the pressure and you're just in the moment playing the game
So that's what so that's our goal
And we're gonna be living in the moment living in the present and not thinking about like oh what what what's gonna happen if we're gonna lose
Or win or we're not thinking about that you can her last thing. Well guys promise. I promise you it's the last thing
Whole crowd whole stadium out there. You want to address them you say something to them?
Thank you everybody for insane support honestly
I said it's an interview after the game against Spirit.
This crowd was something else, emotional and very good.
Super thankful, be loud today.
And I don't really mind if you support Vitality or us,
but be loud, be here, be present.
And thank you everybody for watching.
Thank you very much, you kinder, good luck.
Thank you.
The Intel Extreme Masters Crack-Op 2026, brought to you by ESL.
partnership with Intel, Acer Predator, DHL, Zao, and City of Fire.
It has all been leading up to this championship Sunday at the Intel Extreme Masters live from
the Tauron Arena.
This may be a new era for us in Krakow, but Vitality eager to prove that we are still in
theirs.
Maus swept off the stage in a blink of an eye, with Vitality's now locked on the prospects
of back-to-back trophies.
One that Furia have never managed to lay their hands on in Fallen's 20-year playing career
This is the one that got away and 2026 presents the golden opportunity to strike one best of five.
It's all that separates both our teams from glory as we welcome you to the grand finals of the Intel Extreme Masters
Crack-Off 2026. It is my absolute pleasure to be on the desk alongside fame names in Debris and YNK.
There's just nothing like waking up and knowing it's championship Sunday today.
Absolutely and especially having that feeling when two of the teams that have played the best
Counter-Strike are in the final, and I think there's no doubt about that whatsoever.
They both earned their spots to be here, and I feel like this is going to be one of those finals that we're going to remember for a long time.
In the end, this is what it's all about. As a player, you know, for the fans, for all of us, you know, Grand Finals is always what we are looking the most forward to.
It's where we get to see the best teams, and also we get the best ranked team in the second best ranked team in the world.
Go head to head in the best of five. For a lot of Counter-Strike in this massive and incredible arena, there's nothing more to like.
What's it like?
Let's start by talking about Vitality then because I think it's only right to reflect
back on 2025 and look at where that incredible legacy was started.
It was over just in a town just a couple of miles away called Katowice and that's where
they managed to start what was a catalyst for, I guess, really a year like none other,
Janko.
Absolutely.
And you were thinking at the time, maybe just the honeymoon period things clicked.
Well, it was more foreshadowing of what's to come and it was just an incredible performance
from Vitality, you know, Robs showing instantly proving his worth in that grand final on the
first map and I think just the way they managed to take down Spirit in a 3-0 fashion really
paved the way for what ended up being an incredible year.
Also to remember that Spirit was actually, they were the defending champion at that time
and this was really a personal one for Apex for a long time back in my time in the Vassal,
He was always going to this category, and he was thinking, this is going to be the
one where he's going to change the round, am I actually going to be able to win this
one?
And then he actually managed to do so.
That was the one that got away for him.
So to him, to find that success for the team to find that, obviously meant a lot to everyone.
I'm sorry to throw you under the bus like this to Pre-Bot.
I always kind of compared it to the Cologne car service, it was always A-Fregs car, so
it's kind of self.
That's why the one that always got away, right?
I just want to ask from your perspective as well, like when you're in this incredible
moment where you're winning literally everything you are on top of the world
are you actually able to enjoy it are you able to bask in the moment because
that's something that by tally you always talk about about having to stop
for a moment look around smell the roses because you never know when it's
gonna actually end no I think that's that's the scaring part about you kind
of live in this fantasy world where you're just going to tournament of a
tournament you're winning and you're watching trophy and it's it kind of
becomes your daily life it becomes natural and you know you still get
decided right but when you've watched the trophy you go back and usually head
This is just like another title on the run.
Let's be honest, that's the feeling that we had in Australia.
But obviously for Provitalia, there's more to this year.
Now they want to replicate what they did last year.
They want to assure that this wasn't just like a fluke year.
We can continue being dominant.
And it's also something that we are just so impressed to be
watching right now that a team can actually be dominant in a
time where it wasn't actually meant to be possible.
And it's truly incredible.
But for Provitalia, coming here without making it sound wrong,
it's just another day at the office.
Apex is really key to that, right?
And you know why Freya?
Because of this guy.
He's suffered like many of us through the Prime Astralis era,
but there was just nothing you could do.
Like time and time again, you feel like,
well, if you run into Astralis, it's pretty much over, right?
So for him to now be the Astralis and be that dominant team
and have the perfect team, everything to fall into line,
like he cherishes it, he treasures it.
He's waited his whole career for a team like this.
And now that he has it, he's going to make everyone pay.
He's going to make everyone else suffer,
and everyone else goes through what he had to go through
in Astralis's prime.
As long as there's no in the major, I'm fine.
Let the team, that person, let's even please them.
Just move away for a little bit.
You can win everything else, but that one.
Incoming, DePre, coming out of retirement after Cologne.
Either way, we need to look at Fulham as well,
because it's only right that Counter-Strike's
oldest event has one of the players
with the most longevity in his playing career,
still around to this very day, 20 years later. But this one,
Yanko has been the trophy that is always evaded him in his
career.
Yeah, absolutely. And it was at this tournament, you know,
10 years ago, where they were really putting themselves on the
map. This was the last tournament before MLG Columbus,
where they ended up lifting their first major trophy. So it was
just before, you know, unlike Furia now, they've actually
peaked at the right time in 2016. Here, maybe they peaked a
little bit early last year, couldn't live that Budapest
major trophy but yeah that's kind of crazy to think of that many best of
fires that he just always come out on top because you can see some of the
different teams in there right like it's not like all the best of fires are
from their dominant days in SKLG but it's a different beast going into a
best of five and he's been able to handle it really well throughout his
career. It's absolutely nasty just looking at how long that he's been doing
And just to see how Fall has also reinvented himself, I don't think anyone actually knows how difficult that is to just take a step back and then leave off the job, but become such a, I mean, I wouldn't say like a crazy rival, but at least picking up where, you know, playing the way he's doing as of right now.
It's just incredible to see. And with the longevity that he's been having and following in my books is my top three of the most respected players that I can ever go against.
The way that he's always been, you know, standing up the Brazilian scene for the South American scene,
but also the way that they have always managed to, in their SK days, reinventing Counter-Strike back then, you know, coming in.
And then now, again, finding another level, being able to take a team like Fury to where they are today, that's absolutely incredible.
And I'm really happy he, like Apex, has a great team now.
Because Fallen, he's just such a nice guy, you know, sometimes lacks a bit of an ego in terms of,
So he always is willing to make everyone else happy.
He's always willing to concede some control, you know, to give something else a try.
I mean, we were talking about the last dance four years ago and that Imperial team and
it's just okay, one marketing tour, you know, to put a bow on it.
And I think just his career and his individual prowess and how he is as a leader and as a
captain deserved a lot more.
So to see Fallen this late in his career on a competitive team, still fighting for trophies,
you know being the captain that he was I think it's just awesome and then I'm
really happy if he has this for himself. Do you think that that last was so horrible
that he decided to just continue and get that last and somewhere else and try it again?
I think it was a pretty good summer right? I think this was a Hail Mary with
your kinder and MoloDoy this was like alright this is the last thing we're
trying and then I'll maybe step aside get someone else to take over the role and
then it works so well and you know how it is when you're on the number one team
or you're fighting for trophies you are retiring when you are on a contender team right so let's see
for how long this keeps on going. Let's just check in with something else that is on the
line here in Krakow as well of course the ESL Grand Slam we've been keeping hot up to date with
this because there is a lot on the line particularly when we're looking at Vitality and Furin needing
to get one of these championship events. Dupriya I just wanted to pick your brain for a moment
because we were talking about it in the green room the introduction of the Grand Slam back in your
What was your actual reaction when you heard of this concept coming out?
It's like Peter Perkbread in my brain because when I was introduced to this format thinking that you need to be
Done for such a strong and you to win four tournaments in such a short span of time
I was like that's not gonna be possible
No one's gonna be able to do that and now we have multiple teams doing that we even have a guy like Rob
That's about to do it for the third time which in in all honesty. She's absolutely incredible
It's it's it's another like maybe it's like a little bit of a lower within it winning the major
But once you've won multiple majors, that is maybe your next thing that you want to be going up with the names of the teams that already been winning the grand slam, right?
So it's it's like a very huge achievement for you as a player. Not as big as the major, but just below it.
Well, you mentioned Rob. So he had talked about the prospect of this rematch because in tail end of 2025,
it was very to be plaguing vitality, not so much at the major, but when we look back at IEM Shandu,
this was of course a best of five. You might have been deceived if you just looked to the 3-0 scoreline thinking it was a walk in the park.
It wasn't a very competitive game ensued in Chengdu, right?
Yeah, and this was the game that had me lose confidence in vitality as the favorite for the major
Because of the veto somewhat because they let ancient through and also because of furious
Seemingly being very comfortable against them in the game, right?
I mean it was a 3-0, but it was a very competitive
Grand final despite it being a 3-0 and it just felt like that psychological advantage that vitality had against a lot of other teams
like it went missing after this game versus Furia. I really feel like Vitality is
touring with the idea of attempting to play all seven maps. It's something that
we've done in the past as well and it's something that's always extremely
precuritized but incredibly hard to actually do because you have such a
short limit of time specifically when you're making so many deep runs at
tournaments and you're winning from trophies. You have to go back to the
practice room and then you have to leave something behind. All the maps you're
feeling comfortable about you will leave that amount. Then you focus on this new
map and I think for Vitality it's going more of a way of seeing okay we know
that the top five teams are really good on Ancient, those teams we're not going to be
punished, we're not going to be able to play with them, but once we go to the teams below
that, that's where we can maybe leave Ancient.
Let's put a pin in the Ancient and UBIS discussion just for the moment.
And dive into some of those moments from Chengdu.
Janko, you've picked out some Ancler, map number two, which was Inferno.
What are we seeing?
Yeah, because this felt also that there was an advantage for Vitality.
This was their pick.
And when your team B in the best of five, this might be the only pick you get.
So you better make it a good one.
And Furia had a tremendous T side.
So I'm going to go into a couple of rounds from that T-side to showcase you guys what I feel like the game plan was
and where they felt the weakness was for Vitality.
So some early banana utility, just simulating that they want to fight for Banana.
You're going to see Vitality use utility of their own to check top Banana.
They're going to get the information that, alright, no one is there, Apex is running back.
They're going to be set up in a 4A defense towards the A1 side.
Fiora going to retake mid, you know, and I think here, Fiora, you can see there's no
one, there's no one really towards that banana area, and Fiora are, you know, very much aware
that they don't have banana control, and I think they know there's going to be four players
waiting for them, but just in the way how they clear these positions, how they're methodical
in gaining space, it's still going to make this defense crumble. Also, Yakin are already,
You can see him deep shore. They're unaware of him, rops over, extends.
I was no idea Ykinder is here, and this round completely falls apart, right?
With this A pressure without having banana control.
So let's go to the final round of this game.
Again, it's going to be fast A pressure.
This time K Serato extinguishes the molly, and they're pressuring long a lot.
They did this throughout this game. They throw the B split smoke,
which things don't do as often these days.
Molotov pushes Aibo away, and now we're going to have Ykinder and K Serato try to take space
towards CT spawn. They find Mezzi, great job of spacing here to get the trade on Apex and
what's also important is they know they killed one B, one A player, Flames is obviously alive.
Look at Molotov, he has an AWP, he's walk pushing the smoke, that's how confident he is that Flames
is going to move despite him killing them from stand backs a couple of rounds previously and
this is just the confidence that they have. We're talking about going up against Metallity in a
grand final, Zybel and Robbs, they try to react, Yuri who had a great final as well,
you know, just holding that flank, getting more information.
And despite Molotov dying on A, they're going to be able to clutch out the 2v2 and win Vitality's map pick.
And it just seems like they feel the weakness was that long towards CT, that area of the map.
And despite sometimes not having banana control, they were not worried at all about ending rounds on the A-Bone safe.
And this is like this confidence that we need to be seeing out of here today as well,
because if you want to be taken down by Vitality, you need to be able to dare to play,
you need to be there to actually also go into position where you might lose,
Because if you don't, then you will just always be playing through the book, you'll pay the ABC counter strike, and that is where Vitality is really good at punishing you.
So, keep them guessing, keep them moving, keep them in this position where they don't know what's going to be happening, and then you're in for a really good time.
That's the thing, right? Like the spacing you're able to take in those moments. I feel like it kind of epitomizes each player in their role, right?
The fact that your kind is going for that aggressive move towards the spawn area, and they're mollied, or yeah, sure, we might not get the kill, but having that intuition to be able to push at that moment is really impressive.
Absolutely, and just understanding that if Vitality opens 3B, what's going to be V-Krona?
You know, Robs almost never plays towards long when he is, even when there's two players,
like he's around that pit, short, apps, somewhere there, so they see that,
okay, this is where we can take a lot of space, and it's not about even,
this was perfect in terms of they got into CT, they got the kills,
but even just applying that early pressure, you know, that makes the defense so uncomfortable
because you don't know if they want to finish the round on A, are they just taking space,
But that's where it becomes difficult to come up with a solution for Vitaly.
Let's move on to what was the third and final deciding map that was overpassed back at Chengdu.
It's going to be interesting to see if, when that's coming into fruition here,
but what have you picked out for us to play?
The reason why I think that all pass will be very very important and also instruments for this match today
is that I really want to be showcasing what Vitaly is so good at.
So in the beginning as we can see with a lot of teams,
it's a lot about creating a pressure by applying the smoke and the molotov that now allows,
that are now lost by tally players to scale up towards
towards up towards the balloons and also be able to go towards fountain and
that's really puts the fury players in a position where they don't know exactly
what's going to be happening. They are left in the little bit of the unknown.
What actually then is going to happen is the very classic one with the boost they're
going to try and get some information you can then scale through the smoke.
Take a look at Apex. He is the guy on vitality that is the one
rotating between the bomb site and he is the one that is usually the guy that
either wants to start towards B, he wants to start towards A, he's that
Joker this time around he starts in the underground position where he's going to be throwing nades to maybe mask that but that is actually
Rubs playing in underground not epic this time around but as you can see Rubs is already
Positioning himself on top of the loose and you have so we'll cover his entrance from stairs
Then what's gonna happen is the fact that furia is not going to be transferred for infagiating that gets taken down by
Saewoo and this point they
Just want to try and trade but but Rubs is already in his fall position and they have a 3-5 and at this point
They've already created enough cares
They've gotten the advantages that they just want to fall back go back to a more passive position where they can just play out the
Round and then play that based counter strike that they are so good at and the side who they decide to go team again
I'll be rough scorn and finding fallen out here on the long position and at this time of the round
You know, it's it's literally just fury trying to you know pick up the parcels and try to get back in the number
It's simply not possible
What do you make of that one? Yeah, I think that's been destroyed. That's why Julia has felt maybe a little bit
different on Overpass, their default has been a struggle and when your default isn't
functioning on Overpass there's not really much to fall back on, right?
That's not predictable for the opponents and we know that their map control heavy team defaults
are really important for them and if it comes to this they will have to find a way to deny
these aggressive plays to punish Vitality when they go for them because otherwise
they're going to struggle on the T side. And it's just the Vitality, they have so many openings
on that CT side on Overpass, they can start 4B, they can start 3B, they can get greater
by A, whether that's in the underground, it can be towards balloons or long.
Hyperion has to be ready for so many different things and that is what's going to be the
big picture for me when it comes to Fiora, can they puzzle things together because in
their latest match on Overpass, they went a lot towards the B-bombs up because maybe
they had struggles towards A, they couldn't really find that deep falling vibe, so it's
going to be interesting to see how much health he's going to be approaching, are they going
to be countering in terms of what happened in the rematch or are they actually going
to be looking at the recent match of the Fiora play?
Okay, should we dive into it? Should we get the veto rolling?
Let's before we roll the veto. I think here is also really important. Unlike other vetoes,
this is where you prefer to be TMA, meaning the first team to veto, first team to pick,
because then you get to pick two maps out of the first three will be your maps.
And in all last time, great graphic actually, you know, you see here with Furia Veto in Nuke,
and then the train veto from Vitality really bothered me, because you have to also remember
you get to pick the side. So, okay, you're feeling uncomfortable on this map, but you will play
CT train or CT overpass. I know that Furia won the coin toss and they picked to be TMA again.
I think if I were Furia, I would maybe try to get rid of Anubis. I don't know how they feel on
Anubis. If they feel like they have enough reps, then they can just get rid of Ancient themselves.
I don't think there's like other clear maps for these teams where they could go for the punish.
I think Furia feels fine on their Dust 2 as well. That's something that Vitality is really,
really strong one, but I think if that happens, if Furia doesn't veto ancient, Vitality should
just veto it. Like, stop this, you know, obsession with proving that you're, and playing this game
of chicken, right, on a map that you just don't play, and Furia's players have played ancient
in different teams. Apex and Zybel never played this map, competitively, outside of the two games
that they had on Vitality. So just the knowledge, you know, of the angles, of the utility, of the
timings is on the side of Furia and even with the Cenklu Grand Final the experience of playing
Grand Finals is still overwhelmingly on the side of Vitality especially as these five
men line up so don't get carried away about ah they're not going to you know they're gonna get away
with it it's like who cares you have plenty of other good maps and it's the best of five don't fall
for it again and it's just as these two are so similar in terms of map would they like to play
the same kind of maps. It really is going to come down to you. It does really feel like the Vito is
like that first battle. Who's going to win out that first battle? Who's going to be floating
of potentially an ancient? We're going to see that as we did in Shane Dew again. Is it going to be
a case? I'm also intrigued to see if it's actually going to be because Vitality knew they played it
against Aurora. So we do have the first band here, just two. That is a that you know, they don't
actually want to go for the Antiband this time around. So it's going to be interesting to see if
I mean, obviously this is more like a respectable band and that was a respectable band.
I think this is where, you know, Fury, okay, Dust 2 Vitality, I think someone said they're like something crazy, they lost four maps with this lineup and won, I don't know, close to 30 on Dust 2, so not a bad, bad for them, they get away with one, I think we see the Mirage pick, it just turned around completely in this tournament, from being the punish pick against them to them beating everyone on the map, so now for Vitality, last time we saw Inferno, they go back to it, one more time.
time and this is where you know I in theory I would like for Fury to pick
Overpass but I don't think they feel that confident on it but then it's like
Overpass, Nuke, Canubis. I was expecting it to be. I think Nuke makes sense in this one
because that's the map they've been looking the most comfortable on it. It's
funny because I remember them saying in the interview that Nuke was actually the
map they felt least comfortable around like and now they've gone into the point
of they actually want to be picking it. Yeah. It's kind of the same with Mirage you know
they haven't felt the confidence but they started looking great and now
all of a sudden this is their main pit and then we actually do get to see a new
bit as a potential fifth map and we also have to get the whole past we just
talked about. Yeah if it hasn't been banned I think it was a surefire fifth
map you almost don't want it to go to five because that would be a bit of a
scrappy map I feel like with how recently it's been reintroduced to the pool
and the changes that it's had teams just haven't had a ton of time to practice
it. But yeah I like this for both teams. Fiora gets away with one with
banning dust, but Vitality, you know, does the right thing. It was ancient and they still
are very, very strong on all of these maps and can put up a really good fight.
So you're less pissed than you were. Yes, I was shocked. I thought that was that was
one of the biggest blunders I think it's ever been.
Let's just talk about the prospect of the best of five, though, because to pre this
is truly a marathon. It's not a sprint. You need stamina when you're going to be attacking
this one, right?
The butterflies are extremely tough to play. I mean it's not only about having a deep map pool, but it's also about having stamina and also getting enough reps on your map because you're going to be tested on multiple maps if it goes all the way to the fifth one.
And as I was just showing you screen before, we have seen how the roads to Grand Final for Vitaly is looking at 8 maps. It's like 145 rounds.
the other side is like almost a double for fear they played 16 maps in this
tournament single-handedly 345 rounds at this tournament only it kind of proves
and also visualizes that the road to the grand final for battalion has been sort
of simple it's been kind of easy in his epic's own wording and now for the
furious side they've gone through a lot you know they're probably a little bit
more exhausted than by time he's looking so it's gonna be nice to see that no
who's actually gonna come on top in terms of the stamina it's because by a
fury has now been put in a position where they've been tested and gone
through the dirt, they've worked away here, all spent heavily now having an easier road.
That's the perfect word for it, tested. I don't feel like Vitality has been tested,
not because they played 8 maps, but because they haven't faced a team that would challenge them.
Yes. You know, no offense to Maus, but they're never going to be a challenge for Vitality.
Anyone else in that semi-final, I feel like would have been a better game, you know, and
the one time Vitality went up against a team that they had close games with, that was Falcons
at Bounty with a stand-in and they ended up losing that one which was kind of a shocking result.
So that's something where you wonder against Furia who's beat them the last two times that they played.
Are they going to be prepared enough for what's coming in that sense?
And to be tested up here is somewhat very different going to get tested in the team stage.
They only, I'm entirely only, were tested when they came to Arora and that's when they played
Ancient and that just looked like any ordinary face-to-game. So being tested up here that's
That's where Fury has been tested, both in the qualifiers but also in the singles.
And now we're looking at a team, Vitality, as of right now.
A team that has just rolled over Mouses and now they find themselves in a Grand Final
without actually being tested, so it's going to be interesting.
And a little bit of a difference to their last match-ups are some of the individual performances,
you know, and how players have gone into 20-26.
Robbs had an uncharacteristically bad series against Fury at those two times,
especially on a map like Inferno and CT side where he's such a rock,
You know, was somewhat shaky and you have a tough time seeing that happen for a third time in a row
for a player like Rob, so that could be dangerous for Furia.
And on the flip side, Uri has had a tremendous final three months for them.
And in 2026, maybe some of the position changes, you know, has been a bit slower to get back into the swing of things.
And I think these two guys, especially because the rankers on the CT side,
are going to be really, really important to have good games here in the Grand Final.
Let's finally touch upon the Opus on both sides of things, because obviously Rookie of the Year and Morador are going up against a certain prospect in Zairu.
How do we feel like this clash is going to be going down to stylistically in terms of what we expect?
If you look at the pay-per-dent, people were thinking that Zairu's bubble is just going to be outstanding and just going to put Morador back to bed.
But I think that Morador has already shown being the Rookie of the Year last year and also how he has just taken the stage that I don't think he's going to be frightened of Zairu, not at all.
And we need to see Moldova continuing what he's doing, because he needs to go out and challenge so.
He cannot just allow himself to just fall back and then play passive, because Moldova's strength is what he's doing, and he's showing it time and time again.
A trophy pursued by so many, but earned by so few tonight. We ingrate the 20th name in the Winter Championships history.
The walls are different, but the pressure is the same.
Welcome the mayor of the city of Krakow, Alexander Mishalski.
The red sun rose this morning, dark skies pronounced your warning, nowhere to hide, nowhere to hide.
Hold on, the floor is caving, you're all turning to cages, your refuse will be yours tonight.
While we started the year with Grubbs, after the first week of practice, I told my emcee
of activity, we're going to win the Cato Itza.
I remember that I went to the finals of this tournament and I played against Fnatic at
their prime.
Being the last of something to put in a ministry means you're the father.
There's a part of me that really wanted to be there as well.
I know it's a big task.
Something is missing.
I'm on a stage of my career that I'm not going to have many, many, many more shots.
Winning the last once is great.
But no, it is behind us.
We are in Krakow.
To my best of five record, the only one that I lost was actually in Katowice.
And after that, for some reason, I never lost another best of five.
Most of the time, it's still no against anything, if you play our game, it's GG.
It's up to mentally never giving up, who's going to make the last mistakes, and who's going to fight more until the end.
My friendship, but he's not going anywhere!
You saved your friend!
Don't wanna put an end to that suicidal!
He is inevitable!
These are the defending jacks, and they are back to defend their crown!
Or do you give enough setting in?
You think you don't take it at all?
A year to the day that this run began a year of total dominance
But they intend to continue
Please welcome
The Panther is back on the prowl! Youth and experience in lockstep. Fallen is never won this trophy. It's today or the day. Please welcome...
Base Florea!
Vitality and Furia with Destiny in their hands, either the headline in their own story or
a footnote in their opponents. Apex had felt the latter for way too long. And finally, last
year not only ending the curts of Canavita, but to pre a catalyst for what was an incredible
year for Vitality.
Vitality know what awaits them and Vitality know what is coming at them. They are now
to be tested against Fiora, a team that has really relevated their game throughout this time of
vitality with so many great players and so many good individuals. Apex once again looking to take
this team to new heights, a team that has tried to replicate what we thought couldn't be done,
and a team that is now coming here to try and defend their championship, a team that is going to be
looking dangerous on these days. There's no doubt that Vitaly right now are telling themselves that
this is our playground, this is where we've been long and this is what we're going to be fighting for.
They know they can do it, but now it's time to show it once more.
In the final moments before you're walking out to this arena by talent, they see their name
engraved on the stairs from last year and for Fallen though, he just sees the names
have stopped his run for over a decade. Surely though, Janko, that just fuels you.
