Press release - 27 April 2025 14:28

TEAM VITALITY MAKES HISTORY AT IEM MELBOURNE 2025, SECURING THE FIFTH ESL GRAND SLAM

Team Vitality claims their 21st consecutive win of the year with a stellar performance at Intel Extreme Masters Melbourne 2025, defeating Team Falcons in the Grand Final. (3-2)
The team’s win sealed the ESL Grand Slam and their place in history as only the fifth team to achieve this milestone.
Star player Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut was named MVP of the tournament, after an exceptional performance alongside teammates Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire, Shahar ‘flameZ’ Shushan, William ‘mezii’ Merriman and Robin ‘ropz’ Kool on the grand stage.
To celebrate this historic achievement, the club and the iconic basketball brand DearBBall are launching an exclusive capsule collection honouring the members of this invincible roster. On the club's website, Team Vitality is also offering free flocking with every purchase of a hummel pro jersey!

Paris, Sunday 27th April 2025 - Team Vitality is the undisputed best Counter-Strike 2 team in the world, and their latest victory at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Melbourne only reinforces that status. This marks their 21st straight win of the year, adding to a dominant run that includes victory titles at IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 21, and BLAST Open Spring 2025.

By winning their fourth ESL tournament in less than a year, the club has gained legendary status, becoming the fifth team in the game to win the ESL Grand Slam (after FaZe, NAVI, Team Liquid, and Astralis). To celebrate this historic moment for the club, Team Vitality is partnering with the iconic brand DearBBall to launch a capsule collection of exclusive products, paying tribute to a team with an undeniable track record of excellence.

THE HIVE MAKES HISTORY: TEAM VITALITY REIGNS SUPREME

Entering the tournament as the top-ranked CS2 team in the world, Team Vitality once again proved its exceptional talent. The elite roster, including captain Dan "apEX" Madesclaire, Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut, Shahar "flameZ" Shushan, William "mezii" Merriman, and Robin "ropz" Kool, demonstrated flawless synergy and world-class skills throughout the tournament, concluding in a decisive victory in the Grand Finals against Team Falcons. The team not only secured the IEM Melbourne title but also won the prestigious ESL Grand Slam, a monumental achievement for the organisation.

In the Semi-Finals, Team Vitality delivered a masterful performance against Team MongolZ, setting the tone for an electric Grand Final performance against Team Falcons.

After an incredible 3-2 win in the Grand Final, which included a triple-overtime decider on the final map, Nuke, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut was named tournament MVP thanks to a series of impressive performances and a decisive presence throughout the tournament.

In addition to capturing the IEM Melbourne title, the team won the prestigious ESL Grand Slam, a monumental achievement for both the organization and the history of Counter-Strike. With this victory, Team Vitality added one of the most coveted trophies to its collection, along with a $1 million cash prize.

TEAM VITALITY AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME ON COUNTER–STRIKE 2

By securing a fourth major international trophy this year, Team Vitality and its players have firmly cemented their place among the legends of the game. The club’s dominance in CS2, highlighted by an ESL Grand Slam victory and an extraordinary 21-game winning streak, confirms its status as a global powerhouse and marks a historic milestone, fueled by the unwavering support of its passionate community.

This triumph also represents a career-defining moment for several players, starting with captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, who captures the final major title missing from his storied record (adding the Grand Slam to his two Majors, Katowice, and Cologne victories). Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut continues his remarkable ascent, solidifying his position as the most decorated player in CS history with a 24th MVP title earned during this tournament. Together, apEX and ZywOo become the first two French players ever to win an ESL Grand Slam, a historic achievement for these two icons of the Parisian club.

Driven by a clear ambition to become the world's leading esports organization, Team Vitality places performance at the core of its new strategic era. In Counter-Strike, the mission is bold: to inspire, to dominate, and to leave a lasting legacy on the global stage. This vision reflects the club’s commitment to establishing itself as a benchmark in international competition and making an enduring impact on fans around the world.

Fabien "Neo" Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality, said: “This is a historic moment for Team Vitality as we become the 5th club in history to win the ESL Grand Slam. We are now part of a legendary club that has left its mark on the history of the game. After more than six hours of play, I'm proud of the mentality and the incredible display from this team. To see them achieve such greatness makes me feel so proud.”

CELEBRATING IN STYLE: A CAPSULE COLLECTION WITH DEARBBALL TO CELEBRATE THE EVENT

To celebrate their Grand Slam victory, Team Vitality and basketball brand DearBBall are launching an exclusive capsule collection. This limited-edition drop pays tribute to the five players on the roster, highlighting their unique personalities, strengths, and lifestyles.

For each player, the collection features a dedicated hoodie, sweatshirt, and t-shirt, available in black or white, each piece accompanied by a personalized description. A historic collaboration and a must-have for fans - available in limited quantities!

The collection is available now on the official DearBBall website.