Team Vitality

Team Vitality's journey in Counter-Strike has been nothing short of remarkable, evolving from a French-centric squad in 2018 to the undisputed #1 team in the world in CS2. With a current world ranking of #1, a peak streak of 37 weeks at the top for their core, and an astonishing run of seven consecutive Big Event victories—including the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025—Vitality stands as a benchmark for excellence in competitive CS2. As they prepare for their upcoming clash against The MongolZ at IEM Cologne 2025, we dive into the history, roster evolutions, and key achievements that define Vitality's dominance in CS2.

Team Vitality was founded in 2013 as a French esports organization, initially focusing on various titles before making a bold entry into Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) in 2018. Their debut featured an all-French lineup, setting the stage for what would become a powerhouse in the European scene. This move marked Vitality's commitment to CS, leveraging local talent to compete on the global stage.

Vitality's early years were characterized by steady progress and key tournament wins that built their reputation. In 2019, they claimed victories at high-profile events like the ECS Season 7 Finals, cs_summit 4, and EPICENTER 2019. These successes highlighted the potential of their French core, with standout performances establishing them as contenders.

By 2020, Vitality continued their ascent, securing titles at BLAST Premier: Fall 2020 Finals and IEM Beijing Haidian 2020 Europe. The transition to online play during the pandemic didn't hinder their form, as they maintained consistent top placements.

In 2021, they added to their trophy cabinet with a win at IEM Winter 2021. Roster stability during this period allowed for growth, though internal adjustments helped refine their playstyle.

2022 saw further refinement, with a victory at ESL Pro League Season 16 underscoring their tactical depth. These years laid the foundation for Vitality's shift toward an international roster, blending French heritage with global talent.

2023 was a pivotal year for Team Vitality CS2, as they transitioned fully into the new era post-CS:GO. They achieved their first Major title at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, a landmark moment that solidified their status among the elite. Additional triumphs included wins at Gamers8 2023, BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023, and IEM Rio 2023.

Roster changes amplified their success. In late 2023, Emil "Magisk" Reif departed, with William "mezii" Merriman joining the lineup amid transfer talks. This move added versatility, contributing to their unmatched trophy count that year, earning them the title of Team of the Year for 2023.

2024 brought challenges and triumphs. Vitality opened the year strongly, battering OG in their first match (13-0 on Mirage, 13-7 on Inferno). However, the year also saw roster flux: Lotan "Spinx" Giladi was moved to the inactive roster on January 9, 2025, after an 878-day stint. This paved the way for the blockbuster signing of Robin "ropz" Kool, agreed upon in December 2024 and officially unveiled on January 10, 2025.

In an interview, Vitality's Chairman and Co-Founder Fabien "Neo" Devide discussed the signing, noting how Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut helped recruit ropz and emphasizing a fresh start for 2025. These changes helped Vitality rebound, setting the stage for their historic run.

2025 has been the year of Vitality's unparalleled dominance in CS2. They kicked off with a string of victories, including becoming the fifth team to win the ESL Grand Slam since its introduction in 2017. Their streak extended to a historic 24 straight games, cementing a spot in the BLAST Rivals Season 1 final. This evolved into a 30-match LAN win streak, drawing comparisons to prime Astralis.

Key wins included seven consecutive Big Events: IEM Katowice 2025, ESL Pro League Season 21, BLAST Open Lisbon 2025, IEM Melbourne 2025, BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 1, IEM Dallas 2025, and culminating in the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. At the Austin Major, Vitality defeated The MongolZ 2-1 in the grand final, recovering from a 5-13 loss on Mirage with dominant performances on the remaining maps.

Their BO3+ victory streak remains a topic of record-breaking discussion, ranking among the all-time greats. Matches like their 2-0 win over Wildcard at BLAST Rivals (13-7 Inferno, 13-6 Dust2) and comebacks, such as the epic clutch by Dan "apEX" Madesclaire against MOUZ at IEM Dallas, showcase their resilience.

With an average player age of 26.3 and 110 weeks in the top 30 for their core, Vitality's lineup blends experience and firepower. They hold the #1 spot in HLTV's world rankings, with upcoming challenges like IEM Cologne 2025 against The MongolZ on July 29.

Vitality's CS2 history is a testament to strategic evolution, from their French origins to international stardom. With ZywOo's star power and a cohesive unit, they are poised to extend their reign—potentially etching their name alongside the greatest teams in Counter-Strike history.