The professor has earned his tenure a long time ago, but that doesn't mean that he still doesn't
have a few lessons left to teach. The fans of Furia under his tutelage have been as sharp
as ever lifting their first IEM trophy in eight years in Chengdu last year, but it isn't until
the arrival of two exchange students bringing in a new school of thought that this lineup is truly
complete and truly capable of contending for the world's best. And he truly embodies sacrifice,
right? Absolutely and with Molodoy coming in I'm sure he sees a little bit of himself in him.
Combat topping, flamboyant, explosive and that's the only reason why he would give up the magic step.
History repeated or history rewritten. Back-to-back trophies or 14-year feats finally
tonight Krakow decides who carves their name in Counter-Strike Legacy.
The oldest trophy in Counter-Strike.
A living, breathing relic.
A chronicle of victory remembering all those who dared to claim it.
This is Counter-Strike Distilled in its purest, rawest form.
Decades of play, faces new and old, all grounded, all centered around this common thread.
From those legends who came before to the prospects yet to rise, this trophy is the
old king conquered by few and remembered by all today another name is etched into
the CS history books forever master five to decide the victor of this legendary
event the two top teams of last year both in renewed form crack off I want to
I hear you, I want you on your feet. Give me a roar, worthy of a grand final!
On one side of the stage sit the defending champions, the reigning champs here.
on the other side of furia after going international after stealing and finding their success at
the end of 2025 opening our Quella decade long beef with this event for fallen.
The most important match of the year so far. Let's at least get everything right. A best
to five, beginning on Counter-Strike's favorite map of Mirage, and we are live, crack-off.
Quite the stack.
And you want to set this one up for the bang, this might be the way to do it.
Moledoy, first kill at the grand final goes the lay of furious rookie of the year, follow-up from Fallon,
near and old, side by side, and it tears through the defense, Zywoo, Dolparadis, get nothing done!
It's a talk about making a good first impression.
Yeah, we call a master and a student for a reason, right? Not just Fallon handing over his favourite weapon to the young player,
teaching him everything he knew and still may be at times getting out shone.
Shocking to imagine a player of this inexperience make such a run the Maldor
has in the last year but man isn't just this championship that event we saw
Donk do the same two years ago. No better place for it.
Vitality's pistols have been troublesome. What they have excelled is the four spies.
Breaking momentum early.
So one round in and you're already hearing a lot of support for this Furious squad.
Vitality know, after claiming the top spot last year, they got used to being the villains.
Folks sick and tired of their success, seeing them go from strength to strength after the
most dominant season CS has ever seen.
And these four spies, well, look at the silence the Furious fans early, is cased around, they're
overwhelmed.
Apex follows up and Vitality, they've left it all on one man.
It's just Mollinoy!
Maybe even too tall a task for the breakout star of Furia
as he has sandwiched Apex Rains Supreme!
They hate you if you don't win enough.
They hate you if you win too much.
Vitality don't care what you want.
Forced by victory.
Written in the book.
And Furia crashing back to reality early in this grand final.
The
fuel for the fire.
Vitality armed and deadly.
Surely not. Clash of Molotoy vs. IWU, but every
The Deague won't be enough to get through slightly looser going the force round here for Furious
They try and get a feel for this game early.
Apex starting very strong though right looking confident three kills in the second round 5v4 here getting involved
Gonna need to Fallen's had an uptick in form as well. These captains are just sitting a sidecar
He's back for another.
For where that Zai Wu scout, for where these Vitality forces, he's looking for all three.
Gonna give him another chance and now all of Vitality just honed in on forward.
No road left to run there and the four spy wars closed out by Vitality.
The mentality is simple.
Why is Onzaibu today?
Far past crumbling on a stage.
Putting on one of his best performances so far in Krakow.
you feeling it? There's a lot of guys down there for him to try and deal with.
They're actually going to start giving chase. Looking like a clean finish here up against
the pistols. It's good to see Apex showing up in fighting form. This is a slaughter right
now, right? Sure, it's off the back of the force by a couple of low econ rounds for Furia,
but two deaths in three rounds combined. Vitality controlling the economy, feeling good while
they do so. Furia have to get warmed in now in this first buy.
Because remember, well it's not just legacy and a trophy and a championship and a title worth defending.
It's revenge for Vitality. Furia beating them back-to-back.
Vitality here to set the record straight. 3-0 against the Incheon Dune.
They say not today.
I have a scrap here as Apex.
I'm really getting curious playing ballsy from the word go of this grand final.
He's ended up behind enemy lines.
And they've got no idea. No one's even considering this right now for Furia.
This could be a disaster. Apex does he take the shot?
It's easy as two on a platter right here, and Apex is even ready for number three!
Molotov is cut down as well!
Captain takes matters into his own hands, and the firepower insurmountable for Furia.
Apex puts them down, three kills, full of locked out.
Such a strong start from Vitality's old boy, their veteran.
A captain, ten and two.
And he's firmly left Vitality in the driver's seat.
The mustling away control of the early game. It's all been apex right now
Furia might even have to call a pause early into this map because getting nothing done getting no rounds getting no kills in the last four
And vitality, you know the most dominant season we've ever seen
team, the team of the year. The only blemish on 2025 was Furia at the end. Four trophies,
two elite trophies, a clean 3-0 final over Vitality. Conversation of whether they could
be up for the task in Budapest. Yes, another choke on the stage. But this is more than
just a match for vitality. This is personal. Sit with a timeout. Fallen credited him in
a lot of rounds, saving fury after attack. So with low economy, with pistols and pop,
and they do it.
Are they going to come through flooding now onto this A site?
Flames, bit in monstrous form all tournament gets the showcase in there.
Sped in top out towards Ramford.
His teammates able to finish off the rest of them.
It's a terrifying sign for Fury right now, isn't it?
Not even how they're playing, but just how lethal Vitality look.
Multiple players putting up big moments and multi-kills early in this CT side.
What more can you do, Molly's everywhere, Flash buys time, but Flames still burns through three.
It's flowing right now for vitality.
I can't have a holiday walk again.
I like to think that that's what Fury had been waiting for here.
Look how ready he is for a play, I mean, holding under with the orb.
Yeah, inside we want that AWP right now.
It's Robs pushed up, claims walking in alongside it.
They're going to try and fall for Palace,
and they'll take Uri out of it.
That's so sick.
That's prep right paying off.
Knowing that close position is common by Uri.
Orb covers deep.
He's able to flash, make him turn.
Molotov does have an answer, though.
Yeah, look, you've been telling yourself, if you're Uri,
this is what you've been waiting for.
You've been waiting to bring that orb out,
put it in Molotov's hands, and he's going to earn you around.
It's a lot of pressure.
That's fine. Well, I'd always been unfazed by that.
Drop past Robbs right now, he's not going to see it, he will hear it.
Robbs all attuned, but Cacerato cleans him up.
It's a missed shot from that all.
Fury after pounce.
See the fakery coming in already. Does Messi hold his guard?
Unwavering in his position, hanging on in quiet desperation, Mezzi.
If you can call for support, Mezzi knows he was right.
It is hunched and never leave, never surrender this B site to Furia, Molotov rings out with
another and Mezzi caught in the open.
in the right place. None of
that matters for vitality. It's
star player. Sorry, Captain Apex
11 and two relegated to the save.
Vitality may know what's coming.
They can't stop it here. Integral
couple of kills from Molotoy.
Dropping that off as well. The
fury are looking to not allow
into the next round. Consider
the next round. Consider the promise fulfilled brings out that all puts it to work straight away.
They know if I tell you we're controlling this game early, then no money is not going to be a question here.
We have players of 14 K before by. So there's going to be orbs and there's going to be orbs for some time here.
Holodoy happy to take those heads to heads, though, and Furia happy to give him the room to find pics.
Although he certainly left it impression.
Because guess who's bought out the orb for the other side?
Zai Wu.
Now donning his as well.
These are the number one and two most successful opening kill orpers of last year.
You've got a pure orb in Molodoy via hybrid of Zai Wu.
Nope!
It never even gets a chance to react!
Zai Wu is quick with it!
So the ace up their sleeve is gone, might be time for Fallen to don this all.
He's not making a habit of giving it up to just anyone.
Got to earn that right.
Vitality sit back comfortable.
5v4, conceding the sight Zai Wu. Back turned to what will be an execute here. You're came
to very late lurk under. He's got no kills right now in this T side.
Confurious swing that hammer from down under. As they will have to retake.
I can't believe I was left to leave an impression in this game, but he's got big responsibility
here being the late player out through mid. Chance to cut down the rotations.
I tell you, you're already ahead of this playing out towards this point.
Flash and peek, and the coverage isn't there. Fall and close, one back. There's a follow-up
from Yuri. Suddenly, you're in a three-on-three, a fighting chance.
Zywoo hoping to deny.
Won't be able to stop that bomb plant and the flashes keep him tame out towards the spawn.
A clash versus Fallen.
It wasn't necessarily the AWP you were worried about here.
But the one that got carried away left that angle of an awkward timing and that sees Yuri alone.
Iced out.
The little details there.
Rops breaking that smoke.
Pulled Fallen off the angle.
Giving Zywoo control.
If Fallen doesn't move, probably hits that shot.
And it's a very different round, but no vitality pieced together a post-plots
With the man advantage slow and steady good punish on the plant as well
Stressful start to this game Paphuria nothing has gone right so far
Oh, I'm gonna run past his eye, we'll all be don't survive it a second time.
Head to head.
Bit of a beating right now.
Again Fallen goes to retrieve it.
Even your Kindar could buy for kills and fallage is throwing out at another.
You can still do it. There's no question against this team of all for gamble frames is
It's too quiet.
They have to slow down just to really try and figure this one out, grouping up now.
They look to dodge this stack from vitality. It leaves them one player to worry about.
As his activation has opened up a chance.
Flames in a good position but gonna need to get a lot from it. There's the line-up, pressure on for Foul and that's what I'm missing gonna do with the rightful. Flames just a one-man army!
And oh, this one hurts for Fury. They took all that time to try and figure out where the stack was, played to dodge it. They go into just the one-man hold and even that is too much!
Dude, he doesn't even need to peek. Flames is locked in that corner by the molly. He steps into it to take the third fight.
Forcing it all the way. Man down, Furia take too long.
And these rounds have been maybe slow to a fault here for Furia.
The fast ones early, getting them caught off guard by good multi-kills, but now they let Vitality play the map.
They let them enforce a stack, get aggressive on the flank, and put Flames in position to win the round.
This is one of the big issues if you're kind of getting shut down so early in this matchup.
He was instrumental in that series yesterday over Team Spirit.
had some fantastic rounds applied, a lot of pressure, but here he's been tamed.
And if you kind of slow his roll, you lose a lot of the aggression.
The only other guy offering it has been Molodoid.
He's not been fruitful in these opening fights.
And when your kinder pops off, you're in trophies, right?
We talk about Molodoid, but this guy is the hammer.
He is the guy at the front of the pack, cracking open bombsites, giving you rounds.
Flames coming into this off the back of a highlight in the last.
Might be required to step up again.
He's got support this time, and the form is not ruined.
So, it's just about catching the spillover.
Anyone that survives getting past this AWP, that's where Flamesteps in.
Oh, man's made it through, cover from Palace, but even then you're feeling cautious about swinging,
cautious about going too far, awkward line-up, and it's only Yuri left.
Close back what he can, but it's the AWP at the spawn.
Zai Wu putting a lot of pressure on, and the charge from Robs.
No respect for Yuri in that clutch.
Oh, it's contagious for Robs right now.
Just swinging off a stairs, uses that info, finishes the job.
Vitality on fire at the moment.
8 CT rounds, Fiora cannot get a grip on this game, they won the pistol.
Broken now, nothing to show for it.
Are they really gonna force?
And they care for Yuri, Khalil for Molotoy, and desperation for Furia as vitality look
for a sickening opening half to this grand final.
I mean this is where you know for Furia you think about the fact that this Mirage map
was one that they've been struggling on that they felt uneasy about heading into
crack-off and it's only through the reps constantly playing it here at this
event that that confidence came back. That's all dried up now thanks to
vitality. I know how important these strong starts are. I mean this stopped
being a strong start and just became a dollar and a half a long time ago down
to another broken force by for fury as they're left clutching at straws here
hoping to get anything at the end of this tea side since cheeky it could mean
something you can do through the smoke they're gonna see the execute at least
flames with his back turned you can do these to activate soon his flames might
another multi no way flames again you can now it's gone but for flames the
glory whatever they've needed him he's been there he's stepped up stood tall
and delivered and with so many players starting in top form for vitality fury
Run out of room on the half Mirage might pass by in an instant. I mean what a position
What an unorthodox position to commit and fury a pop through a smoke frames just flings them aside
Makes it look easy
Here's had an incredible tournament
And it looks like it's not done
Your kinder, who has lost a life there, that's not where you want him.
Tries to force it first again in the middle, leading it to luck, a smoke spam of a vitality
of aid, a fandoning mid, and again forcing Fury to execute, because so far none of them
have been successful. This was Furio coming in. We thought they had a fighting chance.
Well, here in this first half, they haven't had a chance to fight. Simply done, the flames
gets involved. I mean I have seen different players popping up all over the map. Vitality
are just playing this super loose. They know they're in full control of the game and Flames
challenging through the connector. Now back in time to defend this A bomb site. Fury might
have lurked through, but dealing with Flames has been no easy task. Yuri will get round
him, but a ground gained. He just lurked at Kcerato to do something and Robson just
I think he's caught off.
This is Vitality.
Look at him leave Furia down and out for the count at the end of map one.
This should not be a kill for Sai Wu.
Yuri collects that one. You're looking for scraps here, looking for three on the half.
Yuri's done what he can to provide but there's still more to be required.
Follow-up shot for Yuri. Now you're looking for Messi.
He's usually very calm under pressure, meant to deliver in moments like this, but can't get round that all.
Still, it's not a lot for Furia. Right now, they're living in Apex's fantasy land.
He's topping the charts, vitality, off to a flying start in this grand final.
...
I
For Furia, this was a chance to leave that legacy.
fallen to take a trophy alluding him for 10 years for a chance to swing at the
king for vitality it is just another day on the big stage more than enough
chances in this first half vitality runaway with a dominant defense yeah
there's a lot of red flags right now right the slow start from your kindal
one and 11 K Serato who has been the the rightful power at the heart of fury and
never getting going. Molotov getting shut down as he saw out those openers in that first half and across the board
it's strong stuff from every member of Vitality.
If this pistol gets away from you, you're looking at a very dominant opening map to this grand final.
One that it will be hard to recover from for Furia.
Push out into the A site, Vitality, they've got control. They're gonna have a bomb plant here. It's on to a retake.
So much control as well. The only danger here for Vitality is no util.
You'd love a deep smoke CT. You'd love a reflash to fight back against a Furia retake.
But they don't have anything either. So this is a brawl.
This is a fight for CT, and Furia are coming in.
You've just got to scrap.
You've got this flanking player that you're trying to let some time to,
but Molotov won't even have a chance to get involved,
because everyone's out here in CT!
Now it's just corpses! Molotov plays it forward!
Don't let this get away from you, it's only Zaywu on with that clock and he'll get run down!
A chance to catch your breath, a sigh of relief for Furia.
And a final second defuse coming through.
But we saw the same in the first half, so I refuse to get ahead of myself,
a force by surely imminent here for the team vitality.
Yeah, this score line saying that they won both pistols for the side of Furia,
it almost makes it feel worse.
No margin for error now, you've got to convert this one and you know Vitality are putting money in.
You know they're going to take another swing at you before you get those 3B rounds.
Coming into the final Vitality of 1, 50% of the second rounds after losing pistol.
It's not meant to be a 50-50 round.
Players like Zywoo, players like Flames, increase your odds, astronomically.
Back turned, Fury aren't ready, Vitality are walking in.
You're just gonna get to contact play out, no one's watching this.
No one's thinking you've got a goal to do this, the drop down may be heard by Yuri as he puts his attention back out towards the site.
Oh, Mr. Jump.
Now a chance for him to punish.
Molotov even dealing with flames on that swing.
They weren't able to convert on this pistol in the first half, here they've got a 5v3.
And the Zywu backstab changed things.
But now waiting, seeing if he can catch someone moving late to the party, robs, deals with
the first man in.
And the more success these players in the site have, the less pressure on Zywu to get
involved.
Now there's no choice in the matters.
The round falls onto his shoulders.
Oh, they're swinging him, they're giving it fights.
Serato stops him in his tracks.
And again, a last second defuse found for Furia.
Getting by narrowly, but getting by all the same.
Getting a great game out of Uri right now.
He was the one surprise player to go missing against Team Spirit on this very map in that semifinal.
He had nothing going for him.
Could not hold his sight.
It was exploited time and time again.
Still Furia won the map without him. Well now he is the one guy standing true standing tool here for Furia
Trying to believe in this comeback step by step
Hard part done
It's going window but avoid it for the most part Molotoy in danger. He's to get out of here
Oops
All the same, Vitality walk down mid.
They're already ahead of that case, Serato, they're going to close in on him.
Tech 9's breakthrough. Again, Uri might have to put up numbers here.
Trap that towards the sandwich, he's got players all around him.
Nowhere's comfortable, nowhere's safe for Uri, but here he is, scrapping, fighting back,
gets out with his, and Molotov finishes the job.
compare these halves it was clinical for vitality it was clean they weren't
letting kills happen fury are getting out by the skin of their teeth you feel
like one more shot coming in for vitality and these rounds are theirs
terrifying never a chance to breathe here in this CT side now for fury and
their money still hangs in the balance vitality first fall by coming through
Zai Wu you don't see this every day a glass orb a guy who is flying to rifle
when the rounds call for it, he brings it straight into this gun round.
Knows if there's an AWP around there, who's gonna give him the head to head,
gonna give him the fights.
It exists on the other side of the stage in Molodoy.
And he's been besting him time after time in this map.
Gotta be ready, because they're already out here in middle Molodoy.
They're in behind him, and he's still very committed to this lower hold.
Even seeing a player in the apartments, well, that's only going to keep Molotowicz more
wary, more cautious about this lower control.
Super risky.
No one even really spotting mid for Fury.
They're going to start to move closer.
Molotowicz will have to move further.
Perfect.
Nezzy not even looking.
As you get out there, that's the big question, because they've had mid for a while.
They're close to him now.
Now, gonna try and dart through these smokes, but Deltre place is stuck on Apex!
We find some both!
Chaotic in the mid-smokes, and the advantage secured at the hands of the captain.
15 and 10 from the word go. Apex has been a force to be reckoned with in this game.
It can now finally getting something done, leaves it to Spam, connects on his IWU.
Let's see how Fallen fares. Others have tried to fail, but Fallen holds on here at B. God
Hacken versus Apex, who now needs the ace clutch in this one on three.
Out behind the bench.
They know he's in good form.
That needs big forces them forward.
Yikindar shuts it down.
Not Apex's moment to play as the hero.
Three kills from him, three from Mewkinder, but it's Furia who again get out barely.
A barely one round is still a one round, so they sit two behind Team Vitality on this comeback.
Felt like a road to ruin.
After that first half, Furia are still believing so much so it's forced Vitality's first time out.
and the first time you've put them in a position where they felt this pressure all game really
timeout called in trying to get ahead of it have they left it too late this is a
four-round streak out of Furia and even though the rounds have been close right
we haven't been sitting here feeling like they're super comfortable you're on
the edge of your seat throughout them that round count is still going up the
Gap is still closing.
Game is still very much on.
Yuri, the guy
for the CT side right now.
Vitality wants to test it.
Popping into his sight.
He's immediately given up room, leaving this one to a retake.
Looks to be the answer.
for Furia. Maybe this was a possibility. He's going to actually try and play through this smoke.
Oh no!
Furia goes it alone, now a support in from the Akindar. As him and Keisarotto steal that advantage straight back.
Far from comfortable of Vitality. There are a man down here. These smokes will start fading soon.
They've got to get that bomb planted. And all the while, look who's been closing in.
in.
So aware for at least a second.
Harold spotted, full incited.
Daewoo takes him, and Molly's going to force her reposition.
Robs waits for the flash, and it is perfection.
Low health, still vitality excel.
A 3v2, the Furia won nothing to do with these close rounds,
these casualties, they are costly.
Furia throw in the towel.
If they want to buy and they need these guns and vitality know that
Excellent synergy from vitality even just rops waiting that extra second in the Molotov wins the round
Might be returned to the pace.
Like the breakthrough with an A-side set piece playing a little faster than vitality.
This time they set up in the apartments.
They can just break through these defences.
Flash play to open up for your Kindar, gives him a taste of their own medicine, but how
do you get out of here?
Going to deploy that smoke, hope it keeps him alive and it will just barely holding on
as your Kindar.
Now he's a nuisance in this position, but a nuisance they have trapped in a box.
Damage done the other way for Fallen, they are giving chase, trying to come through and
battle for this control.
They'll throw everything but the kitchen sink to clear out this space.
Freeze, okay?
Some chaos has happened, Fury have taken space.
Go watch their back.
Rob's caught, back turned.
Not every day you see that.
3v2, but up against Vitality.
These are deceptively tricky rounds.
Simon Flames topped the charts for vitality.
Maladro has been getting hyper-aggressive.
Now he has to hold on 20 seconds solo in his bombsite.
He has to take one with him,
or at least survive for the post-pod.
Getting nothing here is just what Vitality need.
Late in the day, bomb plant.
Very little time left as those numbers get plugged in
and even though the nade is good, it finds some damage.
Oh no.
You still have the bomb to play around.
There it is.
First kill of the two on three comes through.
Zawoo with the spot, taken down a peg.
Molotov finally taking him in the head-to-head bid.
And you remember Flames.
And this guy has been full of these multi-kills.
This is the clutch that breaks the back of Fury and that puts you in the winning position
on Mirage.
If Flames can pick it up now, this one might be over, the comeback might be thwarted.
In case Serato doesn't know where to look, Flames gonna take it to positioning alone.
Never even had to fight.
That's the fear, that's the doubt, setting in!
And that is just a back-breaking round for Furia!
Yeah, rounds don't carry impact like that, not every time, but taking everyone with him in that 2v4.
And Furia have to figure it out with just a gun here and there
Okay, so also lived so monodoy could play getting out with that orb is something for Furia
But can they stop a vitality on the warpath
That inescapable feeling you've let this one slip
It's your two stars, your star rifler, your star all prodigy, rookie of the year last
year.
Your kind are throwing his name in the ring opening on the deagle as loose
Water one by ones and so they get punished 53 no trades available
Let's see maps get ahead of themselves damaged done to Zai Wu
Oh
Wasn't ready for that
And right when you're ready to write them off an unlikely round win presented
And this might just be a very drawn out save.
I tell you, you're always a team down to make these 2BXs interesting, but you're in no position
to do so.
You don't have the bomb.
Don't have any map controls.
I lose a shot away from death.
And so you've just got to let this one simmer.
I wonder what the core is there, because it was a pace change for Flames to get far short,
perhaps get into ladder, but it's one thing to lose him to this D.Go.
It's another thing for Robson, just walkout ramp, perhaps expecting more control of middle
from Furia, walks into a double setup, close ramp, and it all goes wrong.
And this is just, you know, this is the cleanest round,
Furia have won on this CT side.
Five players still alive at the end of it,
they haven't done that yet.
And so it's not just that the most unlikely wins,
it's their cleanest one, a chance to make a bit of money,
a chance to try and set yourselves up in this half.
It's good to chase IWU that Molly gets in the way,
Furia are fine with it.
Five alive round.
But their map pick hanging in the balance.
Vitality feel like they have to play just to try and match what's saved.
Zai Wu.
Attacked. Polatoid late on the flick. It's Zai Wu to find his opener instead.
Atop the stairs, Yuri dead.
not the player you want to lose Yuri's been the one guy full of these heroic
players who fury it down to get the multi kills down to be a difference maker
that's you are gonna feel the burn of having him be the first to fall in this
round even that I test from all of them not great they're missing that shot they're
gonna push them up with the B apartments and go for an A stack at least
numbers favor fury in this site the vitality are coming in nonetheless
I'll wait for these smokes to fade
But in a moment's time fury will fill the full weight of this exact the full weight of the push
Leave it to Zai Wu to try and get the round started letting him
Entry on that hold there's the spot for flames the eagle trying to get a beat on case the rato can't get past it
But gonna need even more here in case the rato low on health out of the opening danger
Angel saved by a kinder and now still a threat still down to be a nuisance playing interference around this smoke
case the right on what can you really expected to do they've got a boxed into a corner, and that's when the fangs come out
Zangu chase down and finish off
case the right to dancing with death
one bullet from it. And you
kind of doesn't just save his
life. He saves the round in that
case or auto running through
smokes.
And vitality have met their
match here in this grand final
again. It looks like it's going
all the way towards a depth of
regulation. A nine three lead.
Another swing for it here with pistols and perhaps an eight stack.
Dodged.
Seen that one before.
You know there's a lot of numbers in mid on the back of that and you might just look
to try and fight them here.
It's only these pistols to worry about in case they're right when you're kidding, they'll
still look keen.
I'm just going to try and stop this spill over, this flood through the connector, you've
They've had problems containing it before.
Yikindar with one hell of a catch.
That's the flank nearly all dealt with.
Yikindar stops it,
drops it, apex,
sideline,
and now it's a one-round game.
A new credit by Tarty for resilience last year
because so many times they showed us they were down,
but not out.
So many times they came back,
Grand Finals in fifth map. Look at Furia do the same.
Yikinda had one kill on his T side. He is 15 and 15.
The resurgence and recovery from Furia is across the board.
