Devilwalk Says Vitality Are Finding Their Game Again Ahead of EPL S24

Vitality appear to be rediscovering the aggressive, confident Counter-Strike that made them so difficult to contain earlier in 2026, according to former Major winner and CS2 analyst Jonatan “Devilwalk” Lundberg.

Speaking on the All About Counter-Strike podcast ahead of ESL Pro League Season 24, Devilwalk pointed to Vitality’s victory at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 as evidence that the team is moving back toward its best level. He highlighted ZywOo’s resurgence, the squad’s renewed energy, and a return to proactively controlling the pace of matches.

 

Quick Summary

Team Vitality celebrate their StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 championship after defeating Aurora 3-1 in the grand final.

 

Detail	Information
Main team	Vitality
Analyst	Jonatan “Devilwalk” Lundberg
Main point	Vitality are showing signs of returning to their strongest form
Recent result	1st at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026
Next event	ESL Pro League Season 24
Event dates	October 3–11, 2026
Location	Katowice, Poland
Opening opponent	1win
EPL S24 seed	No. 2
Roster contingency	jL is reportedly traveling as standby for apEX

 

What Did Devilwalk Say About Vitality?

Devilwalk believes Vitality are moving in the right direction after showing renewed confidence and initiative in recent matches.

 

Devilwalk discussed Vitality’s current form with James “BanKs” Banks while looking ahead to ESL Pro League Season 24.

His assessment was positive, but importantly, he stopped short of claiming that Vitality had already returned completely to peak form.

According to Devilwalk, the atmosphere around the team during StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 offered several encouraging signs: the smiles had returned, the players appeared more relaxed, and Vitality once again seemed to be enjoying their Counter-Strike.

His central assessment was straightforward:

“They are on the right track and gradually finding their game again.”

Devilwalk also singled out Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, saying the French superstar was once again showing his best form. At the same time, he noted that flameZ and mezii had still displayed some inconsistency.

The most significant tactical observation concerned initiative.

Devilwalk believes Vitality have started dictating the tempo of matches again rather than simply reacting to opponents. In his assessment, that proactive style is one of the qualities that makes the team particularly dangerous.

 

Why Vitality’s StarSeries Win Changed the Conversation

The timing of Devilwalk’s comments matters.

Vitality entered the second half of 2026 after an extraordinary opening stretch to the season. Cybersport.ru notes that the team won five of six tournaments between January and May before its results declined, with Vitality failing to reach another final from IEM Atlanta onward until StarSeries Fall.

September finally produced a breakthrough.

At StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026, Vitality recovered from a 2-1 upper-bracket loss to Aurora, defeated FURIA 2-0 in the lower-bracket final, and then beat Aurora 3-1 in the grand final.

That trophy was more significant than a single successful weekend. It provided concrete evidence that Vitality could again convert a deep tournament run into a championship.

Their route was not flawless, either. HLTV described Vitality’s offense as ineffective during the upper-bracket defeat to Aurora, noting that the team managed only six T-side rounds across the three maps.

The subsequent recovery therefore gives Devilwalk’s comments additional context: Vitality did not dominate every series, but they adapted after defeat and ultimately won the event.

 

Vitality Timeline: From Mid-Season Dip to StarSeries Champions

Date	Event	Vitality result / development
May 2026	IEM Atlanta 2026	Beginning of a stretch without a final appearance, according to Cybersport.ru
Aug. 21	Esports World Cup 2026	Lost 1-2 to Spirit in the playoffs
Aug. 27–Sept. 5	BLAST Open Porto 2026	Reached the semifinals before losing 0-2 to MOUZ
Sept. 17	StarSeries Fall	Beat magic 2-0
Sept. 18	StarSeries Fall	Beat FURIA 2-0
Sept. 19	StarSeries Fall	Lost 1-2 to Aurora
Sept. 20	StarSeries Fall	Beat FURIA 2-0 in lower-bracket final
Sept. 20	StarSeries Fall	Beat Aurora 3-1 to win the tournament
Oct. 3	ESL Pro League S24	Scheduled to begin against 1win
Oct. 3–11	ESL Pro League S24	Next major test of whether the recovery continues

Vitality’s recent match history and StarSeries results are documented by HLTV and Liquipedia.

 

Vitality Roster Ahead of ESL Pro League Season 24

Vitality are expected to begin EPL S24 with their established five-man lineup.

Player	Status
Dan “apEX” Madesclaire	Starting lineup / IGL
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut	Starting lineup
Robin “ropz” Kool	Starting lineup
Shahar “flameZ” Shushan	Starting lineup
William “mezii” Merriman	Starting lineup
Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam	Coach
Justinas “jL” Lekavicius	Reported standby for apEX

The regular Vitality lineup is also listed for ESL Pro League Season 24 by tournament sources.

The jL situation adds an unusual variable.

According to a report citing information shared by BanKs, jL is traveling with Vitality to Katowice as a precaution. apEX and his wife are expecting a child, meaning the French in-game leader could leave the tournament if necessary. jL would then step into the lineup.

That possibility should be treated as a contingency rather than a confirmed roster change: Vitality are expected to start EPL S24 with apEX.

 

Tactical Impact: Why “Dictating the Tempo” Matters

Devilwalk’s most useful observation is not simply that Vitality look happier. It is his description of the team taking control of matches again.

That distinction matters tactically.

An assertive Vitality can force opponents to respond to its decisions rather than giving them comfortable opportunities to establish their own rhythm. Devilwalk specifically connected this renewed activity with the danger Vitality can pose when it controls the pace.

