Team Vitality Named HLTV Team of the Year — Full Ranking Breakdown, Results, and Player Quotes

Team Vitality have been crowned HLTV Team of the Year, securing the top spot ahead of Team Spirit and MOUZ at the annual HLTV Awards.

The ranking reflects a historic season defined by titles, consistency, and elite individual performances, making Vitality the undisputed benchmark of competitive Counter-Strike 2.

Why Vitality ranked #1 in the HLTV Team of the Year standings

Unmatched consistency throughout the season

Vitality reached the playoffs at every event they attended, an achievement no other top-tier team matched over the full competitive year.

 Nine titles, including two Majors

Across the season, Vitality accumulated nine international trophies, highlighted by Major victories in Austin and Budapest. Their mid-year run alone produced seven consecutive titles, including:

IEM Katowice

ESL Pro League Season 21

BLAST Open Lisbon

IEM Melbourne

BLAST Rivals Season 1

IEM Dallas

Austin Major

They later added ESL Pro League Season 22, before closing the year with another Major triumph in Budapest.

The ropz signing: a turning point for Vitality

Vitality began the year by adding Robin ropz Kool. While early results were modest, the roster rapidly evolved into the most dominant lineup of the season.

In an HLTV interview, in-game leader Dan apEX Madesclaire explained the vision behind the move:

“I want him to be in the center of our game as well.”

That adjustment proved decisive as Vitality transitioned from contenders into an era-defining powerhouse.

Star power: ZywOo leads another historic year

At the core of Vitality’s success was Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut, who once again delivered at the highest level.

After winning the Budapest Major, ZywOo said:

“I have no words to describe this feeling… Back-to-back Majors… It’s an incredible moment for us.”

He also highlighted the collective effort behind his individual accolades:

“Without the team, I would not do that.”

Supporting cast delivers in key moments

Vitality’s depth separated them from the rest of the field:

ropz delivered clutch performances throughout the Major playoffs

Shahar flameZ Shushan emphasized how narrow some of the toughest matches were:

“It was harder than expected… a lot of key rounds made the difference.”

Coach Rémy XTQZZZ Quoniam and IGL apEX were both recognized with Coach of the Year and IGL of the Year honors.

How the competition compared

Spirit — explosive but less consistent

Spirit secured four event wins, including IEM Cologne, but could not match Vitality’s sustained dominance across the full season.

MOUZ — consistent finalists, fewer trophies

MOUZ claimed one major title and several finals appearances, yet lacked the volume of wins needed to challenge for the top spot.

Awards reinforce Vitality’s dominance

HLTV’s All-Star Team of the Year further underlined Vitality’s supremacy, featuring:

apEX (IGL of the Year)

XTQZZZ (Coach of the Year)

ZywOo (AWPer of the Year)

William mezii Merriman (Anchor of the Year)

ropz (Closer of the Year)

Only Danil donk Kryshkovets broke Vitality’s hold on the lineup.