And by Taliti with continual forces forced to save,
now won't even have this AWP into the final buy.
You know, who will have an extra orb floating around there with all this money, with all
these clean rounds.
The professor gets to play his, Fallen brings out the second orb for Furia.
This is an expensive buy.
It's one that Furia like to lean to on this mirage and it's something a little like they
were never going to get to have on the back of a 9.3 half.
But that's what having a second win does for you, that's what getting some of these cleaner
rounds does.
Gives Fallen more options, more to play with.
3-4's out mid here.
Damage done to Zywoo.
Yikinder.
Fearless, continuing to fight up short.
At what point the Fury are cool off, that deep smoke still threatens Vitality.
One of the two orbs, deep on the line, waiting for Mezzi.
The Brit unwavering 5 and 13, not looking to give away this opening kill, he gets that
info.
Sees the AWP.
Having a struggle some game, no interest in taking that fight.
Push has fallen back with a flash, his team out mid.
and you can get involved but of course it's Flames to rip heads off.
It's the perfect tee-up to a round for Vitality. Apex puts them together.
It's real tricky now. Could come down to the double orbs in this retake.
Oh, Molotov has missed that time. Even though it won't matter. You know he's got his back.
And so you lost too. Now it's down to this. This measly effort out through Ramp.
Messi and Flames and Flames barely even alive in this round. He felt like he'd done his part.
He felt like he'd done enough with that double out towards mid. Well, more is being asked for more is required.
Messi does have one right there.
Molotoy with a reposition and it's these two orbs side by side. Molotoy and Fallen.
Different generations. Always ready to try and blow your mind.
But Fallen with a heads up play. Push on through. Shut down.
Fallen fed to the wolves on that smoke push.
Off a molotoy to bask in the glory.
The Torah un-sings his praises.
And Furia come back all the way.
Yeah, you tied the game up, this feat felt impossible.
Now the question becomes, can they finish what they started?
Feels meant to be.
How on earth has Yokinda come back like this?
Again, thrusting himself into middle,
and finding the man advantage against Flames, no less.
Vitality's top performer, their fire starter.
This is when Zai Wu must collect.
Up connector, Molotoy timings and Yuri tucked in in a clearable position.
If Saewoo checks his corners, this could be a punish.
But he waits for his team.
Good check.
Molotoy ain't missing no more.
Feeling some fire in his belly after that clutch in the last.
Finally they'll get round and finally they'll get past him.
Apex and Messi side by side in the Frenchman the unlikely alliance fallen in position could try and shut this one down
Flash to set him up, Messi now dead, Dan can't do it, Kacarov is right through and Fury a move onto that point
This was unthinkable, 9-3, two vitality on the half and Fury had taken it all the way
It wasn't just nine three. It was a flames in fighting form. It was apex carrying his team. It was I will not missing a beat
He was gapping Molodoy round after round
An individual and team-wide resurgence for Furia surges them to map point first and everyone's talking for vitality
Is anyone listening?
I know it's only two players doing a lot of the talking Molotow and Yakindas so maybe
Some sort of aggressive look out of the gate as those are the two problem pieces the two guys down to get in your face
Right off the rip of the round
Okay, so I will right down middle mentality have just been sending it in mid in this T side
And for once your kinder doesn't challenge he rotates
The A side hangs around, Caserato keeping control of the window boost.
Vitality feel like they haven't explored the B bomb side, but they should know that Fallen's
second door is prioritized here, late in the game.
A has done them no favours.
Mid to Sane, Fallen waits.
Listen to his lecture.
The Professor 5E4.
And a miss smoke.
The wheels are coming off.
On the Spitality team, perfection is demanded. They're so used to having it.
When the wheels fall off,
when the nerves start to set in,
It's a rarity to see my talent in this position, but it might be all getting away from them three on five
Moving around with 20 seconds left to make that play
Aside from all the enemies time is working against them as well as Molladoy
Yuri set up to close this here and now and
Robbs might be a clutcher might be their closer, but this one feels impossible
impossible, Nade Reinten and he's so wounded, Fallen finishes what he started.
Coming into this final with a score to settle in this arena.
Furia complete the comeback from 9-3 down, they close it in regulation.
Olin hasn't lost to B05 in a decade, he does not want that to break today!
One's alive!
Ramp!
Dead ramp!
Dead two!
One more!
One more dead!
Oh my god.
I don't know.
We've got them!
Dead!
The game is pretty good at the game right now. I mean we all do but...
Tetris, MG fold. I'm watching Tetris.
I'm watching Tetris. I'm smoking by...
I'm not smoking. I'm going to smoke apps.
They don't have CT I think.
Tetris one.
Are they feeling comfortable now?
He went to... ramp guys on.
You guys on?
You're a go-bench, you're a go-bench!
Rapid low HP.
I pick in.
Undercon.
Big!
Undercon!
One HP!
One HP close!
He's close, he's close.
Con, con.
No one in speed.
One in speed, I think.
Nice guy, take cover.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
It's okay.
Nice guy.
Big one, okay.
Bro, they're low.
I'm gonna get the guy from Robin C.
One on!
Nice.
He's rushing now, rushing now.
Boom!
We left the contact and you can pick both of you.
They're peeking me.
I smoked out.
I'm peeking from the side of the site.
I'm going towards B.
Care for H.
I stay with bomb?
Yeah.
Nice, Mattou, nice to carry him.
That's our bomb.
Can you spawn a bit, Gann?
Just stay fake.
by Yuri, but by Molotoy having some incredible individual moments to preview. This is what
we truly call Arena Counter Strike.
This was incredible in so many ways. This first map had everything. We had the chaos,
we had the clutches, we had the heartbreak, but we simply also just saw teams like playing
an amazing CT side. Specifically, you know, the rollercoaster of emotions coming in from
I tell you, you know, getting everything done in the first half, just feeling that they
were on top, you know, feeling that there was another walk in the pack, but then things
turned south with them on the other half. Furious stepped up and we just saw
clutch time and time again with Molotov specifically stepping up when he really
met on this kid, you know, rookie of the year last year. He does not crumble on that stage.
Life comes at you fast. I mean, if there ever was a tale of two halves in a game,
vitality looked unstoppable in the first half. I mean, not only winning rounds, but
winning them in a dominant fashion. Furia looking flustered, some individuals
missing as well. They didn't look like themselves and then you go into the
second half they win the pistol, convert a couple of rounds shrunk together early on
and then the individual starts waking up, the pressure starts mounting for vitality and in
the end they just couldn't find answers on that T side. Let's dive into that CT side then to start
from vitality, a lot of rounds you could have chosen from but round nine what stood out here?
I think this is a good example of how flustered Furia was right like we were praising them for
being really on point on T side and in this tournament hitting flow state
especially on Mirage right and going to see Moldova he died the tools was I
will a couple of times but fury equalizes it and then some now it's a
four with three situation for them right so they're going to take their time a
little bit wait for some sort of a reaction the fall is going to be three
players to go up connector and Yuri in apps we can see vitality is even sort of
they're stacking B really they don't want to play for the A bomb site they
they're going to save, and it just flames it, tucked in here kind of, if someone tries to boost.
Unfortunately for Furia, they're just fumbling with Nate, and it flames he ends up from a position in which he isn't really trying to do all that much,
finding three kills and sort of vitality out of nowhere, winning around, and it's moments like these where you're like,
wow, that's just like really bad if you're Furia, you know, there's no coordination there.
You can see that they're just talking a lot without kind of covering the basics,
and then you felt that vitality at that point was going to run away with Mirage.
It's really destruction here that I feel like it's hurting Fjord, you know, they do have this
advantage situation, but whenever they go up connected, it feels like who's actually gonna
go first, like who's actually gonna take that space, who actually has the fault to just scale up to
the bombs and to create the space and find out where Flames is hiding. Flames is like,
he just stuck in the corner and he keeps out, gets a second and then also gets the third, but
for the Fjord side, it really painted the picture of a Fjord that was being a little bit too nervous,
being a little bit too structured instead of just playing off that incredible, you know, loose style
that they can also have. And that's how it is when you get to a stage. This is how when you
have so much on the line, you actually want to be fighting. But the thing is, for Fury right here,
they got it back into the game a little bit later. I think also they couldn't find any opening.
They had one opening kill in the pistol round. And that was it. They had 11 rounds. You know,
they were always a man down, obviously, not easy to play from that sort of, from those situations
all the time right but in the end even getting three ended up being enough for
them which is why it's so miraculous when we look into that second half right
and I think we'd be amiss if we didn't mention that molotoy clutch this is
insane absolute balls of steel from him on this stage we're sitting in the
green room and I'm telling machine we're due for a molotoy round right at the
point that they are in that sort of 3v4 situation flames it was been lights out
for vitality this map finds a double but look at vitality I mean this is
It's disjointed, right? Look at the spacing. They're far away from each other's eye when
Robs were the first ones in. Moldova and Yuri with the 1-2 and you're thinking this
is where they have it from lockdown, but maybe some miscommunication, you know, really worried
about the potential lurker. Messages gets a free kill on Yuri, you know, Fallen's coming
in, they have two Robs for the retake, all of a sudden you're worried for them Fallen
with a bit of an interesting play here, but then Moldova just on his own, right, lightning
fast, finds the first round with Messi and then awareness in this last one against Messi
to know that he's probably going to come close, Flash comes in, another incredible reaction
and this really felt like it was the final nail in the coffin for Vitality.
I mean, honestly, I don't think that Vitality did something like super-poor in this round.
I actually think that the approach to the A actually made sense in the fact that they
were playing with the unknown because they had no idea where they were coming.
So they were playing in the unknown, wanted to catch someone, catching them off guard.
I mean, it sort of happens and it sort of worked out the fact is that the model was peaking on stairs
He actually spots a guy below miss well then sets up this guy playing in shadow and the clutch
Yeah, sure Maldoi wins an incredible clutch. The thing is like if I tell he's even stacked together
They know he's gonna go for that stairs fight, right?
But and even with Messi going as you mentioned, yeah go going in type of smoke
Maldoi just had an incredible games
And you know the fact is he hit that really quick no scope or the quick scope
But also the awareness of him knowing that he's gonna be up close absolutely
It's that intangible intuition that comes out time and time again for Mordor and it's simply stunning.
I do just want to touch upon before we talk about map 2, the pressure pendulum and how it swung back to bite vitality.
Ultimately, it was something you were touching upon as a potential warning sign, I guess, in the pre-match, right, DePru?
I really think that the conversion of the Piss Around did some things about tell you, you know, they were like,
okay, now we're back in the groove and everything's fine. The individual was firing at all cylinders.
Every time they went A, Flayncy would get like a triple kill or a quad kill.
And it's always easy when you play counters like if the guy is holding the bombs like he has triple kills or quad kills,
because the rounds are just over, you don't have to think more, you don't have to put the possum together.
And that's just what happened. Every time Fury went for a play, the player that was holding a side would always just get too many multi kills.
And then when they turned into the T side where, as I mentioned, coming into the game as well,
Vitaly hasn't been tested in that specific way, coming to the states in this tournament specifically.
And when you need to come up with answers, when you can feel that the other team is getting mentioned, they're mounting the comeback,
that's why you really gotta earn your money, and that's why it starts becoming really difficult to make the right decision when you're under pressure,
but also to find the right decision for the team when you think you can make it.
And even in the second half, Fury, they were aggressive when it was calls from spawn, right?
Oh, right, we're gonna make this play in B-Apps, take the B-Apps control, we're gonna do this, that.
But in the mid rounds, in some of these 3V2s, 4V3s, they were really passive, you know?
like leaving a bomb site open, player just watching the murder hole for some flank,
you know, and that's something that I wasn't necessarily too happy to see, you know,
you want to be perhaps just a bit more aggressive,
you don't want to give players on Vitality that much space.
It doesn't matter that you're a man up, if you give them too much space,
they can get into good positions, get the bomb down,
and then the pressure is back on you.
But I definitely want to shout out Yuri,
we were talking about him being a rock last time against Vitality,
and a bit of a slower start to the year,
but made it up in spades here on Mirage.
In that A anchor position, you're seeing a lot of action
and just time and time again,
whether it's a kill or a multi-kill or whatever it is,
just had an absolutely stellar game here on Mirage.
It's so important that they had Eurikid going in
because being in anchor is extremely difficult.
But to have a guy in an anchor that you can rely on,
that's even more important also in these big stage games,
but that is where the pressure's gonna come at you
time and time again.
And we've seen that Mordor and Yigindar
and also Fallen having really great games on this stage,
It's good to see a jury decides who.
And jury doing it in the grand final is a perfect timing for a jury to find it.
100%. Let's talk about the second map in this series.
That is Vitality's pick of Inferno, which means Furia choose to start on the CT side of things.
Expectations, what are they setting up for map 2?
Yeah, I'm interested to see, like, we talked about Furia's T side,
knowing the second half and some of the things they tried to exploit last time around.
Is that going to affect Vitality whatsoever, right?
You know, obviously a lot of the focus is on banana in this game,
but Vitality had a good T-side last time around.
That wasn't the problem.
The problem was on the CT side,
they couldn't really get things going
and they were very dominant in the first half.
It's just about you can't allow yourself
to get complacent even for a second, right?
It wasn't just that they were up 9-3,
they were really dominant.
So now you just need to continue that
throughout the whole of 24 rounds at the minimum.
And I think the biggest thing for me
when I look at Vitaly now,
them having to do amount of a comeback in this series,
I look back at the IEM change, you find us,
but they also have, they fumbled that lead on Ancient as well.
It is a lot about the Men's and Reset right now.
The series is still theirs, and it's still there for them to win.
And right now, it really looks like Vitality, they came out swinging,
and then they had a bit of a letdown, and now they have to go back,
because both teams know how to play in front of both teams,
know how to approach it with a couple of adjustments,
but right now it's going to be, it's worried about all the Men's and Reset.
Well, about time to see if Vitality can indeed bounce back.
As we mentioned, a bit of a fumble.
Last time they did face Feria at IEM at Chengdu,
but a chance to turn the tides here.
it's going down also this shall break
It starts with a dream, with a team you barely know, and an amateur official that feels like
the grand final, where practice becomes progress, and every loss feels like a lesson.
and it will your journey begin.
Hey Future Pros!
Over on Inferno today with a handy smoke Bermuda.
To throw the smoke, stand up next to this line.
Aim into the sky above the edge of the roof.
Then simply throw the smoke, a basic but powerful piece of utility, great for taking space on
long or as an addition to pushing a fun short.
I got one quick comment from you about why you dropped that map in the end.
It's unacceptable, honestly, we couldn't trade each time someone died at the beginning of the round after 30 seconds.
I said it a couple of times, but I don't know, it was really bad to decide we deserve to lose.
Next up then, Inferno, a little bit of time to fix it, but this is remittable, right?
These are a couple of things that can be nipped in the bud.
Sorry?
These are just a couple of things, of course you don't have that much time,
but do you think you can get the boys back on track for Inferno?
We have to.
You have to.
Thank you.
Hell of a closing to that first map here, this Grand Final City.
I just got a couple questions, man.
You win both pistols, your own Mirage.
After that CT pistol, a little momentum.
Where did it go for a little bit?
It briefly disappeared.
Yeah, I mean, we knew we had rough start to the game.
I felt like we were kind of warming up
coming to the grand finals.
We know some players can shoot their nerves a little bit.
The game is actually more nervous than normal.
So yeah, we just needed to arm up, I guess.
You guys picked into Mirage, you were limited
to just three T rounds.
I don't imagine that being part of the plan,
but it seems like it came together.
Any thoughts?
They were playing really very well. We went up against them all, honestly.
They were having other reeds and everything, but I mean, we knew our city side was very strong,
that third D-Round was very important for us.
After the conclusion of that map, what is the mental going on in the Vitality's pick up in Ferna?
Ferna is a good map for them. We are good in the map as well.
It's going to come down to game plan. We need to know what they prepared.
If they pick it first, they have something prepared for us.
We need to be ready, and yes, sure, best yes.
Thank you very much. No problem.
What an insane ending to that first map, JL. It's incredible. I'd love to know what you think about both perspectives, but let's start with Furia. What an insane boost they must have gotten.
Oh yes, 100%. The start on T side was not perfect. They had only three rounds and I feel like they played too much team game.
And now it's a best of five when you're supposed to enjoy the game, you're supposed to play the game, interact with each other and that's what they did on the T side and that's what got them to win.
Isn't it so fun to see Molodoy when he's on fire, man?
Oh yes, the 1v2 that kept them in the game. Oh my god.
You were so perfect in that clutch.
It's what dreams were made of, but then for vitality, right?
You're in the driving seat, you're expected to win that map.
Everything is going perfectly. Where did they drop it?
Um, I mean, they dropped it because probably they wanted to win a bit too fast.
They were too eager to take the fights, take the peaks.
And if you're a White House, you don't have to hurry up at all
because you're the better team. Just let the game run.
You'll close it out eventually.
You saw them maybe coming off stage, I talked to the coach and he said like,
this is unacceptable, right? How are they turning this around?
Yeah, take it as unacceptable and just do better in the next game, that's it.
Just do better.
Furia face their fears against Counter-Strike's final boss, 9-3 down, they make Mirage theirs.
This is the closest Fallen has ever been to this trophy, but this is just the beginning.
Vitality have been here before, a map down in a grand final.
Remember Budapest?
Austin this is nothing new 2025's best team best player counter strikes the
best season it's time to see if vitality can bounce back while you can't win or
lose that trophy here in map 2 these are the foundations your entire run and now
built upon will it be vitality leveling out and leveling up or do
Give themselves three huge chances and cross pin the goal
It's time for a funnel
My tauti classic vitality home map rarely see them lose this in the grand finals
But we have seen them lose it to Furia, set up earlier how this is a revenge game for
Vitality, as shocking as that may seem, back to back victories for Furia over this squad.
And a map to the good, some breathing room for the Brazilian international mix.
They on a funnel too, this is a thinking man's map.
where every facet of your game gets challenged,
test your defaults, test your protocols.
And halfway, you need Mollidoy starting in good form, CT side Inferno made for that AWP.
Can't afford to get up to a slow start like they did in map 1.
You're hoping that they're riding the high still, heading into this second map.
the
amble of the pistol already feeling regrettable furia
force those rotations quickly amidst smoke
for one holds onto his and holds onto that b-side vitality uncertain
it set themselves up for this a-hit
you just lucky to still be alive
I don't know if you'd expect Moldodoy to hang around here, but
chomping at the bit of the invitation.
And you've got a very good reason to try and follow through with this A hit now.
There's two kills, it's a low HP Moldodoy trying to fend off the masses,
but you're getting pinched, they're all around you.
Oh, Yuri on those doolies!
Gets the blood boiling, let's see if Ful and can capitalize.
Moving on in, they'll face him together,
and Vitality set the record straight,
coming through with an uppercut in the pistol round.
I like Vitality's T-side pistol. It's a bit common, right?
Just going for the long smoke, taking mid-control,
but back and forth, seeing the reaction.
I think Furia knew what they were up against
based on that B block.
But they still can't stop Vitality,
side by side, strutting into the site.
Forced by out for Furia.
Keep in mind, Vitality got neither pistol back on Mirage.
It's fast and it's over, just like that.
Vitality with very lofty ambitions and with that, you know, we hear from Apex in these
team comms.
He's always very demanding of this team and you know a loss like they just faced on Mirage.
It's going to require a stern talking to, it's going to require the Vitality players
to take a bit of stock here in this final and they can tap into some of that signature
resilience they've displayed so many times over. To be a fly on the wall in that locker room after
map one you just know that they were pissed. That was a huge lead. It was 11-1 opening jewels in
the first half. You had a one kill your kinder, a two kill caseurato. You had Furia right where you
won them. So vitality. Hoping to reset into their map pick but it's quite the third round by hand.
There's something very surprising happening here. Molodoy brings out an AWP in round 3.
That's audacious, I say.
That's after the Force Buy in the last round. They're gonna see just how much they can get away with.
Just know it's not expected. How long does that element of surprise survive?
Oh, rocking that Molodoy actually gives him room. It bounced off his head. Molodoy gets a second chance.
I remember you just don't expect this.
Mades could be huge, they've got a little deep and so Molotoy gets to fire off.
You've learned about the orb now and that throws this whole round into question for Vitality.
There's still mind games here. Does the orb rotate? Does it remain?
If it sticks in the site, we see four strong on a heifer furia, so it's still a gamble.
No matter what you do, Vitality are going into a site blind in this round.
Molotoy could be anywhere by now.
But how about here?
You're thinking he's going to have reposition.
Fire that shot, get out of there, but Molodoy's stuck to his guns on this.
That's the vitality you're going to play right into it. Are you arming them with the option of an AWP?
Or is Molodoy here to tear it all away?
Contact taken at the spawnside first. AWP! Swing and a miss for Molodoy.
Makes up for it the second time round and they're still on a damage done here.
This is far from comfortable for vitality.
Wow, imagine if you found that first shot there, this could have been a huge advantage.
Now it's still up for debate.
It's still a question for Furia on whether they can win it.
Worth trying.
So when low health takes out a better man for the job, Furia really just going to walk
away?
That feels like a waste.
An opportunity presented by your AWP and you don't even try and break the money.
They've got a flank banana at least.
is going to be the question here, the vitality. Can they survive or not anymore?
Two low players you're done for.
That a container, pretty smart move here, thinking big picture, thinking
across the whole series. Remainer of this map, you could earn that all
back right now, you could really sweeten the deal.
They got it. Two of the three survivor guns, look it's decent here for Furia,
could have been the round, but instead just keeping the pressure on early in
this game believing in yet again coming back in round four four by and that new update that
new Molly bounce gives Mollardoy a fighting chance and he looks to be aggressive from
the word go in the next round as well swing out in top mid silenced instead your kindar
He's going to be the one to go bravely first, challenge down through Banana, he's gone out with a lot of damage
and never knowing when to quit, we'll take it one step too far.
You want to say aggressive, well this is the guy you want to talk about, your kindar doesn't know when to stop in Banana.
We saw him on short on that CT side.
This is the guy who is willing to get involved, throw himself into every opening fight.
As a Vitality, this banana control is never going to come for free.
You see a setup. In case Dorato be expected.
Swing trying to set up case Dorato.
How would their latest swing? Will at least get the trade, but now they're coming for him.
And there's Nade to Brutal. They bully the man in the top for Nade.
And they've teed up Vitality for this B-take.
Path of least resistance is the one right in front of them.
Round win off the back of it here Vitality just keep it basic and keep it simple
It's the risk of dying for the car position. If you do so in quick succession the site will always be taken
Vitality don't fall for any tricks clearing out back side putting that bomb down forcing the save of furious round four
And this is one of the more punishing details of Inferno.
If anyone struggles in those heads-up fights, if you're going to give away entries in fighting
for Banana, you can have a half where certain players never get to play.
You're looking at the guys over towards the A site, Yuri having yet another save through
his name early on in this game.
getting to keep those hands warm, not getting to have any say in how the
rounds play out. They're being won and lost in these banana fights right now and
it's a lot of losing for Furia. Shocking he can't even get that second kill
Zai Wu with high impact to stop a 5v3 coming in. For Furia. And great
reaction there from Apex, double nading on Keisar Auto's position.
Vitality right at home right now on this T-side, 4-0 lead,
Volodoy again tries to get involved, but clearly they want to stop it.
Side-woo, battles back in Banana, Fallen reflash, chaos ensues.
I don't think you're going to expect this.
If it's your Kindle still alive, you're worried about him getting aggressive.
Fallen versus Apex.
Smoke fades, Apex hits a blinder.
Quick flink.
Fully didn't know what hit him. They still have a bit of ability to contest this banana,
with K-Sirata floating around as the third piece.
It's just still a scary round for Vitality with no banana control, and just seeing a player peek
harder, you know it's a 2-1 setup, you know the AWP should be A, but you've also got two low players.
And Furious still keep you guessing.
He's just operating in the quiet right now for vitality.
Trying to use the fear of this 4 on 3 against Fury, hoping they overthink it, but Molledoy
is in the right place, he's even got support, Yuri down there in the pit.
These guys have been waiting all game for a chance at the action.
And they're going to thrive when asked to demand to be stepping up here, Uri with the cover.
And that crossfire is a thing of beauty.
Apex getting some frustration across this series from the captain here in Vitality
because they know again they walked right into the hand of Furia in the downtime.
Misread.
Oh, do I make magic happen?
Given Uri, simply done.
See there, why's that tally even looking to dodge this A side of the map?
Oh, Molledoy tried his hand at a peak down middle, Zai Wu, this time waiting for the
challenge. Not something they've had to worry about yet, they're sort of making an appearance
now and boy, did they learn about it the hard way.
They know, they don't want to give fury time to think and to get players in position, they're
just going to jump on this entry, they know it's two players.
Kisarato dead on the long side, Yuri, you've got a lot to do in this round and no room at 2 manoeuvres.
beautifully done.
Clean finish and at the first turn of the Zywu warp on this T side, it finds immediate impact.
And you'd be surprised right back to back mid-peaks for Molotov.
He is clearly trying to get involved early in this game.
And Vytanti has just been Molotov-ing middle. This time they don't need to.
I'll tell you, I've already said a bit of a tone, right?
If they get given these openers, if they get given the entries, they're going to follow
through with a real pace behind it.
That's something that Apex could look to use against Fury later on in this first half.
But for now, the going's good, and wherever these openers are provided, it's often where
the rounds are just ending up for vitality.
