Jimpphat: "Beating Vitality Is Not Like a Trophy for Us"

Jimpphat: "Beating Vitality Is Not Like a Trophy for Us"

Date: August 13, 2025
By: NER0cs via HLTV

At IEM Cologne 2025, MOUZ finally overcame their long-standing nemesis, Vitality — defeating them on the eighth attempt this season — yet Jimi "Jimpphat" Salo made it clear that the moment, while significant, wasn’t the ultimate goal.

"For us, in the moment after we beat Vitality, of course it was nice, but we still wanted to win a trophy. Beating Vitality is not like a trophy for us."

MOUZ’s strategic depth has never been in question — their tactical level is clearly high — but Jimpphat pointed out a consistent limitation:

"Tactically, we are on a really good level… we still lack the ability to have three or more players on a really good day. We are a bit inconsistent in this regard…"

While MOUZ managed to triumph against Vitality, they fell short in the final against Spirit, reinforcing that beating a top rival is only part of the journey.

Despite a rough personal start to the season, Jimpphat reflected on his mindset:

"This season, I haven't felt so confident… official games I feel like I'm a bit more nervous."

He also shared a poignant moment: having his brother Sergej in the stands brought special meaning to the victory:

"It was really nice to see my brother [Sergej]... He really enjoys watching it, and especially supporting me. It makes me feel really nice."

Looking ahead, Jimpphat expressed renewed determination:

"It showed we are capable of beating Vitality… this season we will close it out."

Broader Context & Related Insights

• Vitality’s dominance in 2025: They’ve been on an incredible run—winning tournaments like BLAST Open Lisbon, IEM Dallas, and the Austin Major, and securing a sixth consecutive title streak and a coveted Grand Slam.Their individual consistency is a hallmark, contrasting MOUZ’s occasional fluctuating performances.

• Inconsistency vs. Brilliance: Jimpphat’s comments about lacking three impactful players each match echo earlier observations of MOUZ’s need for steadier output from its roster. Jimpphat emphasized the importance of collective consistency on any game day.

• Jimpphat’s personal trajectory: Since joining MOUZ, the young Finnish rifler has adapted quickly to tier-one CS: he described transitioning from tier two to elite level as “pretty easy,” crediting his team’s support. In earlier tournaments like the Austin Major, despite tough starts, MOUZ rallied — and Jimpphat stressed the need to “play the CS we are known for. He’s also matured significantly, viewing each choice in his career, including staying with MOUZ, as valuable for growth.

• Vitality’s level sets a benchmark: xertioN of MOUZ acknowledged that this season they aim to seriously challenge Vitality for trophies. — underlining the broader ambition and competition at the top.

Summary

Jimpphat’s comments reflect more than relief from ending a losing streak — they underline the gap between beating a rival and actually claiming trophies. MOUZ’s strategic smarts are evident, but sustained individual performances remain their clearest obstacle. Jimpphat, facing early-season nerves, is acutely aware that consistency under pressure is key. With the season still in flight and their victory over Vitality under their belt, MOUZ seem poised to chase the results that have eluded them — and Jimpphat is ready to lead that charge.