StarSeries also showed that this recovery remains incomplete.

The upper-bracket defeat to Aurora exposed offensive problems, while the eventual championship demonstrated that Vitality could correct course during the same event.

That makes EPL S24 particularly informative. The question is no longer simply whether Vitality can win a tournament again—they just did. The next question is whether the style and consistency behind that victory can be sustained.

 

Key Details

Category	Detail
Devilwalk’s assessment	Vitality are moving toward their previous best level
Key positive	Renewed energy and proactive play
Player highlighted	ZywOo
Remaining concern	Devilwalk identified fluctuations from flameZ and mezii
Latest trophy	StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026
EPL S24 format	16-team Swiss stage followed by eight-team playoffs
EPL S24 dates	October 3–11
Location	Katowice, Poland
Opening matchup	Vitality vs. 1win
Vitality seed	No. 2
Standby situation	jL reportedly available if apEX has to leave

ESL confirms that Pro League Season 24 is a LAN event in Katowice, with competition running October 3–11. HLTV reported that Vitality received the No. 2 tournament seed, while the opening draw placed them against 1win.

 

Why Devilwalk’s Vitality Assessment Matters

There is a substantial difference between Vitality producing another respectable playoff finish and establishing that StarSeries marked the beginning of a sustained recovery.

Before Barcelona, the team had repeatedly reached competitive stages without converting those runs into another championship.

StarSeries changed that pattern.

Vitality lost to Aurora, survived the lower bracket, beat FURIA for the second time at the tournament, and then reversed the earlier result against Aurora in the grand final.

That ability to recover inside the same tournament is arguably the strongest supporting evidence for Devilwalk’s assessment.

EPL S24 now offers another immediate sample.

 

Tournament Impact: EPL S24 Is the Next Benchmark

Vitality enter ESL Pro League Season 24 as the tournament's second seed under ESL's peer-seeding system.

ESL asked the participating teams to rank their opponents, and Vitality emerged at No. 2, two positions higher than their corresponding VRS position used in the comparison published by HLTV.

Their opening opponent is 1win.

The group phase uses a 16-team Swiss format, with eight teams advancing to the playoffs. ESL lists the tournament for October 3–11 in Katowice, with the playoff stage scheduled for October 9–11.

The event therefore provides a quick test of whether Barcelona represented a short-term upswing or the beginning of a more durable return to form.

 

Impact Analysis

ZywOo

Devilwalk specifically identified ZywOo’s form as one of the clearest positives.

That is significant because Vitality’s ceiling naturally rises when their star AWPer is consistently producing high-impact performances. Rather than projecting statistics that are not contained in the source, the important verified point here is Devilwalk’s assessment that ZywOo again looks close to his strongest level.

flameZ and mezii

Devilwalk was more cautious about flameZ and mezii, describing some remaining inconsistency following the break.

That does not establish a long-term performance problem. It does, however, give EPL S24 another storyline: whether Vitality can obtain stable contributions across the lineup rather than depending on its highest-performing pieces.

apEX and the standby situation

The largest potential disruption is structural.

If apEX has to leave EPL S24, replacing an in-game leader is more complicated than a straightforward one-for-one player substitution. jL has experience playing with Vitality after previously standing in for mezii, but substituting for the team's IGL could require different responsibilities and mid-event adjustments.

Exactly how Vitality would redistribute calling responsibilities has not been officially detailed and should therefore be considered TBD.

 

What Changes Now for Vitality?

The StarSeries victory changes the immediate narrative surrounding Vitality.

Before Barcelona, the focus was on a prolonged stretch without a final. Now the discussion shifts toward whether the team can build another sequence of deep runs.

There is no confirmed permanent roster change associated with Devilwalk’s comments.

Vitality are expected to enter EPL S24 with apEX, ZywOo, ropz, flameZ and mezii. jL's presence is a reported contingency rather than evidence of a permanent lineup move.

 

What to Watch Next

Vitality vs. 1win: This is Vitality’s scheduled opening matchup at ESL Pro League Season 24 on October 3.

Whether Vitality maintain their proactive style: Devilwalk's central argument is that the team has started dictating matches again. EPL S24 provides an immediate opportunity to test that assessment.

ZywOo’s form: Devilwalk believes ZywOo has returned to a high level. His performances will remain one of the central indicators of Vitality’s ceiling.

flameZ and mezii’s consistency: Both were specifically identified by Devilwalk as players whose performances have still fluctuated.

The apEX situation: Vitality could face an unusual mid-event adjustment if their captain has to leave Katowice and jL is required to stand in.

PGL Masters Bucharest: HLTV currently lists PGL Masters Bucharest 2026, scheduled for October 24–31, as Vitality's next tournament after EPL S24.

 

FAQ

What did Devilwalk say about Vitality?

Devilwalk said Vitality appear to be moving back toward their strongest level. He highlighted improved energy, ZywOo's form and the team's return to a more proactive approach, while stressing that Vitality are not yet fully back to their peak.

Did Vitality win StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026?

Yes. Vitality defeated Aurora 3-1 in the grand final on September 20 after previously losing 1-2 to Aurora in the upper-bracket final.

When does Vitality play next?

Vitality are scheduled to begin ESL Pro League Season 24 against 1win on October 3, 2026.

Will apEX play at ESL Pro League Season 24?

Vitality are expected to begin the tournament with apEX. However, jL is reportedly traveling as a standby because apEX may need to leave the event for family reasons.

Who is in Vitality’s CS2 lineup?

The expected starting lineup consists of apEX, ZywOo, ropz, flameZ and mezii, with XTQZZZ as coach.