They're not overthinking this.
Faith that with greater numbers and better openings, I'll get through this first half
unscathed.
Well, experience definitely matters in a position like Banana, so having fallen here is integral.
and aggression all the same, Yukinda deposits himself down bottom B, Fallen trying to assist.
Vitality feigning something in middle, but it's all about this banana retake.
Are we gonna see a commitment on the crossfire for two?
Kasurato baiting for them, Molly just enough!
Come on Yukinda, still! Good for the kill, Fallen's played his cards too!
They're aware of the double push, but now they've got to deal with it.
Hard crossfire to get through. Apex can't brave it.
Has Flamesman to fair.
Two guns here ready to go against him, and they're getting mauled as they try and retake Banana.
It's a lazy clear of anything for Vitality, just walking into it.
I think they kept feeling like Furia were going to back out of that setup.
KSorato providing cover through the smoke.
Never once did Furia try to leave.
And so three kills from Yukinda as they just go stumbling into the crossfire
and force another save that's right Tor on load your booze
getting our five alive no small feet here and he makes their future saves
more impactful means you get to keep the pressure on, keep these buy rounds coming through.
And I can't see it, it's break the money of Vitality.
This is a real swing round coming up.
Just an unorthodox setup there for Furia, bringing some new ideas to this final.
Certainly caught by Vitality by surprise, can they keep it up?
even with a lead right now, vitality looking stressed
Guys I need you to listen to me, okay?
Everything what I'm saying
Listen to everything what I'm saying and do everything what I'm saying, okay?
Don't do anything, don't overthink and just listen to my calls
I know exactly how they play, and what they're doing
Iqinda
The Ideas man right now on the CT side
He's promised them he knows the way
He's promised them he has the key
You cannot provide another opening here in this skirmish full banana
Bit of insight there as to how the second brain at the heart of this furious squad operates
Right now it's you cannot call in the shots
It looks to have rallied the troops you find yourselves in a five on three
How much does you kind of truly understand the inner workings of vitality
do they see this push coming he was ready for it but apex lands the shot now
wrapping chance to get him behind fallen who will deny that space down to a
retake here as the site's conceded but advantage lying with furia in spite of
this bomb plant
oh quick catch from Zywoo before the flash blooms came in flames both so low
but the same can be said for furia as they try and strangle this site hold
and he's going to be the first
to be able to get the ball.
The guy who follows up to be
for brewing backside for flames
lines up the spread. He sees
fallen as well. It's flames this
round today. Team Vitality take
it from significant
disadvantage. Every kill counts.
in this vitality score, what he's been doing,
all tournament long.
He has been on an absolute heater,
started off Mirage in fantastic fashion,
keeping up appearances now.
I mean, this is a star studded team.
And Flames is a massive part of that.
Yeah, I even mentioned coming into last map, right?
How all three firepower players of vitality
putting up better performances than last year
when they took the trophy, that's coming into a grand final.
We'll see if it keeps up.
Certainly a good sign though.
From Flames.
6-2, and even though they win the round, Vitality
need another to ensure their economy.
So much fighting in banana in this CT side, Furio will finally opt against it.
I mean this is why that last fall-less rifle round for Furio mattered so much.
It's allowed them to keep the game competitive at least, right?
Not rolling over and dying, not just playing with pistols here.
You get another 4-by on the cards and that chance to reset by Tal.
He hasn't really gone away.
You could still do it here and now.
be an earshot of a strong CT side.
These opening fights have mattered a hell of a lot, and again, Zai Wu gonna offer one up for vitality.
It's not really much of a tricky move, although you should know that's coming.
Young player Eager to put his orb to use, but here on Inferno you've got to pick your battles and pick them wisely.
by a Zai Wu and a 5E4 for Vitality to go wherever they want.
Wrapping towards this A site, Kcerato and Yuri, they really have their work cut out for them.
They're getting surrounded right now.
Contact taken first by Yuri up in the apartments, that allows the spam to come through.
Now they've learned about Kcerato down here in the pit.
Time is super low, Keisaroto.
Kling it on, check the nail.
Fulham, oh no.
He's his life and Tywoo's now missing.
It's not the time for it.
Just has time to plug in the numbers.
Fulham's playing ahead of this, trying to shut it down.
And that's giving him a chance.
Rikinda takes it away.
But that gets so uncomfortably close.
It is by the fittest of all margins that Furia
Find another CT round!
Almost a Zai Wu highlight to steal another round for vitality, strong T-side.
A 2v4 right into that.
Zai Wu, pin point, but still not enough.
It's your kinder shutting him up and Furia still dangling in this second map.
Nice try, but not quite.
Here's the money break we were talking about there, right?
Vitaliy have actually thrown cash into this. They've gone for a forced buy.
You don't just want this to be a pretty decent T-Half. You want it to be fantastic.
And so they've risked it all on giving Zaihu a hero gun.
They've got plenty to play with.
And they'll need their star.
Try and kick things off with a bang.
His shot from Moldedoi up in the apartments.
Looking a little twitchy there at the door on the robbs.
For a guy who gets a lot of shots in rounds on the CT side,
Molotov is having trouble doing so right now.
Vitality doing a good job, encountering him.
They've shut down his mid aggression.
Zywu besting him in the head to head.
It's feeling like a tricky game for Molotov.
Down in the pit, on an A-hit, could be where he delivers.
Yuri just shreds flames through the smoke.
And as Apex goes back to line-up utility,
it dins Vitality's numbers furthermore.
They have to go, Zywu has to do it.
All the way with the swing and a miss, blind on that shot from the pit and now they're closing the distance on these pistols.
Support in though in the form of this stack, still breaking through his vitality.
Was he?
I'm planted.
And your Kindar elects not to play, he's going to wait for Fallen.
Coming through on the fate of the smoke, Siwu gets the spot off your Kindar, he's got his number.
This shot for Robs down in the pit and now they're closing in.
Right there as you're kidding out.
And he's leveled the bold claim that he knows how this Vitality squad think.
He knows how they play.
Well, he was the fourth man in total, in an A-stack, to shut down Vitality.
Yeah, right now it feels hard to doubt it.
He's been in all the right positions, right?
He's able to get a couple of multi-kills.
He's been aggressive in Bernardo when needed.
And that little walk through the smoke, that timing is perfection.
Perfections, I didn't even see him trying to re-block long with the Molotov, and your kinder just catches him off guard
Such a naughty play for your kinder. Fury are winning rounds clinching right now
But looking to come back into this CT side
On a game that was 5-1
Again the Molotovs have minimal impact
Fury are still here and fighting.
In the beginning of this game, it was all about the banana control, fights that your Kindar just couldn't win out.
Well, he's going in here playing up at the front against the pistols, flashed in by his T, T and throwing through a loop.
Can't get away with a kill. Fallen had to clean up and from downtown, I've fallen!
Lay waste to Banana!
Can it really be another late in the day recovery from Furia?
This feels like such a frustrating game for Vitality, only now do they call their first time out, but it feels long overdue.
Reignited by a cheeky 2v4 nappy bombsite, but otherwise, it's been quite the recovery arc here for Furia.
Doing it by committee.
Everyone getting their one.
It feels like your kinder has never truly been caught off guard.
Yes, okay, a missed shot there, but the setup is perfect.
Three players from Fury to reswing and re-nade that corner.
Vitality getting thrown through a loop.
The way pegs trying to send a bit of a message here.
Aggressive in the top and on, a bit of frequent sight at these heads versus your Kindar.
Teed up with a flashback, he'll take Fallen down, but Carl Russell with the Kindar for
this control.
Get out of there.
more round to play.
Molotov lucky to be alive.
That minimum right? Yeah, he's the early warning system on that deep line in the apartments.
He even heard the steps out in mid and he might get aggressive here.
This is a very Molotov move to make.
brings the fight to vitality.
Waps can't look, he has to play the package, his team have gone through the long smoke.
And there's the spot from Yuri, he's able to tell Molotov, they're coming for you,
they're looking for you, so Molotov gets the gun on in time, still iced out,
Zayu going to get past him. And now Yuri down here in the pit, sandwiched on both sides,
by Stav, and Kcerano, open a combine, they're just going to stop this man,
and Zai Lu, not an easy one to get past, seals the deal on a strong half for
vitality, breaking that furious streak in the final round of the first half.
After letting a mirage get away from them, we set Vitality to have resilience in abundance here.
They had to go back to the locker room in between games and figure out how to break through,
ready themselves for the tall task ahead while the star of Zai Wu is shining bright.
Played out of his mind to open up Inferno 16 and 7, a clutch in the final round to win out the half of Vitality
and stop the furious streak.
had nearly had a couple more in there as well, but Furia do give birth to a five round CT side,
ideas flowing from your kinder, but not necessarily all the rounds. Furia are going to have to earn
it on their offense, Fallen takes the wheel again. That's what Halibut's spot out here in middle for
Zywoo. And he might give Robbs a bit more freedom, feeling like he can play it forward,
right now their total vision is not a shot mid-fight.
Oh, he's missing the opportunity!
No way!
He loses on that fight!
Messi now under pressure over on the long side again.
He left looking to Zywoo.
They're all missing.
They're all whiffing.
Flames recovers a kill.
Zywoo hiding out in plain sight.
Dangerous.
Caster Watto left alone.
And Zywoo has saved them yet again.
I'm HP.
It's just telling yourself, no one give him a clean fight.
We face him together. We can take him down a peg one bullet will do it. It's good smoke, but
Frank is coming in
Spam to the side in the pistol
No doubting Zai Wu's contributions to map two of this grand final you need him to be a superstar
Right, this is number one player of 2025 and of course with ample criticism of donk besting him
individually, statistically, when it comes down to it,
the best player in the best team and the best season,
as I will right now, playing with the ego desired.
Playing like Vitality deserve.
Just because Zai Wu has superstar teammates able to perform in their roles to the highest level,
I can't take away from what this guy can do on the biggest stages in these grand finals that he did all year.
Sometimes, Katowice felt like a curse to him, finally broken in our final outing there and
And here in Krakow, same trophy to take, same title to defend, if I tell it to get Mirage
out of their mind.
Transfer another Flames, Molly kill it so we need it anymore, we'll only get out with
one hold on the Molotoy Eagle!
It's broken through this B defense!
But it's not meant to happen.
This was around that Furia took their time in, they were talking about the rifle round in front of them, but here, Molotovic makes things interesting.
He was suddenly in a position to fight hard and fight for the win in round two.
Not even a four-spy, four Furia, that one deagle is all they had to work with.
It's a big smoke.
Oh, that's a better spray.
Closing it now, you get that first kill, you try and move quickly.
Time quickly turning against Vitality, can Molotovic take any more win and no.
Breathing a little easier.
It's a kitless retake as well.
And it came down to a second.
But a round's around and Vitality's counter ticking up now in this second half.
Seven rounds each side, converting that pistol into a full-by from Furia.
It's get going or get gone on Inferno. That third map is nuke.
He's been on the rules for a commonplace all throughout the first half and I don't think Fury are in it.
Giving mood to not go and fight for this position again.
They've spotted Apex up close.
3 players here, playing a contain. Fumbling the boosts, fumbling those early peeks, and
they will come to pay the price for it. Flames offered up on a silver platter.
You understand why Vitality want to fight this position? If you give Fury a banana, they
are very good at just hitting double Molly BXX.
The other thing I'll say is, even though we're all impressed by what Zywoo's bought to the
table here, this is a very top-heavy scoreboard for Vitality. A team that usually win on the
quality of all their individuals, everyone shining through in specific moments.
So being clutch is nice, but you're going to depend on multiple players in this half
if you're going to hold it down, right?
Rob's sorry, we saw him with the pistol, Mezzi 5-9.
These are exploitable pieces for Furia, and they look to try and find that.
Good catch for Rob's.
Now here's this mid-take coming in, going to try and block it, plays up close, SMG getting
away with murder.
They'll play through, but he's got to bomb at his feet.
And now the rotate's starting to come through for Vitality very, very quickly.
This net is closing on you in top middle.
You needed that kill to break through.
For as much time as he possibly could.
Look at this position from Molotov.
He's taking an aggressive streak up behind enemy lines ahead of that retake.
He's just not afraid to get involved, is he?
Should expect some fear from a young player.
for the Torren shots his name and he gets the swing kill to force the save
this is a sixth round for Furia
no kits just damage here for Zywoo
That's what they're fighting for. The oldest trophy in Counter-Strike. One that has always
been so demanding.
Oh no, is that miscombo? They're trying to boost there. The flames are jumping on Apex
and not getting the crouch.
Amazing the rounds are can frustrate.
This one's starting to feel a bit like Old Vitaly.
You're needing a massive performance from Saewoo,
and even then it doesn't guarantee you the success.
One of two things feels like it needs to happen.
Saewoo's just going to keep delivering in clutches,
keep winning you unwinnable rounds.
You're going to need the rest of his team to step up
filling the gaps. It was a big double from Robster and what has been a pretty quiet map
from him, but not even that proved to be enough.
You can sometimes feel the pressure in these games where only one guy is really stepping
up. It's not how we might start feeling a bit of pressure to go for more opening fights
to try and force those engagements.
Yeah, that's it's off, so we'll keep the final details of the pie to ourselves, but...
to talk big picture.
A trophy you just mentioned.
We get one of two things today. We get fallen
ten years on from his last winter championship grand final
against Fnatic on a holy run of their own
or you get his 13
win streak in best of fives broken.
One way or another, this game will be remembered.
So my talent, you hoping to join that very exclusive club of teams who have taken this
trophy back to back?
Spirit couldn't.
And yeah, the scoreboard does worry me a little bit, but it's not like this is an uncomfortable
map here for vitality.
They have the reps, they have the range, they certainly have the players.
Can they perform and can they close from this lead?
So we'll be talking about how you might be feeling that burden to try and be involved a bit more early in these rounds.
Feeling like he's the only consistent point of output while he tried his hand at the opening pick there.
He actually fallen the way of Robs.
Flames even with aggression all the way through the apartment.
All the way just creeping underneath him.
But now, sports that player deep down mid.
That's where Flames is meant to hit is the one-two punch.
Fallen can't save him in time.
It's now you've lost the bomb out here in mid integral cover there for fallout
Just to get the bomb back to stop that gun getting picked up flames wanted to drop in there to get away with everything
This round is still live gotta be cautious
It's up here in the top of middle and that all drops the bomb again
You can have it back, but you still want to get through the wound one B2 in this site
So I will hear some coming, every advantage to play with, Remis might not happen twice,
he's got support as well, he kind of doesn't feel the freedom of a bomb plant, they'll
close in on him.
As I was playing like he is the best player in the server and that might be because he
is dropping into the pit, no teammates to support, just taking that heads up fight,
He needs to be that difference maker right now for Team Vitality and it's 23 and 8.
Another round closer for Zywoo.
Hard to doubt a move he makes.
Vitality on the road to ruin furious dreams.
So take back their map in this B05.
One gun.
I had those molotov entries in their Deagle round.
You're hoping he can run it back now with the rifle?
Oh no!
K-Pax nearly caught it off with timing, but in the end, looks good to prevail as more players make their way over for Vitality.
This beat-pump wrecked!
Four out of flames, can't complain here for Team Vitality.
Consider how caught off guard they are.
Clean's house.
and burns the bodies. Time out here for Furia and that is all gone.
They're going to embark on a comeback. There is no slowing the roll on this T side. It is now or it is never.
You've got to say, even with these slower players, he's quiet to members of Vitality.
For them to sit in this goal line is reassuring in a different way.
Winning rounds off objective, winning rounds from disadvantage, coming up with clutches.
Safe to say, it feels like Vitality's game.
Maybe here in this round that you talk about where you kind of have to stake your claim to Inferno if you're fury,
you don't love what you're coming into it with, you put a bit of cash into our last round.
round and the hero gun for Mordoroy leaves you with less to work with here.
You will get away with this fast banana control that's been given to you by Vitality.
That's a Furia going for a bit of a default here trying to leave their options open.
Two players going scouting their way through the apartments just to leave that backup option.
in a plan B in the tank for Furia.
This would be a very frustrating time for Vitality
to go about retaking banana control
right as you've given it up.
That's looking like what they're doing.
Moves made to go and take this space back.
Oh!
Oh, not so good.
Look at him get out! The Akimda, important opener!
Stop that check. Apex now just has to buy time.
Zaru's on his way over but he won't last long.
How do you beat that?
Zaru next on the scene. This op has been such a problem! It's hitting so hard!
Robbs finds another on the span. They're all getting cut down as they cross in.
3v5 in a blink of an eye. Down to an advantage for Vitality. This is Matt's point on the line.
Look at that with a bomb plant.
you never get a lot of time to feel comfortable here. Vitality right there.
Hand on your throat ready to snap the life out from the fallen.
Cacerato they'll combine and leave it on to Nezzi they've got the space they've
got the room tap on that bomb forces one fight and Cacerato save parents.
I'm glad Furia do something in that two on three. That was getting out of control
That was two clean entries into the B bombsite for your kinder and still vitality put a position to succeed
Big catches through the smoke
But Furia push forward in that post bar. They don't just sit back and let vitality play what we know to be often a perfect retake
Furia come to them
Find their second round of this T side.
Baby steps in the right direction.
And Manny, still a question between Vitality.
Can it be broken?
Zywu says no.
It's something the first time you've seen Vitality on the ropes
to open up a final.
This is where Furia, they could try it.
Apart from that, actually offering a challenge in map 2.
Yeah, if they take this round, Furia are back in the conversation
back in with a huge chance to steal away this map. They are a very momentum-based team.
We saw what that snowball looked like on the second half of Mirage.
Vitality just could not catch a break. So Camp Furia smashed that money into oblivion.
Coming through, Zywu might be low, but he's always good for the multi-kill, even hanging around.
Puree are making it in, but a man down.
And now Flash play through that smoke.
Rapidly, this is going to start getting away from you.
Robbs on the top, now Molotoy's hit a blinder.
And these two orbs may have to clash to decide the outcome of this all-important round.
Molotoy tries to plug in the numbers.
Zai Wu in no position to play, not yet.
Through the smoke, first contact taken, it's Flames out in the open.
open. Dink on a Molodoy. Can he finish the job? There's no support from Yuri. You're
in this all alone, Molodoy. And then come to the end. Vitality, get on to my point.
Misses, you will not forget, anytime soon, Molodoy. Multiple shots, multiple chances.
What a player we've seen struggle in those positions.
And Zywul is taking the cake in this game.
Ever present AWP.
In what is a 2v4 attempt to Furia and getting, pulling it back to their favour,
Vitality just rip it out of their hands.
Flames the saviour of this CT side. He has had so many multi-kills.
Vitaly, no, this is the time to close this map.
You're not going to get an easier chance to walk this one home, walk it over the line
in Taiwu, open and leave an impression right away, aggression now towards Topinana, we'll
get fought by that Util.
Fury might get the space, but aren't they giving the room?
There are 16 multi-kills between Flamesee and Taiwu, there are two between the rest
of Vitality.
This is a two-man army and it's enough.
But right now this B site has only one.
The heart beats.
Asphuria set up.
A final swing for Inferno.
You know, this push is either salvation or your last round on this map.
You've got to get past Flames. He's been in his element all day.
These chaotic fights where it's a scrap, it's a scramble.
Oh no! What?
A reload, your Kindar chases him down.
And they've lost the sight. They've lost it decisively at that.
You could have got that, man. Switched to the pistol. Your kinder was whiffing.
Went back on the AK.
You really just commit to the save. You're so out of position here.
What can you do? You don't want to give them an AWP. You don't want to give them anything.
They've come in with pistols.
That's the easiest round, Vitalik. You're gonna get on their way to close out
this map. Next one's harder, next one has guns, next one has everything Fury
you need. Yeah surprises he flames fall in that position right just as we're
team him up.
More chances here for Vitality to finish what they've started. Four rounds to
close this game.
X-Tas keeping them calm.
I can see about one fumble from Flames in what has been a flawless series.
Has left the door open into a furia comeback.
It's a little more cautious, not going to leave into some mad dash up through Banana.
I wouldn't be so sure.
The kinder here.
But not over-invested.
wasted Molly.
Flames must replenish.
Inferior, look right there, they've got something set on this A site.
Molotoy, second holding Nades.
You can't get to the polyp hollow-gloy, and now, looks to push back this B-hold, and she
back into an A-play, and it's hardly pushed into their bomb site.
So I will get a chance to swing for the finish.
Block here. You didn't have a lot of Utah coming into this round. It's a vitality. In fact, they've held on to it so long.
There's the spot on the smoke.
Bullen never gets the chance to play a very important trade for your Kindar.
Gonna make a dash out towards the spawn.
Oh, your Kindar had an inkling, had a feeling. Apex still gonna best him.
And so this is it. There's no second chances. There's no plan B.
Furia have to just play with what they've got. It's a play out in a war to this A site, into the crossfires.
Vitality looking to wrap this one up right now and they collapse upon Furia.
There's the resurgence, there's the resilience.
Vitality having it in spades.
Zai Wu playing out of his mind.
The star of Vitality shining bright.
And what foundations to build this final upon.
Both teams are mapped to the good.
CT!
They went to your works!
I got the green for you.
I got the red.
I got the green!
I don't have the green!
I got the green!
I got the green smoke.
I got the green CT.
I got the green smoke.
Smoke in there.
Smoke CT.
You follow them, Matti.
I got the smoke.
Red middle, one. One must be under there.
Down to the garden.
I'll leave you.
I'm in the middle.
I can't have the boat.
One mid.
Two pushing short.
Earth chart.
The missile hit first.
Right there.
One left.
No!
One in three.
Coffee's over.
I think I'm top
I'm top here guys
I watch the city
I'm short guys
It's all, it's all
They're gonna go top, I'm on CT
I think CT is behind me
One, two, three, peeking.
One more.
Profit!
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
I push here, you'll be safe.
Yeah, I'm flashing that side of peek.
Go.
Ah!
Save me.
Ah!
Let's win!
I got out.
Let's win!
Vitality stabilised and the possibility of a Furia comeback denied. A much needed recovery
and a very welcome performance from Zayu. 27 kills in 21 rounds, 9 multi-kill Janko.
Anyone's in for a bad time if you go head to head versus that.
Absolutely unsolvable for Furia on this map, I mean, whenever his team needed something Zywoo came through and delivered, especially in that first half, right, he was an absolute menace to deal with and reminded everyone why he's the best player in the world.
He was everywhere, that's the thing, he was A, he was B, he was towards mid. Every time he would also be in the XBX situations, he would be the one to find that opening and they were afraid of going at him.
You know, you can see the hesitation from the Furious side, but one thing is going against IwU when he's playing like this.
Oh, sorry, like the IwU in general, but good love against him when he plays like this.
That is why it gets very dangerous.
Do you have any memories of playing on big stages with him where he just takes it up that notch and is wanting to humble his opponent?
Pretty much every time.
Let's drive on into it then. Round 8, the stars indeed features IwU.
Alongside Flamesy, what was happening here?
I think it was problematic for Furia, these rounds with advantages early on.
Even in the first gun round, you know, Molo, they pulled out that AWP in round number three, right?
Like, they had some good opportunities to reset Vitality early on.
And in this round as well, we heard the kinder talk about,
I know exactly what they're doing, I know how they're playing,
and they were able to find another two-man advantage in this round,
but then Apex with a bit of a crazy play.
But this is a misplay to some extent from Furia, that she's allowed to go through the smoke,
Fallen doesn't sort of fold it from coffins initially, a kinder dies.
Fallen equalizes, but then in the 4v2, just a bit of miscommunication, Yuri too early here, flash pops now.
If he just waited for the flash, or maybe the player was delayed throwing the flash,
but that really is the first domino to fall.
You can see now K Serato and Fallen on low HP, Molotov with the AWP,
maybe shouldn't play first in this situation, and in the end in the 1v2, Flameseek,
who's had a great finals so far, steps up in another crucial round,
where Vitality was a little bit in reset territory and they were able to pull out a 3v5 win.
On the furious side, this was not the only isolated case where Fjord would have rounds,
they would fumble, or having a timeline string and things together and so forth.
Fjord had both some situations throughout the game where they could have went on to have a lead,
they could have built some bank, they could have played decisions correctly.
A round like 4v2 comes down to the small details and Vitality is like,
if you allow them to have these type of situations and you don't give them the respect and you play
missed play. That is where it gets a little bit dangerous and it was good to see also that
now that Saibou gets some help right, Flamesy probably wants to stay now helping him the most,
the rest of the team looking a little bit flat but a really great clutch. Not a lot of help,
to be honest there. We talked about Robson when he continues to have a quiet series, had that
moment or two in the second half right but uncharacteristic for him so if ever Saibou needed
to step up, it was on this map. Flamesy had the clutch, but again, not too crazy, you know,
it's just been the others doing just enough, but it's been the Zybu show on Inferno.
What are you deciding that last time around in Chengdu, Rops also didn't have a great time,
right? Is there something in the water for him versus Ferriero?
