Thorin: “FURIA Are Back” After IEM Kraków 2026 Grand Final vs Vitality

Even in defeat, FURIA became one of the biggest winners of IEM Kraków 2026.
Following the grand final, esports analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields delivered a strong verdict:

“FURIA are back.”

According to Thorin, the Brazilian squad’s performance proved their resurgence is real — not a one-off tournament run. He noted that AWPer molodoy had an unusually quiet series, while Vitality’s superstar ZywOo played at an elite level. Despite that imbalance, FURIA still pushed the match to a competitive four-map series.

The analyst believes the Vitality vs FURIA matchup could become a defining rivalry of the 2026 CS2 season.

IEM Kraków 2026 Grand Final Result

Team Vitality 3–1 FURIA

Map results:

Mirage — FURIA 13–11 Vitality

Inferno — Vitality 13–8 FURIA

Nuke — Vitality 13–2 FURIA

Overpass — Vitality 13–10 FURIA

Vitality secured the trophy and the $400,000 first-place prize, while FURIA earned $180,000 for second place.

The tournament ran from January 28 to February 8 with a total prize pool of $1,000,000.

ZywOo’s MVP-Level Performance Decided the Final

The biggest storyline of the match was the performance of Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, who delivered one of the strongest grand final showings of the year so far.

After the victory, ZywOo said:

“Nice to lift our first trophy in 2026 — we’re going to win others!”

Vitality captain apEX went even further, stating the event was:

“Without a doubt the best tournament of ZywOo’s career.”

His impact in opening duels became a talking point across the scene.

Perfecto highlighted this detail:

“Zero missed entries from ZywOo — that’s very strong.”

Pro Scene Reactions to the Final

The CS2 community quickly reacted to the grand final.

Not everyone saw the match the same way.
HOTU player n0rb3r7 offered a harsher perspective:

“FURIA wasn’t really here. If ZywOo doesn’t miss, it’s very hard to beat Vitality.”

This split reaction perfectly captures the narrative:
Was this Vitality dominance — or FURIA’s breakthrough?

Why Thorin’s Statement Matters for CS2 in 2026

Thorin previously predicted that molodoy could become one of the greatest snipers in Counter-Strike history. His “FURIA are back” statement reinforces a growing storyline:

The new elite rivalry may be forming

Vitality: trophy favorites and early-year champions

FURIA: resurgent contender with rising star power

Multiple analysts expect more finals between these teams in 2026

The IEM Kraków final also attracted massive peak viewership, confirming strong fan interest in this matchup.

What This Means for the 2026 CS2 Season

IEM Kraków often sets the tone for the year.
After this event:

Vitality start the season as the team to beat

FURIA emerge as a legitimate title contender

ZywOo strengthens his early claim for Player of the Year

If Thorin’s prediction holds true, fans may witness one of the biggest rivalries of the CS2 era.