At the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Team Vitality delivered another standout performance by claiming its third straight Intel Extreme Masters title. The European powerhouse dismantled MOUZ with a 3-0 clean sweep in the finals, making a strong statement after finishing as runner-up in last year’s event.
Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut once again stood out, taking home the MVP title and increasing his career total to an impressive 26 awards.
Overcoming Challenges on the Road to the Finals
Just weeks after lifting the trophy at BLAST Rivals, Vitality entered IEM Dallas with minimal preparation. Despite the quick turnaround, the team pushed past early obstacles by defeating Legacy from South America and GamerLegion, earning a place in the playoff bracket.
In the quarterfinals, the squad bested MongolZ, securing a spot in the semifinals. There, they clashed with Team Falcons in a rematch, dropping a map but ultimately closing the series in their favor after a strong showing on the third map.
Grand Final Showdown Ends in a Statement Victory
The final match against MOUZ saw Vitality reclaim Dust II after a tough 8-11 deficit, turning the tide to finish 13-11. Riding that momentum, they took Mirage 13-9 and concluded the series on Inferno with a 13-8 win.
Along with the IEM Dallas trophy, the team walked away with $125,000 from the $300,000 total prize pool, further affirming its dominance in the CS2 scene.
Vitality’s Streak Grows Stronger
This victory not only extends Vitality’s winning streak but also solidifies their position at the top of Valve’s official rankings and the VRS standings. With multiple titles under their belt in the first half of the year, the team shows no signs of slowing down.
Next up, they are set to compete in the BLAST Austin Major beginning June 3, followed by a run at IEM Cologne in July, promising more action-packed showdowns.
Leadership Celebrates Continued Success
Fabien Devide, President of Team Vitality, expressed pride in the squad’s consistency and ambition, stating that the team’s IEM Dallas triumph further reinforces the organization’s global standing in esports. He emphasized that the group remains focused on showcasing the capabilities of French esports and plans to continue their upward momentum.