Team Vitality’s Legendary Win Streak: How It Happened? Tragedy at BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025?
Vitality made Counter-Strike history in 2025 by establishing the second-longest win streak of 30 consecutive matches, claiming six prestigious S-tier tournaments and Intel Grand Slam Season 5. Their dominance seemed unshakeable, but at BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, the streak unexpectedly ended with a defeat to Brazilian team Legacy. This article tells the story of Vitality’s path to the top, key moments of their triumph, reasons for the sensational defeat, player comments on their achievements, and future prospects.
Chapter 1. The Arrival of ropz: The Transfer That Changed Everything
At the beginning of 2025, Vitality made a transfer that became a sensation in the esports world: Robin “ropz” Kool moved from FaZe Clan to Vitality completely free of charge. This move can boldly be called one of the most genius moves in modern CS history, for which the organization’s management deserves a standing ovation. FaZe, after an unsuccessful 2024, couldn’t retain the star whose contract simply expired. Vitality, without spending a cent, acquired a world-class player known for his versatility, accuracy, and composure in crucial moments. ropz, commenting on his transfer, noted: “I wanted to play on a team where I can grow and win. Vitality gave me this opportunity, and I feel like we’re made for each other.”
The Estonian fit perfectly into the roster, complementing star sniper ZywOo, experienced leader apEX, as well as flameZ and mezii. This transfer became the catalyst for Vitality’s 2025 dominance. Management’s ability to use market opportunities without spending money earned admiration from the community. ropz is a ready-made superstar who didn’t need adaptation, and his unique style would fit seamlessly into any team, allowing the squad to immediately reach peak form.
Chapter 2. Early Setback and Closing Gestalt
2025 began disappointingly for Vitality. At Bounty 2025 Season 1 in January, the team reached the playoffs but lost in their first match to Eternal Fire in the quarterfinals. apEX later admitted: “I don’t know what was happening with the team at the beginning of the year. We needed time to find our game.” This failure became a call to action for them.
Already in February, they began their historic win streak at IEM Katowice 2025, one of the most prestigious tournaments in CS2. Vitality confidently claimed the title, beating Team Spirit 3:0 in the final. ZywOo received another MVP award and noted: “2025 could be the best year of my career. We feel like we can beat anyone.”
Next came ESL Pro League Season 21 and BLAST Open Lisbon. At ESL Pro League, Vitality met MOUZ in the final, and the match also ended in a confident 3:0 victory. At BLAST Open Lisbon, the grand final against MOUZ was a more stubborn battle but ended 3:2, with Vitality leaving no doubt about their superiority.
These three tournaments showed that Vitality wasn’t just a team, but a machine capable of destroying any opponent thanks to perfect synergy between individual skill and self-confidence. ropz’s arrival helped apEX put the final checkmark next to the legendary tournament in Katowice, which he had been pursuing his entire career, while ropz himself lifted his first BLAST series trophy.
Chapter 3. The Emergence of a Serious Competitor in Falcons
Spring 2025 brought Vitality new challenges. After Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov’s transfer to Falcons, event finals became a real test of strength for Vitality.
IEM Melbourne 2025 was extremely important for Vitality, as victory would make them winners of Intel Grand Slam’s fifth season and inscribe their names in the elite club. In the grand final, they met Falcons, and this match became a real show where Vitality were one step away from defeat, trailing 12:6 on the decisive Nuke. However, after an incredible comeback, this triumph finally happened and brought not only the trophy but also Intel Grand Slam Season 5 with a $1,000,000 prize. Vitality became the fifth and final team to win this prestigious title under Intel’s sponsorship.
At BLAST Rivals Season 1 2025, Vitality again met Falcons in the final. The match became another epic battle: five maps and incredible tension where everything was decided in the smallest details. Falcons again offered serious resistance, but Vitality didn’t give up and despite all community speculation that the team had already achieved everything, they made a superhuman effort and claimed another title.
ropz joked after the 25th consecutive victory: “Slowly forgetting how to lose…” ZywOo added: “Victory at BLAST Rivals is proof that we’re one step ahead.”
After two exhausting finals, IEM Dallas 2025 became an easy walk for Vitality. In the final against MOUZ, they secured their sixth consecutive S-tier tournament victory without even showing half their potential.
Chapter 4. Shock at the Major: What Went Wrong?
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 became the arena of incredible sensations, where even Falcons couldn’t make it to the top-16, and legends like FaZe barely squeezed through. On June 12, in the first round of Stage 3, Vitality lost to Brazilian team Legacy 13:3 on Inferno, breaking their 30-match win streak. Nobody expected this, but against the backdrop of past upsets, the community didn’t even have time to assess the scale of this event. As analyst Thorin noted: “Vitality are the biggest Major favorites in CS history, but even they aren’t immune to upsets.”
What happened? First and foremost, the BO1 format is to blame, which doesn’t give time to “get into the game,” especially in MR12. Legacy’s form, which they built up over those two weeks in Austin while Vitality arrived literally the day before their first match, also undoubtedly had an impact.
apEX was frank after the defeat: “The streak isn’t that important, but we’re disappointed. We didn’t show our game.”
What's Next for Vitality?
The loss to Legacy didn’t break Vitality, and already in their next Major match, they secured a victory, showing they’re ready to continue fighting. In our view, the 30-match win streak created certain pressure anyway, and now, freed from this burden, Vitality can play with greater freedom, focusing on pure skill. flameZ confirms our assumptions: “Everyone had the expectation that we should now ‘steamroll everyone.’ But we never felt that way. We’re at a Major, so nobody cares about the win streak when such a trophy is at stake.”
Vitality remains the main favorite for BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. Their experience, tactical flexibility, and individual skill make them a formidable force. The community expects Vitality to use this moment to spread their wings and return to their dominant style. Moreover, other teams’ form also leaves much to be desired, so this roster is still the main contender for the trophy even in their current state.
Conclusion
Vitality’s 30-match win streak, lasting 132 days (from February 1 to June 12, 2025, approximately 4.4 months), became one of the greatest achievements in Counter-Strike history. During this time, the team won six S-tier tournaments and Intel Grand Slam Season 5, with total prize money for 2025 exceeding $2.5 million, not counting additional sponsorship bonuses.
To cement their own era, the guys need to secure victory at the Major, and if they manage to claim the sixth Grand Slam season, it would be an incredible fairy tale that hardly anyone would be able to repeat. The entire Counter-Strike world eagerly awaits their next steps, and there’s no doubt that Vitality will continue writing their history.