I don't know, I don't know if it's maybe Furia's style that doesn't suit him,
or maybe they're switching things up. I'm not exactly sure, but you also feel that over the
course of a best of five this can't keep happening like sooner or later he's going to
wake up and really contribute on a level that we know he can't. Yeah he needs to warm up you know
but you know he's running out of time of into like at one point you know the series gonna be over and
what's happening they need their second star more than ever and I think that he was he was in
some sense lucky that that flames he had the backup power to help Saibou clutch this one out and
Robster seems to be thinking like he's the kind of things that you know he's very cautious he's
He's had this great overview, but it just seems like he's maybe thinking a little bit too much this year
So let's dive into that second half there now. We see a little bit of a cheeky CT play from Vitality
What were you observing here to pre I think this round is also off the bat from a technical standpoint
They just had a technical timeout and you know these call this type of aggressive round where we have miss it going all the way down
The bench luckily from from messy here is ropes who actually gets to kill which means that miss is now unknown and that gives them a huge
advantage inside the round. Fiora is still working the way up banana and Flamesee he knows that he can
actually pound off of this thing and he actually gets the trade off again, gets traded and then
we go into the 3v3 situation where this is again showcasing why Zawoo is so feared and so good.
He knows that two players are still stuck down banana and now he's looking to find that punishment.
It's actually Fiora that's going to come from segment now to try and get that frag but he knows
that he's isolated him. When it gets this kill it's all about Zawoo falling back you know you can
see how scared Jekyll and I is actually going back and so who decides to go into
horse you know he can isolate his tools here does miss a shot here on to shot but
at this point they are so aware of him that actually allows the guy coming out
of Liberia to actually end up getting getting the kill and from the
communication we have the communication state that we actually got before
hitting into the into the break we could hear how much Messi was talking and
this is that talk that is so important that what what makes my title is so good
as well is that they will always contribute regardless if they're in the
round or not they will always help the team and it just helps them string the
because they have the old view.
So it's something that we don't get to see much of
because it's like hidden inside the details.
That's where the focus is on as well.
If you're having a bad day on the server,
I mean you can help in other ways, right?
You can help with communication if you're dead.
And just the game sense from Zybel falling back
to go to apartments, right?
Like you can stay alive there for longer,
still be a nuisance, you're buying time for your teammates
to rotate in and sort of secure the round.
Yeah, we can roll the Zybel in highlights.
We always shoot when he has a game like this.
Was he ever a player that could get affected by a slow start, let's say?
Do you feel like he's a typical confidence player or is he more cerebral within himself?
I think what stands out for him is that, of course, I think all players can thrive under pressure,
but also when they get into a situation where they don't really feel the confidence.
But some players, they need to have like crazy actions to actually get back inside the game
where he just needs to have a couple of rounds where he's feeling like he has the right reason.
The thing is when he actually gets to this point, when he's playing this well,
this world he becomes almost unstoppable and he's not going to slow down the
entire series it's like he's already set the power he's already set the pace of
how good he's going to be so for the next map to come he's going to be this
nuisance again he's going to keep going through the pot of frags he's got the
right grid and he's going to ship that fear factor into Fiora even more I
think we're seeing a bit of a there's a significant shift compared to their
series from Chengdu right where Fiora had really strong T sides throughout here
It's been a bit of a struggle on on T side obviously on mirage only the two gun rounds and she run inferno
You know they couldn't get momentum until it was really too late
So they'll have to find some answers seeing as the next map is new
They're going to have to start on the T side
You know, I don't think they can count on winning this final
But by having 10 rounds on CT side like they did on mirage
Yeah, tell me a bit about your perspective coming into new because a Yanco said three of choosing this ground
So they will have to start on that T side
Do you think that's going to be a hard challenge for them to get out ahead of?
Well, we saw what happened yesterday, right?
They came off the bat from a really good get-go.
And I think that this is a must win for Fiora.
I mean, that's just how it is.
I think if Fiora doesn't clinch Nougat, I think it's going to be extremely possible,
hard for like the remainder of the games.
I think that Fiora, you know, even though they were surprised yesterday playing it,
I think that they are now in a position where they are just playing off confidence on the map.
I don't think they have to go and dig deep to find like big plays in terms of like the tactical
I think it's more about just playing other rounds with the U that you can have worked that space towards secret and then string
Other rounds because that is where sometimes I'll tell you they can have their issues
And I think few has already proved multiple times through this been that they haven't been strongly
And now they're just they just need to get that confidence back since we have recently didn't sound like that
Then a fool and came up here, right? We weren't expecting it. Yes, necessarily to be going to nuke
So where do you think the confidence levels up for them? Well, I think they're fine
The the issue is also yesterday. They won a lot of clutches
I mean, they were winning, you know, there was a fall in the Kinder 2 before,
there were some MOLODOY rounds in there, it's not like they just outplayed the spirit completely tactically,
it's more like they just on an individual level were better.
I wonder if Rops's performance is gonna play any part in how they decide to approach their T side, right?
Because usually he's such a rock towards that ramp area.
And the thing about Rops that was really annoying when you play against him is,
he seems to always know when he can leave ramp and help quite outside,
and when he should stick on ramp and sort of they're just faking outside presence and they're gonna come his way
So he really can help a lot apex and I will be some of those outside fight
So I wonder what viewers approach is going to be to that
They're going to try to sort of lure him away take ramp space or maybe focus on something else
Only time will indeed tell and it is time for us to be going to a break vitality and for rare now sitting at one
One lap apiece in this best of five grand final new will decide who claws an inch closer
to the trophy here in Krakow.
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I'm gonna try again.
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It starts with a dream,
with a team you barely know,
in an amateur official that feels like the grand final,
where practice becomes progress
and every loss feels like a lesson.
When will your journey begin?
An OP IGL hasn't won a Major since 2016.
In a time of simple,
Xayvoo, now monasy,
it will not happen again.
I will make you better or better.
They will not be afraid of this lifestyle until they understand it.
And they will not understand it until they meet with me.
Could be Katta, Shroff.
Okay, then, we're done.
James, the Adiva, in the ring out!
Are you telling me that if they make playoffs, there's a chance they could destroy the entire crowd?
Now I am becoming the destroyer of crowds.
We're all squared up here in Vitality, they struck back, let's talk a little bit jail
about how communication must have been like and how it generally is when things get so
hectic.
I mean, when it gets hectic, I feel like you lose a lot of the important communication
but what's most important for me is to not lose communication, I much rather have it
be hectic, be chaotic, but you still have to communicate, you have to say what you're
doing, you have to say what you have to do.
And yeah.
Yeah, we saw a snippet from Ykin there there.
It was of course the losing map for Furia, but he kept trying to keep people focused
that they weren't tilting.
He also was calling a lot in that map.
That's an interesting situation, right, that you have of course Fallen who does a lot of
the legwork, but Ykin there also.
Yeah, I mean, someone has to take control of the game.
The Fallen cannot be the only one that's leading the troops because the Echondar is in very
important positions like banana and inferno so he has to take that role and
somebody has to take control of the spirits and to keep people in check.
Is Furia bouncing back? I mean really that's not Furia. I mean inferno is not
their best map. I can safely say that but if they do manage to
play as they did on Mirage there's no one. I mean it's only that my time that I can stop them.
It's true and Nuke is up next.
Hey, let's grab you right out of this game. Let's look at what happened.
You've got Nuke going ahead of you, but in this moment aside from Vitality shooting hard in these moments
What what are they doing in the server? What's going on here?
Ah, so basically they had a very good game plan. This side, we could have, they didn't have as far as varsity
But I think we didn't have a great defense on point on some of the key rounds.
Economy was on their side for the entire game. So it was very hard for us the most way.
What do you think the most annoying aspect of playing Vitality today is?
What is the most annoying thing about their playstyle?
I have to say Xayah.
I have to say the men's hating heart.
Let's see what awaits us in the next games.
Good luck on Nuke. Thanks.
9 trophies in one year.
And we're back at the very championship where it all began for Team Vitality.
Back on Inferno, Zywu, Flow State, he rips it from Furia's grasp.
And a championship that Apex, after a career long search, took last year by Talatia here
to defend their honor, defend their legacy, deny Furia their destiny.
This is Fallen's fourth crack. Second time in the final, still leading, no longer orping,
looking to secure this trophy in his own decade long pursuit. We are guaranteed two more maps.
So Crack-Ov, I hope you're ready. It's time for Nuke!
We're in the heart of the B05 final now.
This is where your fight or flight is activated.
This is where you've got to play your best level yet.
This is why we say BO5s are so demanding.
It might be the first team to have put Vitality on the ropes
to have had them looking a little nervous.
But following through, that's something that very few have been able to accomplish.
Saewoo up here on the rafters.
Ooh, gonna get out with one, even giving chase on a molotoy.
That proves to be one bridge too far.
Cut down by Mezzi, no heroics from molotoy in the pistol.
Left looking on at Keisarato here as he's got a tricky 1v3 roll down in front of him.
Through the vents, ready to backstab.
That's Robs closing in and there's one thing that's always frustrating about this guy.
Feels like he always gets behind you on a perfect window, perfect timing.
Always where he's supposed to be and he's just playing insurance policy here on this Keisarato clutch.
Ready to shut it down if needed, but not a requirement.
A clean pistol rolls through for Vitality.
Start for Mezi as well. He's been a bit quiet in this final so far, but we got a couple more maps that are really going to look to favour his fancy here.
Nuke and a potential fifth of Anubis. These are where Mezi does some of his best work, so a reassuring pistol round comes in for Team Vitality.
A team that lives and dies together feels like everywhere a few years ago they run into a double or triple setup in that pistol.
He's like with whips matter not pistol in
Okay, that's what chase the a kinder and this force by does nothing ouch
That first map just pissed them off back with a vengeance team vitality
It's just so flames, isn't it?
Deagle's roam outside.
Just kind of let the players off the leash, see what they can do.
That's the cool in this one.
Everyone has a Deagle, everyone has a chance to
pick and play and get involved.
Cross it out in the yard, you kind of will find one.
That's where Apex running this interference out through secret.
It's to maintain control and there's aggression on all fronts here.
From Vitality, they're setting a real tone at the start of this third map.
They're playing with no respect for their opponent, trying to get in their face.
That was made apparent from the very start.
The flames chased down the vents, now they're hounding down on those deagles in the yard.
Most first three rounds take me back to Mirage to be honest, clinical work from Vitality,
thirsting for kills, and getting out with clean rounds.
Can they keep it up though?
Furia's gun round in play, we know Furia have been a rock on this map.
A lot of their success though, coming from that CT side, so still gonna need them to break through, but it's a second half game here.
So we've got this out of all power straight away.
It's the Ryogun to make it down the mix. Now they try and hit Ramp.
That'll feed Zywoo 1 on this AWP. He's hanging around.
Zywoo wants to try and fight. No, Contemper is the one, and that's one step too far, right into your kinder.
I like the idea.
Another player on the ramp. You're not ready for that. You think Zywoo was here alone?
Robs is cut through the offense and now in behind them that's a free kill on
Molodoy. Kindar can't go anywhere as he's boxed in.
Kacerato and Yuri left to the wayside here.
And what are you supposed to do at a moment like this? Low health on Kacerato.
He feels trapped out of that B-side Yuri. He's got to be where they
alleviate some of this pressure. I need to go he's got the timing right now
there. Not considering this, but the boost coming up gives strong position to Vitality.
Ooh, goes wrong. Apex over his shoulder.
Check's out hell. Pays the price. Is he ready for more?
There's he tucked in. Yuri, you're scared of that B-bomb sight where Robs could lurk.
In fact, he is. Two separate 1v1s. Yuri's got to get a move on.
Catch for Robson, some time's running low for Yuri, no time to clear out Messi.
It's a crisis averted.
Not allowing these disadvantage rounds to come through any more, Vitality and not in
and forgiving mood and sure recent form for fury right eight win streak been a
great map but this is a map that vitality in the middle of last year went
on a huge streak of their own they matched eight as well they managed 14 out
15th
In a row blinded to open up this round as well
You can now just try looking for in the art and it's the last thing you got to do in this pistol round
How you want to be hemorrhaging players early on every kill you give to Zai Wu
Only builds his confidence up and you don't want this guy
Feeling right at home in this final
Molotoway outclassed him on that one, but that's no longer the case.
I sat on the A-plane, Tawoo's in the right spot, gets himself cleaned up in heaven, rightful is going to hold the line.
Oh!
Molotoway Kcerato breakthrough, now they've got the AWP to contend with, Apex closing in, and again, you just get sandwiched on both sides.
I'm seeing Ego from Saewoo right now.
Repeaking with Pistol at the back of the site.
He has an AWP, he doesn't need it.
Vitality just swinging for the fences.
And this was always the case, right?
You can't be a top team.
You can't certainly be the best team in the world
without Nuke and your repertoire.
The most technical map in Counter Strike for some time.
All the best teams in the world
have amassed massive win streaks on this map. Vitality just the same. And so as Furia
do their own Vitality, you come to punish, to swing and amiss for message, just damage
on Yuri. The kinder takes a lot as well, so don't get ahead of yourself with this man
advantage thinking that Furia have full control. We've already seen Vitality swing in aggressively
on this CT side. They're not going to stop.
You know with the dicks coming through with the idea that Vitality have shown a very aggressive
face to open this up.
You don't get to be that comfortable in this 5v4.
Even now you're trying to anticipate, well what's their next move?
Where's the aggression going to come?
Zai Wu on this angle.
The odd feeling overkill for this head to head and it's given away for free.
That was the beginning of the A-play.
3-2 Actors, the tip of the spear ends up getting locked out first and now Zawu eyes on at the main side!
No limits what he's been capable of in this side!
Zawu just keeps going!
Keisarato can't hack it!
And still flawless for Vitality!
The near-perfect player, Zawu, up close and personal in your face, puts that orb down your throat.
Furious choke, zero T-Round so far.
Everywhere they go, Vitality set up in numbers.
Six-zero lead on that ever-so-favorite CT side.
You can't see your kinder getting away with success outside.
So much of Furious T half relies on your kinder's space taking in the yard, getting down secret,
position, so Furia can play a late round. But he's getting awped, he's getting
dinked, he's getting harassed on these crosses.
Ykinder back with pistols, leads the charge to this yard.
Kisarato keeps him concerned about the prospect of a top hit, and Ykinder walks
behind the Molotov down below. Flames here, not playing for info, but committing for a fight.
Zai Wu never far away.
Zai might never get cleared.
I just get to have him say out from the sequel door,
Yuri goes to scale that position.
Now Zai Wu allowed to play.
Shooting gallery, full and clawing one back.
Look at him, you've got to face next.
for his 10th kill and he's gonna get it. It's the bald whips falling away.
Okay, Serato all alone at the wrong end of the map and even getting down this
fence is tenuous. There's the spot for Robs. You're now locked in an awful fight here.
No one you're able to close on. Don and Nation right now from Vitality.
Okay, sending a message, that is for certain.
You may have stolen a Mirage comeback from Team Vitality,
but they are not happy about it.
Cleaning Fano, moments where Furio could come back,
none that taken.
Doing this now though, two Furio,
they're my pick.
The big win streak that you spoke about.
That takes sending a message to a whole new level. Boost up in the yard. You need Mollidoy to provide.
Flick down needed. Miss shot. Not gonna get given a second chance Apex. Stuck around this smoke keeping the pressure on.
Nearly finds a man in the back instead. It's Mollidoy bought down first.
A smoke break helps Apex. Fallen sets his star up not to succeed, but to perish and everyone dies.
4v2, stuck outside, Zywoo still scoped.
Point survived the crossing, your king can't find his usual ground out in the yard.
Fallen left his save, they won't let him get away with it. Everyone facing, everyone chasing.
Vitality wanted to hurt.
A clinical game.
A contagious flow state. Everyone communicating.
Calling the flashes.
Knowing their role. What's open.
Rotating B to perfection. Never overplaying.
But still aggressive. Still ever present.
Apex throwing himself outside.
They need to stop this. It's already out of control. It's not yet to be on saving.
They're already in a tailspin. The best thing I hope now is to stop their landing.
He just got wall banged with no info so I would just banged him through the box
That's doing a playbook I tell you they've just been so decisive in these moves I've patted out the top site
Spokes will give rise to the fear that the fury it could be crossing down secret
And so one man sent away from the stack early any fear me you're dropping then that just shows you don't believe in this
Flames checks it out, and he's probably just gonna go right back up. It's a little bit too quiet right now.
So Flames is ready to assist on this A site if required. Fury will cross very late and dry, but
What's the goal? Main split?
Pistols? Up against Zywoo in heaven?
It's a composition for the Orbs, that's if they even needed to play right now, the rifles.
Men to be able to hold this down. Mischoff for Zywoo.
Messi provides cover, and Nes Flames up through the event as promised.
Too many guns.
Fury, a field, none of them.
Vitality, a laying waste.
They're getting beat into the ground, it's not even competitive. These rounds are not falling close.
And I know Furia rely on their CT side quite heavily in these games that they've won on this win streak,
but this is not the T side we've come to expect.
They haven't had any of the control that they usually do.
They're going to try it up the pace.
Fast out through the door and they've caught a good timing.
For once Vitality didn't have a stack here ready to receive.
They have the site control.
You've got to hope that from getting these positions,
it's enough to finally break the streak of Vitality.
You just want to go for it.
You've got Fade to Brains on 16K.
You just want to give this a try, Vitality.
So let's see what a 5v5 upper retake looks like.
You're talking about burned through for Furia.
It is going to slow the roll of any retake.
KSerato makes life even harder there with an opening onto Apex.
Good moly.
We're going to go down on the back of this flash.
Two of them come through to try and set up Mezzi.
Yikinder locks them out of this retake.
And double up now to Zai-Wu and Rops.
It's not meant to be.
Streak ended in round 10.
Furia finally on the board.
No bells, no whistles.
It's just an all-in-a-play,
and they catch a favourable timing.
And not insta-rush.
Just by a few seconds here, Vitality take their set up.
They read it wrong out of spawn.
No worry.
A brief round, a brief moment here for Furia.
The team Vitality with ample opportunity here
on their opponent's map pick.
an admirable attempt at what should be an impossible post-plots.
Ross is still yet to die here in round number 11.
Eternal.
Zywoo Infernal.
He takes that all back up top, and he sees the cross.
It's info, if nothing more, knowing Yukinda is solo down on that B bomb site.
They don't need to over-rotate, they just need to reinforce ramp.
You're telling Robs to be ready for it.
Yet to die in the map thus far.
Robs.
Might not be dying, he's doing a whole lot of killing.
Forced off the line after that missed shot.
Brun taken.
If you already have the space they were hoping for, but down in this lower site it won't be an easy take.
You've got an entrenched AWP, you've got Flames rotating down earlier. It's a trap hold.
Who was the time for you, kind of, to find something? It's now.
On this door swing, gotta be ready for two players, gotta be ready for Flames playing underneath.
Rest of Fury are making their way out of the rampside. Flash is good. Sets off here, Kindar.
Now it's just the- Oh! To get past! Rops doesn't want to die!
Finally, parts way with that AWP!
But boy, has he put in one hell of a shift.
Some hell of an effort.
3 on 2 retake. Looms over Fury.
And they're getting iced out, Molotov fighting to a corner. Not long for this world!
And this CT side is looking as perfect as their first season.
Just one blemish on the record here for Team Vitality.
Everything else coming up in their favour from every position.
sequence from Robs and just a turnaround in form as well because even though
Vitality won Inferno and the score was convincing some of the individuals weren't
we were seeing missed shots for Robs, Nezzy came in cold on Mirage, both those
players putting in a hell of a shift right now. Zaiwu is taking the glory but
every single player of Vitality holding their position strong and even those
little details like your kinder crossing down secret is information vitality have.
They know what you're doing.
They've been so reluctant to use these timeouts they burned their second one here in the final
round of their tee-off.
Tyrone with another aggressive opening.
I know that he is feeling it in this final.
I have to see him showing it, putting it all out there.
All some OrpAs shrink back, play passive, let their team take the round.
It's Iwo who forces, answers.
Pushes right into Furia.
Smoke is a bridge too far.
First time they have pretty had proper info out in the yard and that is a consequence of
Zywu looking for this pick in the lobby and so Flames has deployed that smoke very very
early.
That scream and the Vitality are worried someone's made it down secret.
First time really and what feels like this whole game Vitality are having to fly a little
blind.
They're getting info and they're getting it quick they've just locked off round for 40
seconds even Mezzy's pushing the huff.
All the vitality are further forward, the Furia are ready for.
The doorway.
Zilu won't let them in.
The Kindar are going to take the space away,
but they get chewed up in the lobby, it's down to this.
Fallen and your Kindar.
You can have the sight, but at what cost?
The Brains of Furia have to get through the brawn of vitality.
Fallen with a reposition up on top of the heart.
They came down playing a little later for me and ready to swing on Foulins contact.
They've had time to get us set up together.
Flash comes out. Foulins takes that first fight.
Time's running out here for Vitality. They've got to get a move on.
And with that, you're not as diligent, you're not as clean in these checks.
It's something for Furia in the final round of the half.
And measly two rounds to their name as Vitality go from strength to strength in this grand final.
Last time these teams clashed in a grand final, Furia punished on Vitality's Parma, but that's
all in the ancient history.
Here today, Vitality, take it to them on Furia's best map, an 8 win streak and a 10 round defensive
Team Vitality sending a message to Furia.
They've been outclassed from top to bottom.
Not being a competitive third map by any margin.
They've had answers for everything. They shut down Yikindar out in the yard.
They came through with aggression from the word go.
Robsi's been quiet in this series, put in one hell of a map.
a map, one hell of a half out towards the rampside. Everywhere you look, Furia couldn't make a dent.
Jandar tried to be cheeky to start off this pistol round, trying to provide a bit of levity to the rest of Furia.
Ramp crawl to decide the outcome in the pistol, and Vitality still break through.
Zawoo, star of the last two maps by quite the margin in this pistol round.
You weren't ready for your kinder, but he's not able to get the drop on him, they'll get past him.
Bomb now planted, and an awkward round in front of Furia.
Two opening kills here for Furia and Vitality go into a ramp stack.
They are out with the bomb plants and favourable positions, just a couple pushing buttons here for vitality.
Lock in this T side pistol, but Cacerato has more to do. Mordor is shot from death, Messi up top, he isn't coming till he knows.
He's got the round, with that maybe the game.
Maryman on the stage and Furia swallowed whole.
We've been waiting for a bunch of these names for Vitality to really get involved in this
grand final.
It's been Zai Wu and Flames doing a lot of the heavy lifting while here on Nuke it's
been about those other guys.
the chaotic round as they run through the door, the bomb doesn't make it.
Okay, this is going to get weird right now, that bomb is on the topside, Vitality are in B,
you have to come back up.
Fury are protecting a package, Vitality strapping.
Right now they're tunnel-visioned on the fight to Apex out in the yard,
that has allowed Flames to stop this way back up through the vents.
They're very focused on getting past Apex.
That's allowed Messi and Flames to close in on the rest of them.
What the hell is going to end this?
Furia want to follow through on the chaos they caused early, and he's getting whittled down, finished off!
Matt Point already bestowed upon Vitality in just 15 rounds of play!
Furia are in the washing machine, they are banging their head against the glass, screaming get me out!
Another advantage, Bomber their feet, Vitality everywhere!
And Furia full panic, full shock, fully dominated on this 3rd map.
You can feel the nerves, you can feel them in how that moment breaks down for Furia.
And no one's coming to save them.
Yikinder with a couple of multi-kills in their two rounds, but otherwise it's been an absence.
Furia in this third, and even your kinder felled.
Molodoy has never had a chance to get this CT AWP, and it will not come now.
For a pure AWP like Molodoy, his role straight relinquished.
With a stomp, a statement from Team Vitality.
You talk about sending a message, a scoreline like this to break the streak of fury on a home map for this squad.
Well that certainly serves the purpose.
And you want them feeling ice cold?
Come that map number four, this one, look at it, full brutally in Vitality's favour.
And as the whole team look on, they know the full and not the man for the job here.
Vitality dominate on Nuke, that record of Furia and their home map now broken now away from
the Vitality are a map away from defending their title and lifting this trophy all over
again.
Let's look right. City left.
Flash in B, go in there.
One City left.
I'm going in there.
It's all right.
Go ahead.
Right at your cross, Mike.
Head hurts, right side.
Right side, man.
Ramp pushing, hot.
Ramping, hot.
One down.
20 for Heaven.
I'll go top left.
One flat.
You better watch out.
One more.
Watch out.
Ah!
Nice!
What you said, what you said is right in my head
What you learned, what you learned don't make no sense
What you said, what you said living with no one right
In my head, in my head
I saw you there, I saw you there playing in the sun
What you did, what you did, don't make no sense
Take it back, take it back, I will feed you safe
There's destruction, and then there's that. This wasn't just Spheria's Choice,
this was meant to be one of their most comfortable maps, and they got absolutely torn to shreds.
shreds and unlike Inferno, this wasn't just the Zybel show, this was Vitality,
Farron and all cylinders to quickly dispatch a Furia.
Maybe Furia got confused, we said banger, not banged out, but yeah, I think also it's problematic,
now you see, right, like if you told me two months ago, our Furia is going to pick Nuke
into Vitality and be like, what? You know, that doesn't make too much sense with Overpass being
open and I think they're going off of recent results and maybe Vitality stats on the map,
but I think just historically with these lineups,
Fury are better suited for Overpass, Vitality better suited for Nuke and they show that's why.
And just looking at Fury at this game, they couldn't really get anything going.
It was like constantly losing to Albany Fights, they never got the space.
Whenever they got the space, they would have someone on, just like that on the rise, someone doing double kills.
Saewoo once again just being a nuisance towards them, always finding and being in my position.
It's something that is so hard to deal with, but also all just Fury also being a little bit hesitant.
Like you can see that the confidence that they really had on Mirage is now slowly losing out of it.
