For the past 100 days, Vitality has been unstoppable, not losing a single game since January 24th.
Their most recent success comes after their triumph in Copenhagen at Blast Rivals Season 1 over Falcons. This Grand Finals win was not just a trophy lift, but an etch into eternal glory as they won their 25th consecutive game. As it stands, this incredible run of form puts Vitality second in all-time matches won, just behind Ninjas in Pyjamas’ elusive 60-0 streak.
UK CS wins its first ESL Grand Slam
Rolling back a week before Vitality’s win in Copenhagen, William “mezii” Merriman made history by being the first UK player to win the ESL Grand Slam.
A rockstar year has already achieved something only a few can dream of achieving. After wins at IEM Cologne 2024, IEM Katowice and ESL Pro League Season 21, Vitality only needed one win to win the ESL Grand Slam. Heading into IEM Melbourne, it only seemed like the hot streak would continue.
The only thing standing between Vitality and the gold bars was newly bolstered Falcons featuring Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov. Not having dropped a single map in their crusade to the Grand Finals, the Brit would meet his final boss in the Saudi organisation’s star-studded lineup.
Despite winning map 1 in the BO5 13-2, things were not smooth sailing for the superstars as it came down to map 5. Looking like Vitality were to be dethroned staring down the barrel of a 6-12 deficit, they showed why they are the best team in the world.
What can only be described as a biblical comeback was instigated. From the precipice of disaster, Vitality completed the six-round comeback, and after three rounds of overtime, Vitality showed they are truly gods among men.
This series was seen by many as Vitality playing at their B game. But despite not playing at their highest level, they were still able to win a trophy.
After a nail-biting comeback on map 5, Vitality not only won IEM Melbourne but also named themselves as the fifth team to win the ESL Grand Slam. Achieving a feat for mezii that no other UK player has ever come close to, and might never come close to again.
Vitality lifting the IEM Melbourne trophy – Credit: ESL & Lee-Aik-Soon
The win streak extends to 25 consecutive games won
With no rest for the wicked, Vitality travelled straight from Australia to Denmark for BLAST Rivals Season 1. In a very similar fashion, playing like they hadn’t travelled over 24 hours, no one was able to match Vitality as they cruise their way to another Grand Finals. Meeting a familiar face for the trophy, they matched up against Falcons.
No team had really been able to step up to the plate versus the top dogs in 2025, apart from Falcons in Melbourne. Setting up a barn-buster of a BO5 Grand Finals Falcons came out of the gates swinging as they ended one of Vitality’s streaks, halting mezii and company on Inferno to stop their run on that map at 16 wins in a row.
Inferno to many was done deal with Vitality in any series, and it was Vitality’s first pick. Therefore, looking further into this Grand Finals, which had the same veto as Melbourne, Vitality would have to transform their fortunes on either Dust2 or Mirage.
Retaliating immediately, Vitality were able to best their adversaries on Dust2, showing they were still in the fight.
This rejuvenated side continued its unequivocal dominance, trampling Falcons 13-6 on Train, putting them ahead in the series 2-1, and only needing one win to lift their fifth consecutive trophy.
Looking to end it on Mirage, map four, Vitality stumbled on the defence, falling to a 3-9 deficit. It seemed a certainty that this game would go the distance after Falcons won the second-half pistol that extended their lead to 12-3. However, with the memories of Melbourne fresh on everyone’s minds, it started to happen again. Vitality started to claw back rounds and ultimately pushed the map into overtime. Vitality’s nine rounds on the trot seemed to give them the advantage, but a second wind spurred Falcons to close out the game after 11 map points.
In Melbourne, Vitality needed an extraordinary comeback and four overtimes to win out Nuke, but in Copenhagen, things were different. Simply put, Vitality dominated the map this time, maintaining the lead throughout, eventually closing out the game 13-8. The result further strengthens their title as the best in the world.
With the trophy cabinet filling week by week, the question is no longer “Are we entering a Vitality era?”, but rather the statement that “Vitality is the undisputed best team in Counter-Strike right now.” The next step for Vitality, if they want to be regarded as not just the best team right now, but among the all-time greats, is a Major win. A UK player has never played in a Major Final, let alone win one, but succeeding in Austin could be what pushes mezii and Vitality over the edge into eternal glory.
Vitality winning their fifth event in a row, BLAST Rivals S1 – Credit: BLAST Premier & Stephanie Lindgren
So far in 2025, VItality has won:
IEM Katowice
ESL Pro League Season 21
BLAST Open Lisbon
IEM Melbourne
ESL Grand Slam Season 5
BLAST Rivals Season 1