They don't really get into the same kind of positions, they don't get the same kind of situations.
And overall, Fiora just didn't really look like a team that was competing for Trial of Terror.
Let's dive into some of the CT side books that we saw from Vitality.
We begin with round 6, what have you got for us here?
So round 6, you said one of these things that I really want to show, why Saivou is just so good.
You do see you're really getting the first kill in Hot here.
But then Saivou takes Manage into his own hand, gets up close.
with the AWP close to heart. And this person is so hard to clear out.
He gets the guy, then drops this smoke. The smoke is the key in this specific round.
It creates this wall that he can play around and he knows that he can work the angles.
And they can't use the utility. He doesn't even can burn it.
Gets the second one in main. And then slowly just angle by angle,
searching for this third kill. Gets the guy behind the door.
Well, and at this point, one thing is he gets three kills. That's what it is, right?
But he also buys so much time that he's asked.
All he seems to ask, roadshelving back into the bomb site and closing out.
And it's just this that makes it so hard because
If this would have been pretty much any other AWPer, maybe the guy from Main would have swung.
Maybe the guy coming out down would have been a little bit faster.
But it's reasoning why they're so afraid to discuss it inside, when they can see that Nikhil feed.
He is bringing so much fear to that server.
Just his awareness too. I mean, he knows exactly what Fury is doing in that round as soon as he kills Fury, right?
He knows it's supposed to be an A-split happening, throws the smoke to create confusion by himself, some cover.
You know, a lot of other players in that situation, they would do that and then they would...
Hold the main angle from Tetris or from hot right and wouldn't create as much confusion wouldn't buy as much time perhaps where their teammates and yeah
He's been on a tear this whole final. Let's say from the battalion side of the equation from round six in this might stop moment
Didn't come a lot. I think so. Yes, sir. Leave him
What the?
I'm on the roof.
Yeah, no, careful.
Oh, no, that's not the main.
Nothing like that.
Careful, Main.
Just careful, Tanks.
What is it?
Main.
One on the roof.
Careful, T-Goran.
One Main itself.
Main is on Main.
Main and Door.
Main is on Two on Two.
Two on Two on Two on Two on Two on One.
No!
You know Apex and XI, we're better than I do, Dupree.
Is that a similar cause to what you were experiencing back in your vitality time?
It sounds a little chaotic, right? That's the whole, that's probably the first impression you get, but it's, it's, it's what they're used to.
That's how they also was communicating back then, but, you know, they put pressure on the right things, you know, the whole main, that there can be multiple guys coming from the main.
And that puts Saibou in a position where he's aware of that, and then he gets the kill and he just plays out of intuition afterwards.
But it's, it's a team that they're communicating on, but it sounds chaotic, but if they're used to that, then, then everything's rolling.
It's all about the teamwork, Freya, right? Apex does the communicating and Zypher does the killing.
That's exactly what I just said to me. Let's take a skip to round number eight.
You impressed with some of the aggressive plays that we saw from the CT side from Vitality.
Me meaning impressed, yes. It was kind of, it was honestly sad seeing some of these rounds
transpire, you know, for the side of Furia. Molotov, you know, boosted up, can't really connect on
the flak capers with the aggressive play. They get team flashed here. I mean, Molotov is holding
this against Flash by his own teammate. Messi is holding a bombsite on lockdown, finds both
K Serato and Jury and it's 1-25 there in a 2v4. They can't even get to secret. Messi gets a third
on Yekinda and it just fallen in a 1v4 with the AWP, you know, getting hunted down by the rest of
the Vitality players. And these rounds are so dominant, so one-sided where you're struggling to
to see the silver lining for Furia going into the rest of this final.
And this specific move is actually one of Apex's favorite ones.
You know, he just likes to get up close to main and then have side hook covering either
on silo or down low in the yard.
And if there is this smoke, he will take a pot shot through it just to create the distraction.
And the reaction for Furia is, you know, they're kind of forcing him to this position because
there are multiple players out in the yard, they're really shutting down that first force
and then they're trying to, you're trying to come out from the door trying to find openings
there.
have to go through smokes, you have to go through all these very uncomfortable situations.
So, Vitaliy applying that much pressure really puts it hard.
Okay, then Njanko, what could Furia have done?
You said you were heartbroken for them.
In that particular instance, what do they do to make sure that Vitaliy can't get away
with that?
I'm not sure what happened today where Messi gets both K-Serato and Nuri.
Maybe the outside is just a distraction for them to make a timing play and Messi was on
point, the whole nuke, right?
And also, again, a little bit of miscommunication.
where Mordor is just holding the smoke, but there's a flash coming in from his teammate,
where he gets blinded by it, and we've been seeing this throughout this final,
just some of those small errors from the side of Fury, where they're not on the same page,
you know, one player is offering help, but the other guy isn't really ready for it,
or maybe he doesn't want it, and usually this flows really well, and it sort of comes to them
naturally, but here they seem to be a little bit off.
It's just out of sync, like it just feels like they're not really playing the game towards,
like for each other not helping each other as they're supposed to do on also looking back at them
previously in the game but they're just going to give it to Vartalia you know they're just playing
extremely well at commerce right now they're helping each other they know where they have each
other and they play all of each other so well so that's also when they get into this kind of
system and things start rolling for Vartalia it is hard to do something against it. Well we touched
upon the individual so let's check in with the finalists for our DHL MVP. It will be the DHL MVP
You decide. You can participate in the DHL MVP vote as it happens. Make sure to be
tuned into the Twitch stream and be ready to have your say.
That's a question we have been asking all weekend long. Who will be taking home
our DHL MVP? Zairu Wazir been very familiar with these as of late.
Yanko, is he in? Steven, you're voting in?
I think most definitely. I think whatever happens in this final is the MVP.
What's the difference between the last two maps?
You have a hard time seeing how anyone can surpass him.
At this point, especially early on in the final where his teammates have been struggling to find their form,
he definitely put the team on his back.
Okay, I raise you a flame, Steve.
Of course, great map number one didn't translate into a W for Vitality,
but maybe just maybe he could attempt you to breathe.
I mean like I think he's had a really solid tournament like not only in the playoffs
But also different days, you know he does so much of the heavy lifting also making so many entries for the likes of Italian
You can't really not count them off
He's been really instruments in this grand final already. You want to know where my vote is going?
Of course never a Patriot until it comes to British counter strike and that and indeed messy
No, all jokes aside, of course, I was just looking lights out at the moment
But incredible form from messy particularly on this map and into very difficult positions far
I hate to break it to you for you, but Mesa will never win an MP as long as I was on that team.
Yeah, I feel like the entire year Vitality experienced that, so I think you have to agree too.
There's a case where I was mad I've been a little bit robbed after major, but that's a whole other story.
Let's talk about it, the fourth map in this potential best of five.
You spoke about it, Janko, you feel like this could have, and maybe should have been Furious pick, it goes the other way around and turns into Vitality.
Why is that?
I think it's weird to pre-contestify to this as well.
Sometimes when you look at the team from the outside,
you have a certain perspective, but on the inside,
there's different things going on, because for us,
you're thinking Führer should still be going for overpass often.
They were so good on the map towards the end of last year.
A lot of other teams, it's a weakness for them,
but it has fallen out of favor for them recently,
and sometimes it can be just you losing that feel for the default.
You feel like you've been doing the same thing for so long that people have now countered you
and you're struggling to find some different dancers.
And it's just such a hard map when you're playing on the T side to find the openness
because it requires you to sometimes gamble, specifically towards A-bombs.
It also requires you to sometimes have these pops towards B.
You need to have that racing in both maps, otherwise it's just going to be too easy for the CTs.
You always have this kind of approach to where they're hitting.
I really wanted to dive into what Vitaly is doing so good on their CT side.
You know I've been inside that in German and one of those things that that I think that they're so good
Obviously is that the two main characters of vitality having Cyroo and Rob playing a you you really like to see rubs going up to
Towards the balloon area up here, and then you have Cyroo helping out covering. Oh if they could teleport that would make them in
Me do some drawing to you instead
So rubs really being the guy going up to balloons Cyroo then having this line here
And then that's like that's like that go to right if they want to be a question
Then sometimes they will mix it up with having Apex also coming from Long.
Being this guy that's ready to pound to whenever they get contact up here.
Sometimes you do see Apex being down in Underpass as well.
Throwing grenades to then create a diversion that the guy playing Balloons is actually not him,
but the guy that's playing in Underground.
Another important thing is also that Apex really loves to be theory-crapped.
He likes to be in the head of his opponent and always trying to be a couple of steps ahead.
And since he's the road trader guy on this map specifically,
he also likes to start Heaven.
He likes to sometimes also be held within Torj, but whenever he starts onto the B-bomb,
he likes to be in this area.
He likes to, you know, spam through here.
He likes to flash out flames a lot, out to the short area.
And Apex, he just always try to think ahead, what is my opponent going to be thinking?
How is it going to be?
And another important thing that I think is sometimes a little bit overlooked when it
comes to map is that this area right here is actually something we used to be calling
like the utility pool.
It's actually where we drop a ton of utility.
That would be like flashbangs.
So that actually indicates that the player playing in this area will actually be able
to help with flashbangs coming up here, if the teams are starting to walk down here.
He can help players in any positions, it can be players out here, it can be for monster,
it can be the guy flashing up here, he can even sometimes if he's playing shoot pass
up he can actually throw flashes behind the players on A. So this specific area right
here is sometimes very overlooked but it's actually an area that we use a lot to be able
to help the entirety of the map.
Very interesting, I love that insight because it's not often that we go and look at Apex's
positions on many maps, right? He's not necessarily the one you want to be or need to be firing
on all cylinders, but it's a, there's little details that are going to make the difference
for the game plan for Vitality, right?
Yeah, absolutely. And it's very important on Overpass that you're connected on the CT side,
right? Because Vitality last time around in Czech, dude, did a great job of being aggressive
on a early on, mixing it up with some early aggression, but also mid round aggression.
So when Apex would, as a third player, go to A and they would try to retake some of the
control that they've consciously given away and that's when you'll see
Messi and Flames you and B you know smoke monster or smoke short and play for
monster because you want to buy time for that re-aggress to happen and if they
find a kill the T's might say okay they re-aggress in A they'll just react B and
that then they need to go through a smoke or you have a good crossfire setup
like that's what you're trying to set up and last time Furia was struggling to
find an answer for that aggression. That's exactly what I was pointing at
Because if you're in the receiving game playing in the season, that is difficult because you have so many things that you need to be aware of.
You have all the aggressions towards A, also in terms of pushing up monster, but also outshot.
And for the furious side, they did have issues when they played the last time.
They would, I mean, if you're furious and you look into go towards A, would you rather, obviously facing side movement rubs,
or would you rather go towards B, having flames in Mesa, I mean, I know what I would be picking, right?
But it is about creating the diversion and creating the space on A that is difficult because you need a lot of utility and you need to be very cautious.
The thing is, furious had a hard time figuring that out.
That means they went towards the B bomb site and when they planted it against, I believe it was a roll or something.
Oh, no, a starter, sorry.
They do went a lot against that B bomb site and that will create the idea for me to tell you that Fuhrer is now looking to go towards B a little bit more.
Are they going to be heading towards A?
You know, it creates this mind game we need to figure out.
But in the Fuhrer camp, you know, it's all about solving the issue right now.
Just very quickly, I don't often ask some predictions, but potentially this could be the final map.
Do you think it's going to be the final map in this best of five?
I want to believe in Fuhrer.
I want to believe in a close series still, you know, not much to base that on, but perhaps
they will find that flare on Overpass that they think that they've lost.
Yeah, if they can get started on the CT side and just really just pounce them and have
a good, they don't have to work that much further on the T side.
So there's a pace, but I do want to see a fifth.
Yeah, a chance for Ferreira to be backed in back and they need to grab this one hands
on.
Otherwise, it will be Vitality's hands hoisting the trophy here in Krakow.
going down on Overpass potentially. The final map of this series, if I tell you have anything
to do with it, it's going down in just a few.
No one fights here and you know each other and you don't break it.
Come on!
You got it all!
It starts with a dream, with a team you barely know, in an amateur official that feels like
at the grand final, where practice becomes progress,
and every loss feels like a lesson.
When will your journey begin?
Let me change my name on Steam,
because it means a little bitch.
Yeah, in French.
And you have a picture of Matt.
Yes.
Yeah.
This is my least favorite part of deathmatch,
is the pistol only.
Yeah, no, the pistol headshot is the worst.
Like the pistol edge at look, then lie to you.
I still have my frags from this morning.
It's because the way people move in pistol edge only.
They're like jumping, yeah,
and they're just doing the stupid shit.
And then they go back like, oh, mates, I'm not true.
Okay, I'm reading more in game than in this match, you know?
But people play deathmatch to win.
It's like, come on, hold on.
We're doing that to warm up.
Oh, I'm actually good right now.
You're actually sick right now.
And yeah, I think that's people just,
what people do is left, right, left, right.
That's what they do.
They don't try to, I don't know, me I'm trying on my picks and my, I don't care about my score, so I go
the way I'm gonna pick people
It's a 600 yards, I think, that's why I'm good
You've already hit the banger shop, so don't worry, we got that on tape
Yeah, that's good
What are you, when it goes to the second round weapons, what are you, what's your combo? Are you doing the Deagle Scout?
No, I'm P9
Okay, you're that guy
I'm this MF, I'm this much jumping and trying to keep people
I just, of course, with the... Oh, it's changed to his cross, you know?
Mine's all over, everything's changed.
Yes. But it's fallen, I think.
He has his own binds, he's in change for me.
So, as he has his config.
But I think, like, I tried the MP7 though, which is like pretty powerful.
The only thing is, I can't play like a monkey, like jumping everywhere,
except with the MP7, it's more like an aim weapon.
It's bursting, yeah.
And it's really slow like the way you run now, so...
I'll shoot him.
And do this stuff, right? That's what people will do when they reload.
So, now, yeah...
Oh, why?
What the hell are those binds?!
I need to change this one, no way.
I don't even know what command that is.
Yeah, like, do it right full screen.
It changes to two crossers because it says bind, I don't know if...
Yeah, I see, okay, it's on the mouse.
Okay, I don't need to touch him.
I'm also a guy. I'm happy that they removed the thing for the silencer on CS2.
Oh yeah, right.
Because in this match when I'm bored or when I hold the line in CS, I'm doing right click.
Okay.
Then I keep, you know, I'm in DHD a bit. I need to, I can't like stand still and do like ropes.
You know, I'm not that character.
Yeah.
So for me, I just need, if I hold the line, I'm fine, but I need to have something else to
keep like being focused.
Stand active.
Yeah, exactly.
Let's go!
What's going on?
I don't know.
Boys, Nicola, Damien.
Here are some gifts from me.
Nicola Kovic, Damien.
Thank you.
Open, check it, enjoy.
Look.
The art of war, one of the most influential works on strategy of all time.
Good thinking.
It was actually on my list of reading.
A book?
Learn Mandarin Chinese?
No, it's always good to expand your horizons.
Oh, for the Chinese fan base.
Now it makes sense.
Maxim, brother, give a gift to Nikola.
That one.
What do we have here?
A Kekersport?
Yes.
Zonik always told me that Glaive was a mastermind.
Don't worry bro, we actually got another one for you.
Damian, do this thing.
You will love it for sure man.
Take it.
Hey, open up.
What about me, boys?
Don't you worry, we're saving the best for last.
The tent?
Yeah, I mean, you never know when you need a tent, right?
Super useful.
I see what this is.
Do you want me to do a team building expedition?
For example.
Nico, come on, bro.
Oh, boys, the management has spoiled us this year.
Everyone ready?
Oh!
Are you all ready?
Brother, let's go!
Blyat!
Maxim, it's your bestie, no?
Come on, guys. There's not enough space in this thing for Donk, not by kicking Tessus.
Who said it has to be Tessus?
It works as a strategy. You never know what will happen.
Don't expect. You're right.
Don't you worry, my friend.
Ah, Nico Nikola Kovac. Classic.
Shallow to Ross for the sleeping bag though.
Real comfy.
Partiality is on match point.
There pick up Overpass coming up next
but the tower on wants to see all five maps.
I do too, but what did you think about Vitality in that last one?
They look definitely on.
I mean, I'm going to be honest.
If Vitality can keep firing on the same amount of cylinders in the next map, it's over for Furia.
What clicked for them so hard that they ran over Furia so hard?
The team. I feel like Mirage was Furia, did well as a team.
Inferno, it was all on Zaibu, but Nuke.
It was the whole team of Vitality that went, I don't know, very hard.
saying and you know yourself also when you're up on a stage like that and things start going your
way and you start winning a few more clutches that creates intense momentum right yes and a lot of
confidence so just feel off of it keep going and don't look back just think about the next round
that's it. Furia they of course have something to fight against they still have a map in their
back pocket but again this is a five mapper so it's becoming more uncertain territory for both
So the teams with still vitality that went for overpass. What do you think about this one for furia?
I mean in the best of five
The maps, I don't think it makes a difference only the first map picks do make a difference
But then afterwards is just
Uncharted Territory for both teams in the best of three you get one map each in the best of five
You just ban your maps and then you play it afterwards
So I think all across could be anyone's games but anyone's game but now fury have to face as I will and vitality. That's crazy
Yeah, on Overpass. Give me one name from Furyah and why you want to see that person perform. Who's the key?
I want to see a whole of Furyah perform because even if Molodoy steps up, I don't think that's enough to beat Zybu and Vitality.
So I want Furyah firing on all cylinders and just focus.
Okay, I want a Molodoy Masterclass to bring us to map 5. Let's see if it happens.
Your heads gentlemen. I'm just kidding. You're raising up now. What if you guys come dressed as they?
I think you look like a Charizard. What is that?
Hey, yeah, Pikachu. What are you? I'm German Anderson
Who wins in the fight between Pikachu and Charmander in the game, of course
Okay, he's bigger, okay
How about in the fight in the server right now? Who's winning this grand final?
If you look at Vitaly, you look at Fiora, who do you where your allegiance is?
I think Fiora have amazing crowd here, but they are not going to make it
They are not going to make it.
Getting a little out of shot. What do you got?
Vitality. The trophy stays in Europe.
Yeah, okay, fair enough. Is this your guys first IM?
Yes, it's Leicester's arm.
What do you think so far?
Amazing, I think in Krakow it's much better in Katowice.
We have more people.
I didn't say that. You said that. What do you think, man?
Oh, I mean, crowd is... how perfect.
I see that when everybody like,
Woo! Let's go for it, yeah, and then, on the opposite side, let's go Vitality.
We see that the crowd is live here. I love it, I love it.
You guys have been playing Counter-Strike a while, I imagine.
Would you come back to the Intellect Stream Masters?
Yes, for sure, absolutely.
Anything you want to say?
Let's go Vitality!
Yes, sir, no, same.
Let's go!
Let's go, Vamos.
Remy, since you have a little bit more time, I presume you're a lot happier than after
that first map?
Yeah, yeah, no, it's better.
We are playing our game, so of course I'm satisfied, but the job is not done yet.
It isn't, but where have you seen the most improvement, the improvement that you needed
to see over these last two maps?
I think we are more relaxed.
We tried to play together.
We tried more each other, etc.
So it was the key.
So far, especially in the city side, it was really great.
What's your gut tell you?
Is it going to be over on Overpass or are we going five?
We never know.
Good luck.
Give me something.
Perfect.
Nice.
You've got a lot of prey around you, it's just us.
Calm down, everything's gonna be fine.
It's gonna be fine.
It's not like that normally.
At least I was not done.
What is that?
We just made out!
What the fuck?
Oh no, not the face.
I'm with a huge fucking steak.
Let's go, Nico!
Nice, Nico! Let's go!
I'm trying my best.
Right, then crack up if you send me out.
You know it's time for some hide.
You having a good time?
before we find out because we're 60 seconds away from the fourth and maybe
fine on that maybe I'll go to five can I say thank you to every person here a
new home for this tournament you've been amazing round reports yourself every
single one of you but now the question and this is the question who is gonna
take this trophy home so let's be louder than we have been every single day
Is it going to be vitality?
Is it going to be fury?
One more time.
Is it going to be vitality?
Is it going to be fury?
Mouthful baby, it's in bounds.
Furia won the first team to test Vitality and map one of the grand final.
The versus a team of this caliber, you need grit, you need determination.
It's a war of attrition.
And that's a war that Vitality are winning.
They didn't get to where they are.
World number one by rolling over and giving up.
Revenge is in the air.
Chengdu is just a blip on the radar for Team Vitality.
Back-to-back dominant maps and they look to seal their fate on overpass for
back-to-back titles here in Krakow. Have Fury got him in them? Can they dig deeper?
Or is this the Zywu show all along?
We're either crowning back-to-back IEM winner champions or Fury are gonna stun
the world and give us a final to remember. The deck is stacked against them by
Vitality are in full swing. Is this weight too much to bear?
Eight wins on Nuke, a broken seven wings,
hanging in the balance for vitality.
The best he's side in the world on overpass.
And Kinsorato, one, two, three, shots!
You can't believe that's the first kill of this oh so important map!
Will it come to matter?
Cause Zai Wu's come through with multi-kills of his own!
Suddenly you go from celebrating the most impossible shot to being thrust into a two on three retake.
And with Zai Wu having already taken space,
he's looking to drive a nail in the Copa de Feria!
Blackstar connects!
And Zai Wu...
stuns us all in the pistol!
Despicable shot matters not for Keisarato. It is the Zairu 4k as he looks to break records.
Run that back. This is on track to be a Zairu's best tournament ever.
This map decides.
That was the one gun in the round.
Motherdoy with the eagle playing fast and loose out towards mid.
Res should just be a cave walk here for vitality.
They're closer than you're ready for, your Kindar doesn't even get to fire a bullet.
And so no issues getting through the stack.
Looking like another one of these strong starts for Vitality.
Start as you mean to go on.
Forget that first map.
The wind has changed. The crowd has flopped. Vitality are favoured.
I don't know, he's bringing his all power straight away. And if you're Furia, you hope
more than ever that this kid is switched on with a point to prove in that fall.
Yeah, because he had a mind-blowing mirage, but since that point, he has gone quiet in this final.
Sure, Nuke, T-Side never really got a chance to don it, but in Furto, multiple attempts.
Vitality run rings around him.
You think about Maldito individually, all the conversations around this guy, how explosive he is, rookie of the year.
If you want to be one of the greats, you've got to be ready to tango with someone like Tawoo.
He's best in his class, and if you want to be in that conversation, you've got to beat him.
It's been a counter to so many pieces, right?
Bested dong, 14-7 head-to-heads in that semi-final.
Shut him down time after time.
Right now, it's a team effort to dispatch a balladoy.
But to put vitality just minutes from this title.
So, can they keep Molotov under their thumb?
In this round, it certainly does seem like it.
A lot of players with nades out here, right at the start is here.
Gotta get going on in time.
This is a bonus round for Vitality, so you want to try and brave your way through it.
Trades go back and forth.
Vitality broken through the B site defense.
And so on to a retake now, looks like Moledoy could be asking for a boost here
looking to make that first incision on the AWP
Need him to connect
We'll get given a chance of Zywu takes even a step out of line
Robs right underneath them
Miss on the jump check nothing being offered here and your kinder first blood in the retake. That's enough
I mean, we saw this in Chengdu, but I feel like it's happened again, fallen, dropped
Monodoy this orb and left himself without armor on his rifle, knowing if Furia to ever
have a chance, it's got to be off the back of this AWP stud.
He will save it.
And so, Vitality kick off strong on the T side of this fourth map.
Good chance we see these AWP's clash, they're heading to opposite ends of the map right
now to hear on overpass those all head-to-heads and run into him.
This arrived taking a spam fight that it maybe shouldn't have been bought down low right off
the top of the round.
Well they're doing a very aggressive position.
Pretty aggressive stance across the board here for Furia.
feeling like Nuke was just two out of their hands, right? They never really had control over that game,
so trying to force it through in the opening gun rounds here.
Vitality comfortable was sitting back, so I was not even out of the playground yet,
been on the clock. This aggressive set up for Furia means they can react and push long,
but not if Vitality come to them. It's Iwu ready on the jump, missed shot, Yuri bales out his mate.
And so Vitality forced into the other side of the map, Fallen.
Is he ready? Flash, forces the kill. 5v3 for Furia.
Nice to see they've got these moves up their sleeve. Right little flash play just to bring Fallen into the picture.
Advance this man. Advantage even further, but you have missed this timing on Messi.
Moloik can catch him here. Doesn't even have to. Fallen's got the cover.
Das fought for the gun, all in a knave from Apex.
Oh no, 2v5!
Link of an eye!
And this would just shatter them around.
This felt like a round building for Fury, a bit of composure.
Playing it how they normally do, setting each other up.
But could get decided in those instantaneous fights
that Apex brings to the table.
He'll wait, he knows the pressure, and no longer on vitality.
Cool the heads, look to prevail as Apex and Flames sit back and the fights come to them.
Oh no, Apex star on the show, that's a dangerous omen here for Furia in this fourth map.
Four frags in a 2v5 and it all happens so quick before Furia can realize what's happened.
It's already over.
And you need those rounds on CT overpass, because T does not come easily.
Vitality making you question that, but they right now are in a league of their own.
The most formidable squad on this map.
Even beating Furia last time they played.
Despite the two series wins in a row for Furia towards the end of 2025.
Again fallen by his volatile Dior.
The aggressive move for Zilu will get countered.
Ykindar, D.Eagle out towards mid.
Chance of the second here.
Now Flash makes things awful,
but it will get Ykindar out of the danger zone.
They're giving chase there right here,
and guns aren't even out.
Molodoy tried his best to recover,
but all the Vitality swarmed that midtake.
I don't think Furio were ready for quite the reaction.
They get a 5v4, they miss a shot.
It feels inconsequential.
All the Vitality stormed through middle.
And it's these moments that they just are perfection in, freezing, 3v2.
Let Uri come to you.
A flank gives Messi exactly what he's waiting for.
So Kastor Otto can't make a move.
Uri will, but it will leave him completely out of the round.
Just constantly a great experience, plays from Vitality,
and it's experience they've gained on their run to being the number one team.
the idea that when they're in these advantage positions,
when they're putting this squeeze on their opponent,
they know the stress they're under.
They know they feel forced to make a move,
and so sitting back, grouping up,
these are the right things to do.
You, as far as you're concerned,
Vitality have all the time in the world to win this trophy.
Sane cannot be said for Furia,
who don't check this corner,
and Mezzi delivers death in an instant.
In crack of a lone, Vitality come into this final
as the best team in 5v4s and the best team in 4v5s.
All the stats for their favour.
And when you add in breaking Furious,
Winstreet or Nuke in the way they did,
How could this final not feel destined for Team Vitality?
And what you're playing for now is the chance to kind of destroy them in back-to-back maps.
That would be one hell of a way to claim this title.
The idea that it was only competitive as long as Vitality allowed it to be.
They had us in the first map, not gonna lie.
I'm furious since the second half of Inferno have been a non-factor.
You can just feel the comfortability on Vitality. Everyone's getting a big degree of freedom
even now. Messi, usually the safe pair of hands, the guy that's left in these clutches,
he's taking tremendous space away. A lot of noise is being made. Doing it all on this
contact walk as well. Molotov is going to die. He had no idea anyone could even be here.
And so Messi's rolled out the red carpet.
Sure, bomb is a long way away, but Furia don't know that.
For all they know, Vitality can have three guys in the bomb site.
And so Vitality are cautious, clearing long together,
but they have no reason to be concerned.
The kind of the only way to save this round is to be proactive,
clear this position and clear it quickly.
Without this kill to Messi, the round just falls in Vitality's lap.
The kind that goes for the swing, that's a big frag.
Maybe there's still a chance.
The kind that's trying to give them one trying to give them some lifeline to hold on to in this round
Has support now arriving your kind on no longer alone, but he's gone in an instant playing through the smoke of fury a desperate play
The wall and desperate grass at the round slips away from them
This case, Serato really just going to try the same move, the same thing, smoke, walk
out into the open, flames it in, trade in places, case Serato!
Finally, something goes their way!
Love to see Fury go for that round, I think so many teams would be willing to save when
they lose Molodeutr Mezzi in that way, but Ykindor realises what's going on, that the
The bomb is very late, the vitality will focus B at the beginning of the round.
Flames delays the inevitable, big double in cover of the bomb bomb, but it matters not
when Keisaratu comes through the smoke with a clutch.
The kinder refusing to hand this final away.
I'm going to take a match to reignite hope.
One round, one clutch for Kcerato.
The tail ended 20-25, but Fury went on that streak with matches.
Kasarato did have some very impressive overpass games.
Feels like he might be a requirement to stand and deliver here.
All this talk around Molodoy.
If Kasarato can find his voice, you could still hope for something on this CT half.
Molodoy's going to be in the openness, right? He's going to be looking for the picks.
He's going to be stopping his A-hits, but Kasarato is all about clutching on this map.
He is the last to die on that B-bomb site.
And the last rotate into A.
94.
Flash with no peek on the back of it. Fallen just lies in wait.
That's the bomb now spotted. That's all the info here for the third spray.
Mezzi and Zyla have found a foothold.
Gonna be down to Yuri and Molodoy with the cover to try and shut this one down.
All the fury arrived. They'll play into the site.
They come looking and they've spotted Yuri out of the barrels.
Ya kindar up and over. Molodoy spotted in the heavens. One after the call.
It's the baby steps on your way to coming back in this final, but it had to start somewhere two rounds back to back breaking the money of vitality
Vitality right now laughing it off a bit of team damage. They're going to plan walking dry out being
But made no mistake about it that case or I took clutch
Has reignited furious hopes
And they've broken vitality's money for the moment
Kendo, this is crazy, they are all right here and that name reveals position, Mezzi tries
to punish, reflash, and you're Kendo back for more and he's got it in smates.
Multi-kill before Zywouz D connects.
Ordoi punish as well and Vitality's pistols should be put to bed.
Wow, Molotow is low on health and still taking fights.
It's a good sign.
Just nice to see them getting out from it.
You know, under the thumb of the Vitality game plan, you felt so restricted on some of
these previous maps.
You lost a lot of the confidence.
You weren't the team making moves anymore.
Seems like Furrier said, look, if we are going to go out, if this is how it ends, we're going
out on our terms. It's a very strong T side, but it would feel wasted if Furia were to break
back in with a strong CT half. Five is already, quote unquote, enough. But momentum makes
all the difference here for Furia. Vitality looking to cut back in, fall by, no orm.
Post-timeout.
Seeing those smiles quick to fade from Vitality as they recognize this is becoming a harder game by the round.
As X-Taz said after the last map, happy, but the job's not done.
He's ready for the boost!
He's seen these tricks before!
Just a different player stepping up and providing these entries every time.
Sometimes it's your Kindar roaming, Moldodoi now throwing his name into the conversation.
Another 5v4 for Furia.
It's a very fun A-Site setup.
These two together, and again a 5v4 untraded allowing Furia to sit comfortably in their
sights. Trying to stop this B-pop. Vitality changed their mind.
This is very late in the round. A lot of Scots wouldn't like to do this. You don't have any
control over the wards, eh? Is this a Molotov highlight or waiting?
Such a long rotation. It leaves you with very little time and you have to really believe that every angle you run into is going to be clear
Vitality have believed that the entire way running knife out to try and get here on a solid time limit
The kinders just missed that info on the jump. They're now closing in over the wards long Molotow
It doesn't know but he's getting pincet right now
They are right here. I'm ready to go income vitality. You get one step
You get one warning one chance to try and shut this down
5 rounds for Vitality and 4 right back in their face.
They have no business winning that so clean.
timings, misinformation, STILL your kinder and you're a multi-kill.
Vitality, getting a bit desperate towards the end of this T side.
Just drops a saved gun.
Your backs against the wall throughout. That's how this fourth map always goes.
Big question for me is how many rounds does it take for Fury to feel comfortable?
Life is already good on this T side, right?
But if you're able to snatch 7 in a row straight away back in the other direction, that will
pump you up.
It gives you something to go off of.
Feels like the minimum.
I'm ready for a B-Play here.
Nolan's got the right read, he's got four players down towards this lower end of the map and
so Vitalik might give them exactly what they're hoping for.
Straight into K-Sorato, running gun with a tech nine, he gets out after one, bomb dropped,
full and multi, shut them down.
Five rounds for Furia.
You called them baby steps, but now they're taking in their stride.
Recovering the half.
And it starts with that.
Kaseerato clutch, from there, you made each round cleaner than the last.
I shrunk down into that seat earlier on.
He wasn't enjoying his time on Nuke, but...
Finally, seeing some of that signature Furious Sheldon ship again.
Is there on their way to recovering this half?
Fight out in some disrespect.
Oh, this is a change.
Going in quick.
Are you ready for the up-tempo B here?
Cacerato certainly isn't in danger of getting caught out here.
There's the flash.
That's the one signal you get.
The rest of Furious are out of position.
Cacerato's going to be a one-man army.
Has to leave them in good shape if they want to win this round,
and he gets nothing done.
Crazy call to make,
But while they do it, Furia are four middle, fighting for bounce and control, every single player became Serato, and even he not ready.
Catches a whiff of ropes on short, it's too little, and it is too late.
Vitality run through the monster smoke, and steal a sixth round, or do they?
On the upside, with all these rounds being so damn clean, you feel like you have nothing to lose if you're Furia.
You're gonna have the AWP in the next, you're gonna have full rifles, so you get to give a round like this to try.
Just gotta run, already half gone.
a reality check here for Fallen out called in round number 11.
of these aggressive moves you've been willing to make at the beginning of the CT rounds
and so you can't have your faith shaken in that.
This time, the player's in the right place.
There's the line up for Fallen Outta Monster.
And he buys them precious seconds, as well as this advantage, five on three.
Kira yet ready to respond, going tier for tier with Vitality in this entire first half.
So who's been so patient, hoping that someone gets curious, someone plays for the info,
gives him a fight that maybe they shouldn't, and that fight is coming his way,
way your kinder never want to shy away from an engagement ends up giving one
to the side will walk play out through the monster title case around to and
fallen danger are getting lined up here fall in the block 35 seconds dying
lights of the round now course drops backs up so who moves around to join in
they know they have a man trapped on the right-hand side and the flash plays
not it they've given a kill away two versus four in this one and by Italian
trying to change things with seconds on the clock.
This is a last second change of heart.
Molodoy in place to deny.
One kill on the bomb will stop this round in its tracks.
Mishaw, they get in, but he nails it the second time around.
Zhaowu doesn't have the time to close this out.
Fury are even out on the half.
They still have fight left in them.
I
Vitality, they feel composed, they're feeling calm, bit of chaos out here towards long,
Apex unable to follow up and they're closing in on him, he'll get out with his.
Good block, a body block for your kinder, Waste, Messi's ammo and time puts things in
a three on three, Robs of course, nestled into an uncomfortable position, but he's gonna
hold for a flank, Furia won't commit, they walk towards this setup as I wound flames.
The front runners off vitality, and Furia walk away.
I always say Robson is exactly where he's supposed to be, exactly when he's supposed
to be there on this backstab. Could be a keen example of that. That's the bomb at the back
of the pack on Fulham. Had to go back and get it. That slowed your roll. That slowed
you down on this B-play. It's more time for Vitality to make their way over.
Okay, Serato and Mollidoy, it's the two stars. Never allowed to feel too comfortable. Assemble
what setup you can trust in this p250 to pick them off and in case the rato to
clutch up close oh moledoy lives up to his end of the bargain can't secure the
second that's where case of rato is meant to spring to life they don't crumble
They're going nowhere!
Furia with a pistol!
The start is second half!
A very difficult recovery in that B-bomb site with all the info for vitality.
But Furia are not done believing.
Fallen has a legacy to defend.
13 best of fives in a row.
The last time he lost at this very event, back in 2016.
For a guy like Fulvin, you know, you've been around so long, been at the cornerstone of
Brazilian Counter-Strike so long, you assume there's nothing this guy hasn't done.
This is the one outlier on that record, never getting the trophy here.
So a chance to even strengthen that legacy in the twilight years of his career.
And it never gets easy, right? He lost back in 2016 to Fnatic on the back of a sixth tournament, Winstreek.
And now, facing Vitality, the world's best in this final.
You've got to earn it.
Got to hold strong against this force.
Vitality have a funny way of making these work.
As he goes one for one.
The taste now arrives. Folks are good just to lock him out of it.
But all of a sudden, in comes a bloodthirst in Zairu.
Big kill.
Stun's a bleeding.
He's inspired Apex to try his hand at the same play.
X-Kill decides everything.
If you lose that opening fight, suddenly these CTs can start flushing their way past you.
An important one for Yuri to pick up.
Shadow spotted on the next and Yuri's a rock!
Robs can't play.
And so Furia will get to build upon this lead.
This would be a shocking victory.
And we're still not quite there yet waiting on vitality is going round to the CT side on their seven map win streak
On what is often known as the best half of Counter-Strike CT overpass
The fury are certainly making this interesting
One of the things it's beautiful here on this fourth map the idea that all the individuals were missing at the same time on
that one previous
well here it is the definition of a win by committee everyone at 10 kills
everyone's pulling their way so as you look down the line you see the guys
sitting next to you fighting just as hard as you are it's inspiring fury to
give this all they've got fall and chase back in the connector Yuri and stop the
Spill over, stop this from getting out of control, but he can't handle it.
Vitality always threatening, even when they're not meant to be.
This would be a death sentence, Molledoy.
Rops caught aggressive and not punished.
Just warned.
A tickle as the bomb moves back.
Yakindar here to punish.
Trying to out position Rops is a very hard game,
and Yakindar decides not to even take that fight.
Instead using the element as surprise you slip past them out here towards short to go and net that kill
The one that's meant to bring you in to the B site
He's even been given full warning about Zai Wu. Zai Wu against all of fury in this B site
He has no support right now. Five stacks down. Robbs backstabbed. Can they cross with the bomb?
Smoked down only way to get him off the angle and that bomb can now make it in
Robbs just a second late. So what could have been a game defining kill?
A couple of times now, a bomb still hasn't planted, 5-7 denied.
They search the frags, they find what they want, and they leave Robs once again at the
back of the pack.
Molodoy comes running for it.
Don't tell me that's opened up a clutch potential for Robs.
He's been left saving in so many of these rounds.
Is this another walk away?
Yes, it is.
Robs wants nothing to do with it.
You might be telling yourself it's the CT side, right?
This is the lesser of two evils.
It's the one where you're meant to final your success.
The pressure that Vitality are dealing with right now
is if their first rifle round isn't perfect, this can spiral.
That's often how these streaks get assembled on the T-Halves.
It's exactly what Vitality did to Furia in the first half of play.
It is feeling very worrying right now, just with how these rounds are going through.
I know we haven't seen a full buy here from Vitality on this CT half,
but Furia set four rounds away from making this a five-map affair.
Might be time to change your plans.
If you want to make this a way easier game, this is the round to win for Furia.
You don't want it to be a grind, if you want it to just be a comfortable bit of distance between you and Vitality, you don't let this one through.
We have a lot of map control already early in the round, taking calm, taking water.
Pushing back Vitality from middle.
So I lose all, Robs is right for a wait, Furia.
It's a good read of the game that you're going to be able to take this space early, knowing
that Vitality don't want to risk this very important come round on some aggressive move
while they're lagging behind.
Now that will change if this game closes up, but for now, Furia get to experience calling
from the front.
Got the cap.
Long taken.
No nades needed.
No announcement here.
In case Rota contains them.
Deep Smoke creates confusion.
This could go A, this could go B.
It's undecided and entry might just make the difference here for Furia.
Good damage on the spam. Drops playing to fade.
It all comes down to this.
Flames is in the perfect timing on this backstab.
And so if Rops is able to really divert attention,
is he able to withstand this?
Flames could do that much more damage.
He could wreak havoc.
They're not able to deal with him.
They can't contain him.
They can't stop him.
Flames bulldozes through Furia.
And round and wash.
Round done.
That's how Vitality break back through.
on a mad dash from Flames playing the perfect timing.
All the risks, all the rewards, full stack in the site, Flames walks behind them.
The last player you expect to shoot you in the back and Flames crushes Furia, giving
Vitality that chance to come back
You said yourselves avoid distress win that round and the game may fall into your hands and now fury a
force to force
Three gillials two pistols and a game that will be nine nine before you know it
Yeah, because one of these games where you can't take it to the money you have to match them
You have to outdo them
Easier said than done, against the current world best overpass on the CT side with number one of 20-25.
It's a little fast in here, Flames brings the fight to them and they miss that chance of the punish.
You now go to deal with Flames a little bit later.
Keisarato there to pick it up.
Layers to this defense though and they're all springing alive.
spring in a life, Mezzie. Big damage on a fall and steals himself away, waits for that flashbang.
Perfect synergy.
And Yuri now knowing about not long for this world is he's trapped out behind the sandbags.
So it gives him room to get away, but that's all this is. This is a retreat, this is a tail
between your legs. Gap closes. Save called. One round between Vitality and Furia.
Again, Vitality show their strength in numbers. Their trade potential incredible. Every time
Furia peek a player a second pokes their head back up. You could not get a free kill and
get away. You pay the price with your life. Monster set up.
Closes the gap.
One round and it feels like a formality now with 2K per player for Furia.
The prospect of fighting for the championship, fighting for the trophy on a fifth map of
the Nubis starting to dwindle.
You talk now, you got to experience cooling from the front, well that's now a honour that's been ripped away from Furia.
You can expect a bit more aggression, a couple more opening moves out of the Vitality Camp as this game closes up.
Apex, wall bang to find Fallen, oh and there's a follow up!
you've not even seen this guy and he's caused you so many problems they'll make
it through get into the site itself but they still got to deal with feeling a
little claustrophobic down here in the paint running into each other apex still
stands and delivers case the rato wrestles back what he can but it's not
enough as apex is on for the ace he does not play for the glory of himself
individually, he plays with the glory of this team. He's not thinking about it.
Mezzy there to take out that final man.
On Apex! He crates it.
Fell out of heaven and died.
Glory and not required.
But from a 9-6 lead to an even game, to a furious time-out, it is now or it is never.
Vitality steps away in their peripheral vision at the end of the stage.
That one just strikes classic.
Flames making another aggressive move here as they're really trying to put the squeeze on Furia in the tail end of this series.
Again, more aggression from Flames, yields more opening kills.
Once again that punish doesn't come through.
And so shut down convincingly off Urea on this partial.
Not even a dent made, barely points of damage, dealt the way, off Vitality in this mad dash
to the finish line.
This is what you were worried about when you couldn't secure that first rifle when the
The flames backstabbed that monstrous 4k came through.
It paves a bloody path to the finish line and a path of vitality and now walking down.
A path they walked so many times before.
It all started in Katowice to the near-perfect season, to the near-perfect year, nine trophies.
Counter-strike, loyalty.
Once again, within reach.
54, but they saw Wops seeking through the smoke on that fade. They punish.
53. Okay, no excuse to let this one get away from you. This might be one of the best chances you get
to recover this map.
ChickyPay, 8-packs. Oh, jump shot again!
to recover this map.
Chichi play 8-packs.
Oh, jump shot again!
Someone up there is smiling down upon Furia
with some of the luck that's gone their way in this fourth map.
Oh, you still got to earn it in Saewoo and Nezzy.
No round is guaranteed.
And they're splitting the defense.
I don't think many other teams would
like to do this.
It says Saewoo will eventually drop on down.
It allows you to save if you go into the other bombsite, you can get away with your guns,
but how about two sites at the same time?
Fallen goes probing, looking to confirm or deny the stack.
Oh, what if it's better than that?
Kill on a Mezzi.
Now you're going to hear that, so I will walk fire off.
And you know that A site is wide open for the taking.
He's trapped, he has to fight his way out of this box.
Fallen backs up, pistol put down.
Fallen shows him how it's done. Three kills from the legendary captain.
Fury after back-to-back contact plays through the short smoke and just getting shut down.
Finally find a solution.
There's something about this tournament, about this trophy, maybe it's...
Because it's one that all these older boys remember watching others lift.
But it really does seem to bring the best out of the fallen Anapex, both hitting very hard.
Both at 14 kills a piece in map 4.
Kowarwin's spam from fallen as he moves in a pole position.
Another advantage for Furina to work with.
Taking down the top performer of Flames, extinguished in this B site.
I happen to do this where the whole time they've been on the back foot economically, they let
Vitality build into this CT half. They've taken the path of most resistance. It would
only make a win here. That much more impressive if they're able to get it.
and if, as I will admit, Molly behind him he fights forward. They go up long.
They're going to bypass this AWP for now, but these windows of opportunity, they're only
temporary versus a team like Vitality and very quickly this whole lot long has been
plugged. Two players here. Molly early. There is time for Furia, but not forever. 30 seconds.
Jump spot. Might have caught Molotov. Fallen's walking up with a bomb right now. It's up
Pistol is off to provide cover, but falling needs his entries.
His team is so far away, that smoke might just signal the end.
You've got to go through, you're hoping for an opening, Fallen can't provide, he's in
this battle all alone.
His team are nowhere near.
Bomb now lost and a desperate blast, but Melodo charges in, the wheels fall off and
this one gets away from them.
Failure to launch for Furia.
A couple of ugly rounds with pistols, but now they spill onto the rifle as well.
You don't get man advantages very often in this head-to-head.
And that is one squandered opportunity.
Fall and center the walls.
And the pressure, paramount here, as Furia burned their final time out of this fourth
map.
You know what, when you're talking championship runs, you're talking lifting trophies, it
is those small mistakes that add up.
Mistakes compound, round just gets too strung out, it all slows down too much.
Black in the usual finesse, so much time chasing rocks, that's the fear that this guy strikes
into the heart of mind of every player he faces.
He sent you on a wild goose chase.
Looking for ghosts, and now it might be your time in the great beyond because of it.
Who else would you want in the front of the pack looking for this opening kill?
It's Saewoo attempting the 5v4 again, trying to force an advantage for Team Vitality.
This is not the angle you expect to see an AWP in, but Saewoo has his back covered.
Vitality getting toyed with on this topside, flashes, smokes.
They don't believe it.
Pectoritation down low.
Lurksmoke on monster, no one uses it.
Fury is just ambling around right now.
Minimal map control at the 42nd mark.
They have toilets to clear and they don't have enough for an execute.
This is, again, going to be Zaewoo and Robs, tasked with defending their site.
All the youths have been entrusted to fallen. Robs trying to find a time.
Kindle will meet him here on.
Advantage taken. Rotates getting scrambled.
And Zaewoo, he's the make-or-break.
He's the out-of-the-mode.
The last bas-shooter resists.
Utena, the topside delivers.
Buying time for Apex to move in.
Fury out, getting sent packing.
Oh, oh, oh, turning heads!
And now you stand on the finish line.
All this left to do is cross it.
The game takes the game.
Championship points.
From perfection, from Zywoo.
Four shots connect on this top site.
Ceiling furious death warrant.
Ceiling their fate on this stage.
Zai Wu stands tall and 10 years on for Fallen, 13,
05's later facing the same fate yeah the one challenge he could never
overcome the one trophy the one tournament he never got to leave a mark on
might have been well we got our first proper look at following what his boys
could bring to the table all those years ago
It won't be remembered as a mark of victory for Furia.
And you know the next peak can cost you everything.
One overzealous move, one mistiming, one drawn out into the open and that's it.
Your time here is over.
Everyone is scared.
moving slow. This is where your heart's beating. Hands are trembling. Because your world is
about to come crushing down around you. Walk the walk right in. Element surprise is all
fury I have got. So in steady until it's not and here comes the push, Syro again
continues to stand tall as he dominates. There is no stopping him. You can't hide from it.
The Vitaliy era is upon us. Very few individuals have had the honor to lift this trophy and
Even fewer, lifting it back to back.
The old Kingsbourne winners, the superstars to the elite,
but it only remembers the victors.
And so boy, oh boy, does it know a lot about vitality.
Crowned in the kingdom of Krakow,
vitality back to back.
And Zaiwu, with his best event yet,
Blowing last year out of the water,
Robs three time winter champion,
once with bays, two with vitality,
and they take Counter-Strike's oldest piece of silverware.
The throne has been defended.
The Vitality banner flies high for all to see across the Torah.
across the Toron. You're back to back. I am Winter Champions, the Kings of Counter
Strike. It's team fight, Zalini!
Well, as the confetti falls down here on the stage, the trophy's been lifted, this classic
trophy. First off, congratulations. It's another moment on this unbelievable journey you've
been on. Congratulations.
Thank you, thank you, back to back. Even though that's not Catalypse, that's Cracow.
I'm really proud of our voice. I mean, I was sure that he's the best player in the world today and this event.
If whoever is against that, fuck yourself.
I do have to say, they made you work for that third map, didn't they? It was in the balance right till the end.
I was, actually it was amazing. I felt like he didn't miss anything, he was moving everywhere.
That was such a joy to play with him today.
I think it's the best performance he ever done in the big tournaments and yeah, that's all the good ones.
That's some honor considering the performances that you and Saiba and the rest of the team have had.
Let's just talk about this trophy. Fair enough the same trophy you've retained it.
It's only been done twice before over this 20-year history.
It was a year ago that I was joined to you. Different arena but same trophy.
What has that year been like? Has it been from the outside unbelievable to watch?
But yeah, I think this amazing team is making history with our dogs.
It's been so many big trophies together.
We closer from the second group slam ever.
So yeah, I mean, I'm speechless once again.
My team is amazing.
We keep winning.
We lost at Mirage.
We shouldn't never have lost it.
And we keep just playing amazingly well all together and I'm really proud of my boys today.
When you did lose Mirage, which as you say, they came back, they fought for it, I know
you were disappointed.
What do you say to the team?
I was actually mad at my guys because we let the game go away.
We didn't play as a team, we lost so many injuries by playing as individuals and just
seeing we stepped up overall, we just played good and the guys know me, they know I can
react badly to them sometimes, but that's the way I am, they understand me and they
stepped up, that's all I want.
I want to ask you one more question. When I did an introduction to you a couple of days ago,
I said to you the best there is, and that's without doubt, you are the best there is right now.
I said, what will it take to make you the best there ever was? What will that take?
Well, at least I won the most trophy in Counter-Strike.
Now I did one more major to a co-order, Dupree.
But yeah, I want to make my name in this story of Counter-Strike. I loved this game for 20 years
And I will not stop loving it because look at how amazing it is to be in front of you guys, so thank you everyone.
And that's why they love you, put your hands together. The winners of this trophy in this new home, they are the best team there is right now.
Put your hands together, the intellects dream champions of Krakow, it's Vitality!
It's vitality's era and we are still living in it.
Their reign of terror by no means over, in fact, even more dominant form from Zaru than
he showed throughout the entirety of last year, where it all started in 2025, voicing
Counter-Strike's classic and Katowice now totaling 10 trophies as they defended in
2026. Absolutely incredible from Vitality, such a dominant grand final. Zaybu had his most
dominant landmatch his performance at ESL Pro League season 19 and obviously at a tournament
of this caliber it's a completely different story in a big arena. I mean we're talking about a game
where he has doubled the kills from Robs. That's just the luxury that Vitality has as a
lineup. That's why Zaibu is without a doubt the best player in the world and that's why Vitality,
the strength of their team, but even one of their stars can go missing almost completely and they
still make it look effortless. And that is just what makes them so good. You know, one thing is just
how good Zaibu is and how he just turns games around by himself, the amount of multi-clothes,
the amount of situation that he just managed to sell. I also, at the same time, being in a
fantastic team that you know he's he's one of a kind and he's I'm proud to have been sharing this
with this guy it's it's it's an incredible stint and I mean you just gotta just take a bow for
my tail you know man it's incredible what they have achieved and what they continue to prove to
you. It just talks to me to create about having this longevity as a team right we now say that
they have 10 trophies as this roster 10 incredible runs at that as well as series we're in streak
that so many would be jealous of to begin 2025 do you feel it in the waters do you think 20
326 is still going to be there. Yeah, I mean as this was probably the starting case where I can nail in this one
You know get even closer to the assert right slam
You know that is that is a really good step in the right direction
The thing for my tell is an apex is at a time and time again
You only get this chance once as a player and as a team
This is this is this is an improvement
It just really reminds me of my time in Australia's it is it is really a team that is
Functioning in so many different ways than in the improvements that the team just constantly makes and that they just continue to be this down
it is something that is very hard to replicate.
Talking about your time in Astralis, people maybe forget, you know, Astralis didn't fall apart,
they didn't necessarily, you know, get surpassed by other teams.
It took a global pandemic for that team to get dethroned really in a way,
and it might just take an even more catastrophic global event for Vitality to be dethroned.
I hope that's not going to happen though. I hope not something.
We've also got to give it to Flamesy. I mean, obviously Zairu is the frontrunner in every
can agree but talk about showing off on stage today as well and being that secondary supportive
star to Zywoo. Again the strength of the team anyone can step up and if someone has a slightly
slower day a teammate will make up for it right. Zywoo I think definitely was crucial on Inferno
that's where it could have maybe gone and closed there 1-0 down in the grand final right and he
comes up with an absolutely carry performance from that point on you know it didn't seem like
like Furia was really able to find a way to put up a fight even you know unfortunately
for them you know people will look at stats and what not I don't really think it matters
for Furia I think just as a team they weren't there today you know their players just didn't
have a lot of opportunities on the server.
Tell me about this legacy that Vitality are forging on this very trophy only two other
teams before them have gone back to back and it's been ten years since Fnatic managed
to do that as well it's incredible.
It is definitely, you know, winning trophies back to back, you know, that's cement, that's
cement your history.
Well, we need to cement our DHR MVP and of course that could be none other than Zaru
a legendary performance starting 2026 as he ended 2025.
Another stage, another trophy and of course another MVP to his name as we were just talking
about part of only three teams to go back to back at the Intel Extreme Masters Winter
championship and he cements it with his best ever arena rating of 1.59 so let's hear from him
do you know i just said as i were just now i said hey what a performance and you said
i still don't believe it well you should believe that you've been so well for so long now talk us
through what it felt like to play in that final it's amazing to be honest i mean also to play with
this team to have this confidence back to to know what we came out of with this team as well so
That's an amazing feeling. Thank you guys for this night. It's been amazing and I love that.
And I think what's amazing to see, and I said this to Apex, you all seem to have a smile on your
face at all times. You seem to really like each other. Of course that's the goal. We spend most
of the time together with our family. So we need to love our teammates, our staff. So that's the
goal of the team. And on a personal level, the last 365 days from where we were the last time you
you lifted this trophy, what's it been like for you?
Amazing, the one is like, I couldn't believe that, so obviously it's amazing and just want
to thanks my teammates, thanks to everyone who support me, the fans and that's it.
Well I think you were very much a unanimous decision for this, it's the MVP, the DHL MVP
trophy, this is for just the grand final, your MVP, DHL MVP, Zayu!
You saw his form couldn't get any better, but it just has.
You talked about it, Janko. Matching is EPL rating, but this is his best ever performance
inside an arena, and that takes a special caliber of player degree.
It does. I mean, it's incredible that he keeps doing it, you know. Sometimes Saibou still
manages to surprise us. That's like, I think that is probably sets the tone, right, that
he, with the caliber of player that he is, and he's doing it time and time again, he
still manages to go out and to do this time of, you know, performance. It's absolutely
incredible to see that a guy can, I wouldn't say read about himself, but just keep playing
at this high level. And also, even when the rest of the team wouldn't say they're missing,
but maybe like that little extra firepower to bring him all the things, then he just
picks up the slack and just simply plays some of the best contact we could never see.
It's incredible to witness, and we do have him indeed joining us up here on the desk,
our DHL MVP and champion that is Zairu. Incredible stuff in the arena tonight. First of all,
massive congratulations. You just sent it to OJ yourself. You couldn't believe it. You couldn't
I still don't believe it. Everything I could do in terms of individually, the movement,
everything was working for me this night. I could do anything in my mind and it's going
to work so that's really where to at this moment and I was just smiling trying to enjoy
the moment because it's really bad to play in 500 like this and it's a good team so we just need to
enjoy the moment and what are you doing with all the MAPs? Why are you putting them at home? Are
you putting it in like a cabinet because no that cabinet has to be full at this time?
But I think it's okay because I have no space anymore to be honest. I'm gonna ask Matai to
again do something with that. Zaeva you definitely were in that full state today I just want to know
after how that map won went, you know, did you feel, were you pissed off a little bit?
You know, you guys had a big lead, did you feel like, okay, on the second map, I'm going
to do everything I can to not let this slip away as Mirage did?
I mean, after Mirage we knew we fucked up a little bit.
We didn't play together, we lost a lot of entry without any trade.
We couldn't manage to find a good one for us.
So obviously after that we've been full faith, but after that we knew that we could play such a fantastic game together and that's what Pax said, that after that we just play together, we knew we are stronger team than them.
If we play together, danger delivery will come and that's what happened.
There's no doubt that you guys are playing amazing counter-strike and probably some of the best counter-strikes we've ever seen.
How are you looking at it? Did you ever think that this would ever be this good?
Did you ever think that this could actually be so trust an incredible team when you picked up Robson at the end?
Nah, I won't say we knew he was going to work in Stanley.
We knew Robson is one of the greatest players like he ever touched this game.
But having this... I won't say we'll try but winning this kind of tournament every time we can and...
I don't think we believed it before, but right now we feel really good together, we don't think to change or anything
because we know the capacity of the team or we know every time we are losing a game is not because we are playing good,
it's only our better self, we can only improve.
We talk a lot about you have to keep finding motivation, right? You have to keep setting new goals for yourself.
for you, you probably just enjoy playing and you don't think a lot about these
things. But probably Dan does it enough for everyone else on the team. I mean
every time he sees Dupree, he points at him. I'm coming for you, I'm coming for
you. So is he the main source of sort of motivation and that goal setting for
your team coming into this year? Of course Apex is the motivation for the team. I mean
every time he set a new goal for himself, he's also setting a new goal for him. So
So that's also pushes us to play better every game, every tournament, so obviously having
a captain, having a player like this inside of the team push you to always be a player-player
because you always want to feel that.
And if I told you that at this event you matched your career best event rating, what would
you say to that?
I don't know.
To be honest, I don't know what rating I have.
Even before starting this tournament, that's not really something I care about because
You don't know what can happen, you can have bad games, stupid games or good games, that's not...
That's performance, right there, that's performance.
You take nose at home, please.
I'm no mathematician, Dupree, but I know we were counting in a calendar year, right?
10 trophies, but it's been 364 days since you last listed the Katowice trophies, so you're 10 for 10 now, technically.
Is that alright to bring?
I'm coming.
Well, I mean, like, yeah, they're coming.
But then again, if there's anyone that should be allowed to be coming that close, it should be this.
Zahra, we were just perplexing upon this past year, right?
Because we always talk about Katowice being the catalyst for an incredible year for Vitality.
What have you learned as an individual in the past year?
A lot of things. I mean, I don't think I learned anything in terms of individually because
I was good before joining Vitality, but as a team, I think I'm always learning.
Like I always do some mistakes in terms of communication and trades.
And that's really important to always have a nice on it and be able to play as a team
because that's something you can always realize on it when you are done on a game.
And you can always come back if you have a strong team and you chose that.
So always good to have this.
I know we're always greedy and counter-strike looking at the next thing.
But the ESL Grand Slam, I mean, it's right there.
You only need to win one more event.
Obviously you're not attending EPL, but potentially another event.
I mean, I imagine that's not even on your mind right now,
but being the first two time back to back.
Yeah, but even before this tournament,
we are not even thinking about the back to back,
like at the Viet-Sheru Krakow.
Like, it's not something in our mind,
we are just playing game by game,
because we know how hard it is to win a game.
Even though we are playing against whoever,
because we know this game is really close,
everyone is shooting greats, everyone have a good team,
so we are thinking game by game,
I mean, it's like having the next tournament, like the next tournament.
You're going to be calling teams from Pro League if someone wants to talk out, so you're asking.
Never change, I would say. It's clearly working.
Just one final question, I know everybody always asks it to you, but you have an extended vitality
on Taraj here with you at this tournament as well. Obviously, so many people supporting at home.
Anything that you would like to say to everybody here who's been cheering for you?
Thank you for the support. It's really unbelievable to have you guys close to us, so we...
We really appreciate it to have a government-led French guy or all the fans traveling for us.
It's been amazing, so thank you guys for that and we are keeping for doing any tournament
as well because we have a tight team and we are here for that.
Congratulations, Zybu. It's always an absolute pleasure. We'll let you get off because there's
plenty of fans waiting for you to sign whatever they have waiting in store for you. Once again,
Vitality, your champions of the Insulix Dream Masters crack-off 20-26.
incredible form and Zawoo, I don't think he'll ever change from being a humble guy
I'm sure you've experienced that first time playing with him to preach, but it's always about the team for him
Yeah, but we don't want him to change you know, he's such a lovely guy
I mean imagine being such a lovely guy with such a lovely personality then being so good at the game and just
embracing it like that, you know
He's he's one of my favorite teams of all time and that's for a region not only what he shows inside the server
But definitely outside. He's a he's a one of a kind
Yeah, definitely a one-on-one.
Counter-Strike has never had a player as talented and as selfless and, you know, team-oriented and whatnot.
And I think that's something that flies a little bit under the radar when we talk about best player in the world.
And we thought people like to focus on the statistics, but I mean, it's also the intangibles that really do play a role in moments like these.
And he's a guy that is never going to make your day worse as a teammate,
is never going to be a person who causes any problems within the team,
is going to come in and be the same jovial guy he is,
whether he has five kills in a map or 55 kills.
And I think that's something that's just so rare in Star Players,
to nail that combination of no ego outside of the server,
but enough ego on the server.
And this is not the same as I will from a year and a half ago,
from two years ago, right?
Like this is a guy who takes matters into his own hands,
who sees when the team is maybe struggling,
who carries more load, takes more responsibility
and has just done it for Vitality
so many times in this past year.
He just deserves everything coming at him.
I mean, it's so deserving, so many.
He works hard for it inside the server.
But I think we all know how good Simon was inside the server.
I think you get to learn the nickname,
but you don't really get to know the metric on the other side.
I got to learn with my time in Vitality, he was all there for the team, he was all there
for me and it's some of those traits that really stands out, specifically when you know
how he is as a person.
Yeah, team of Dream Deck and Imagine in Zawoo, unfortunately for the other side of things
there with Vitality winning, Furia now exit the Intel Extreme Masters crack-off.
So let's get a few closing thoughts, courtesy, a full one.
Was a tremendous fight out of Furia but it was just not enough and I'm sure that that's
fallen has it has a lot to say right so let me just open the floor I wish I had a
lot to say it sucks pretty good play the grass the great team they simply play
super well they're dominant I think they were playing with a lot of a
confidence going for pushes try to take us out of our comfort zone sometimes it
was working sometimes they're getting punished but overall a little bit
unhappy with the way we play today I don't think we played through our
strengths I don't think we had the greatest resilience that we show in the
other events and it's just against opponents like that if you are not yet
best we have no chance and today we're far off from any.
There were some moments of brilliance of course right we think back to that first map you have
played so many best of fives do you think maybe the mentality was faltering was there anything you
saw that you thought okay this we really have to fix for the next best of five and the next play
of finals we play. Yeah there's definitely some internal things that we made mistakes today
but those things are internal we're gonna talk between ourselves and it was only one part of
for the reason of the defeat, you know, there's many more things into it.
So we can only look at ourselves.
Everyone can look at how you behave during the match and what you can do better
for the next ones. It's all about it.
And in the end, you are not only playing against top opponents,
but you're in a constant battle against yourself, too.
And sometimes you just don't win it. It's OK.
Absolutely. Now, we still have so much to be excited for, for Furia.
You guys have talked so openly about that.
Despite the success in 2025, you're going to try to change things.
You're going to try to level up.
So, what can you say about the future of FURIA in 2026?
We're looking ahead to play more competitions.
We're going to be in a poker next week.
There's many more tournaments to play, and competitions are going to be always that high.
It will be always that hard.
Playing in spirit on the same finals was absolutely incredible and difficult as well.
We're two rounds away from losing a group stage to the Mongols.
So, you know, there's a lot of teams play super well at the moment,
and it's just vital to play a little bit better than everyone else.
So, it's up to us to try to challenge them.
And, apparently, it's going to be a little bit of a competition from what happened last year.
last year so we got to keep fighting. Looking forward to it, Oriano, thank you so much.
You just simply cannot love Fallen, right? Even humble, eloquent, in defeat. I mean, he's been
in this situation so many times and he said to us just yesterday, Peter, it feels like a win for
him to just be here, for him to just have this team around him and that's what I want to see more
of for Furia and Fallen, heading into Train 26. I really think Fallen is just so grateful to be here
and he said himself that no, he's coming to an end of his career.
He knows he's not going to be playing for maybe the next three, five years.
So he knows that, you know, his time is sort of up, you know,
so all the experience that he can now have playing these great arena games,
fighting for the trophies that he potentially ever thought he was going to be fighting for,
you know, that's that's something you really got to take in.
And I think he's doing that that you can feel that whenever he's always so
grateful for the players around him, they want to make sure that he can travel
the world and fight for these trophies, but also his teammates, you know,
he's always putting up a smile regardless of if he's losing out.
and let's just do this again that it's been 10 years since you've also played in the final.
So I think it's all on the house and we'll always be one for the future.
Yeah, Fiora just unfortunately not up to the task today.
You know, we were painting this as a banger and 140 ages, but it didn't turn out to be so, you know,
they really struggled, especially on T-side. Outside of that,
Pistoron and Conversion on Overpass, they haven't won consecutive T-side rounds this whole game.
And that's just not going to be something you're going to get away with
against a team of Vitality's calibre. They even did on one map, but that was
unfortunate to get for this final. Do you think this is the final year that we
see Fallen competing at the top level? Does it depend on obviously how Furia's
results go or what are you thinking about? I think so, I think regardless of
the results. I think if Furia is the number one team at the end of this year
that's just Fallen going out on a high, you know. He's talked a lot about, a lot
of his life has been around Fallen and Gabriel has had to take a step back for
But at some point Gabriel will have to become a main character.
And I'm just hoping that Furyak can continue where they left off last year and be a contender.
And show us some exciting counters, right? Because I think we'll all be there all for it.
I can definitely relate to that, you know. That you do sometimes have to let your nickname, you know,
pave the way for you, but then you have to leave your own personality behind.
That's what I had to do last summer, when I decided to hang up the mouse and decide to retire, you know.
And I think for Falling he can be proud of whatever happens, right?
whatever happens with him and wherever he's gonna go he's gonna find success
because the brand that the name that he's created for himself is it's
definitely up there and it's just been a complete honor to have him competing and
also be able to compete against him for so many years. 100% I know I cried when
you were a child but I'm gonna cry equally as hard for when Pauline decides to do that so I
hope it's not any time soon but smiles as we look on forward to the rest of the
calendar year of course this was only the first stop for the Intellect Street Masters
but next on the list, Yanko is gonna be ESL Bro League now there are a few
tickets remaining so make sure you're getting your hands on those if you want
to be with us in Stockholm. We always have fun at EPL maybe there's gonna be a
little few differences here and there some exciting things I can't confirm or
deny anything right now but playoffs if you want to join us there it's a good
time. Yeah it's an interesting mix online now for the groups but we'll have the
crowd back for the actual playoffs and for the we'll have the land portion all
it happening so yeah pro league is always fun for us different sort of a broadcast different
sort of an approach but yeah still going to be a good tournament. It's always an absolute pleasure
to join Janko Dupri it is been an honor to have you back for one of the trophies that you lifted
twice in your career I know it was an emotional trophy walk out for you it was just such an
honor to have you do that so I just want to say thank you so much for joining us thank you to
everybody at home who tuned in for the duration of the event as well. And last but by no means
least, thank you to the entire production squad for putting on a fantastic event once again
as we open up a new chapter of the Intel Extreme Masters Winter Championships here in Krakow.
The emotions are looking damn good.
From top to bottom, they dominate!
TURN UP!
I love the best museum!
I love it!
Let's go!
Look around, how many fucking people are watching us, enjoy guys!
It's in a good position, we're gonna need to get a lot from it, there's the lineup!
Pressure ups and falling, there's nothing missing gonna do with the rifle, flames just a one man army!
Yesterday, against Spirit, game got fucking close bro, it was line 3 beside you, so go to the end!
Could come down to the double orbs in this retake.
Oh, Mollinoy's missed that timing, but it won't matter.
Oh, oh, Mollinoy, that's lightning fast!
The game now rests on Mollinoy's shoulders!
He doesn't make an undempressure!
And Yuri down here in the pit, sandwiched off both sides by Stav,
Kinda and Keisarano open a combine!
They're just gonna snub this man and say,
Oh!
Hodo is shot from death, messy up top case and coming through he knows!
He's gone around! With that maybe the game!
Vitality, Dominate, on noon! Flames can do that much more damage, he can wreak havoc!
They're not going to deal with him! They can't contain him! They can't stop him!
Flames! Bulldoze is through Furia!
And Zywoo, he's the make or break! He's the elbow!
The last bastioner is the Furia Gaze, setbacking all the wrong turning heads!
You're back to back!
I'm out of winslet champions!
The kings of Counter-Strike!
Maybe I could eat you high
Oh baby you're lovely, every day.
Are we ready?
Yeah, already.
Merci, merci, merci, congratulations.
Thank you, thank you very much.
How was it?
It was a grueling before mapper in the end.
Should have probably been three,
but I mean we like to make it exciting in the end.
I think Mariah should have gone our way,
I'm just happy we closed the hole in the end, I think the way we play, the way we bounce back up to the first map, yeah, super happy.
Tell me a little bit about that, right, because that was a horrible way to lose the first map, but to bounce back aside, who did what?
No, I think, yeah, in the first map we kind of identified straight away that we just, yeah, we kind of bit too chaotic in the late rounds, not making good plans together,
and we said up to this map that we just need to be a bit more calm, make sure that even when we've got the lead, we make good plans together, communicate a bit more,
and that's what we tried to do in the next few maps and it works out I think yeah
Mirage was just the first map of the best of five can sometimes be a little bit crazy and that's what it was
First of many?
Yeah I mean it's a good start to the year
I'm happy that we got the back to back in Cracow well in Poland it's always cool so
yeah hopefully for more
Congrats
Hello, what's up? I talked to you at the start of the day but I'm guessing you're a bit more happy now. Tell me about the mess of fire.
Well, the best of life was weird because we lost Mirage in a way we should not have, we were very very frustrated and you know, I think it's the map we just went there on the T side of Mirage and they came back and you know that's on us and that's on them for playing better than us.
For us other than that, I think the communication and the teamwork was very smooth for the rest of the maps and we've made it here in the end and I think, yeah, just winning this trophy once again.
It's been critical, it has a special place in my memories and I will stay in the cabinet of special trophies.
Racking up the prizes here in Poland specifically.
Hey, I saw that you have some people here supporting you in real life and stuff.
I know that doesn't happen that much because you guys travel so much, but how awesome is that?
You know, how how love do you feel?
Actually, this is the like the personally I had the like the biggest
Personal crowd for my family coming here like six people coming over. It was quite cool
You know to see everyone here
The most I've ever had is like two with like, you know my girlfriend comes to a lot of events
But yeah, they come to the special ones like this one in track. Oh, and yeah
It's even more special to win it and it's just a
magical moment to you know win not your family at the side and watching and
supporting it. Absolutely beautiful how many are you gonna win this year? We
haven't put a number on it you know we want to keep it up in the air you know
sky's the limit we don't want to put any numbers I think you know the start of the
year is so far as good not gonna jinx anything so you know we're gonna work
and we'll see what the mother brings us.
So far so good, thank you so much.
Flamesy!
Congratulations!
Thank you very much, it's a big emotion there.
Yeah? Bigger than usual?
I don't know why this one means so much.
It's like, this arena was the first major I watched in CS,
it was the PGL Krakow major,
and that's why I got so much pressure into the game,
I feel like, and when we played the semi-final yesterday,
I feel like I don't have a connection to this stage and you know maybe to some extent like I really want to wear
Because this is something that sparked
Something in me and I'm so happy we won here and you know for a while
They were playing good with a top opponent and we lost my match like absolute noobies
So I'm happy that we managed off of that to win the best of five
It goes so fast for you guys you go from tournament to tournament from victory to victory
Do you have ever chance to stand still and because you were just talking about watching the major here way back?
When do you ever have time to realize that you became the person that you always wanted to be on the stage?
It will take some time to swallow it a bit, but you know we have an event in three days, I think.
So we're gonna finish that one, then we have some days off to kind of enjoy the time and that's what we're gonna do.
Probably like a small vacation, take time off, and then you get to enjoy it.
I think last year we won, like we won a lot of tournaments in the beginning of the season,
And I think just that in December I kind of realized what we have accomplished as a team
So it's gonna take a while, but obviously we're
me myself I'm very happy with this one because it's you know, I
Won't cut of it. I won't call on I won the major
But this one is a is like the new cut of it and it's a pleasure to win it back to back
I had it in my head before starting the match that last year spirit one two year ago spirit one
Then they came to us and played the finals and I didn't want to be kind of like losing that final and going back
back to that pattern, so I'm happy that we just won it.
Happy for you guys as well.
I'm asking everybody, but so how many trophies this year?
How many we won last year?
You didn't do one more...
14!
Okay, I wish.
This year, I don't know, it has to be either six or seven.
Yeah.
We're the majors in there.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
Two majors.
Yeah.
Anything else you want to say?
No, thank you very much for everybody who cheered for me home and everybody was in the arena.
It was a really nice tournament and...
Yep.
Bye bye.
We were up 9-3 and I managed to have a good comeback because we take the game a bit too easy, so it's always dangerous to play against Raya when Xayah is like this.
He told me a bit about playing versus Moloz, I'll try to shield you from that spotlight because he's really exciting to watch, right?
Of course he's no Xayah, yeah, so what do you think about it?
I mean, you can say he's a shiny player, he can make the difference whenever he wants and that's why he's making also like a good upper.
Like, he's 1v2 on Mirage when he's winning it, it's really impressive to win this kind of round.
And he's still young, so he will learn individually and as a team as well.
So it will be dangerous to play against him in the future.
Yeah, but he's not the go yet and you had an amazing tournament overall.
Tell me a little bit about what enabled you to play like some of the best CS out of you we've seen in recent times.
Just when you play confident with the team, confident with yourself as well, that's all I'm feeling right now.
I don't think I did anything else, I didn't play more this match or more face-it or more anything.
When you have the fresh mindset, when you feel good with your team, it's always easier to play.
It looks like it. Congratulations and thank you.
This is a massive group business, but he's no content with just the Nexus kill.
He will protect you!
And it's all done!
I'm trolling quick!
Unbelievable rune with a 4-0 victory over Clash.
And they did it again!
In the Black Matter!
It's FAB!
Give it up for your intel, Extreme Masters!
The Intel Xtreme Masters Krakow 2026 brought to you by ESL in partnership with Intel.
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It starts with a dream, with a team you barely know, in an amateur official that feels like
the grand final, where practice becomes progress, and every loss feels like a lesson.
When will your journey begin?
Baby don't talk at me, we don't have to say
A word to conquer is the sun to come out to fly
I'll remain there
I know we belong, we magnify
It's more than the man he is in my life
All that it touches, time's gone
I pull a switch, it's me home
I miss my house, it's got a thousand hours to see
Baby don't look for me, we don't have to try
I'm all ready with them until I last goodbye
We've got so much time
I don't need to dream or fantasize
I can't stop just to realize
All that it took just time to go
I'm gonna reach this deep hole
Let me kiss my life
All that it touches turns gold
Oh, for the winter's sake, oh
Finally smile
You know
All that it touches turns gold
Oh, oh, let it just stay
Oh, oh, let it stay
Oh, let it stay