Team Vitality secured their second championship of the 2026 Counter-Strike season after defeating PARIVISION 3-0 in the Grand Final of PGL Cluj-Napoca. The victory reinforces Vitality’s position at the top of the global rankings and strengthens their case as the team to beat this year.
The tournament, held in Romania, featured nearly all of the top 16 teams in the world, making it one of the most competitive events of the early 2026 calendar. Despite the depth of the field, Vitality maintained consistent form throughout the event and delivered a commanding performance in the final.
Vitality began their campaign in the group stage with a 2-1 win over G2, followed by another 2-1 series victory against The MongolZ. They closed the group stage with a decisive 2-0 result over defending champions MOUZ, securing their place in the playoffs.
In the Grand Final, Vitality faced PARIVISION and demonstrated control across all three maps. The 3-0 sweep reflected both tactical discipline and individual firepower, with the team maintaining composure in key rounds and limiting opportunities for their opponents to gain momentum.
ZywOo Claims 30th MVP Award
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament following another standout performance. With this award, ZywOo becomes the first player in Counter-Strike history to reach 30 MVP titles, further solidifying his status among the elite players of the modern era.
Throughout the tournament, ZywOo delivered consistent impact in high-pressure situations, contributing across both opening engagements and late-round scenarios. His performance in the final was instrumental in closing out the series in straight maps.
A Roster Operating at Peak Efficiency
Vitality’s current lineup, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Robin “ropz” Kool, William “mezii” Merriman, and Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, continues to demonstrate cohesion and strategic clarity.
Under apEX’s leadership, the team has combined structured tactical play with individual excellence. The addition of ropz has strengthened their mid-round stability, while flameZ and mezii provide flexibility across roles. The result is a balanced roster capable of adapting across map pools and opponents.
With two titles already secured in 2026, Vitality have maintained momentum from their 2025 campaign and entered the new season with clear championship intent.
Grand Slam Within Reach
The PGL Cluj-Napoca victory builds on Vitality’s earlier success at IEM Kraków, placing them one ESL Grand Slam-eligible title away from securing the $1 million Intel Grand Slam prize.
Their next opportunity to complete the Grand Slam will come at IEM Rio in April. The team has opted to skip the upcoming ESL Pro League, focusing instead on preparation for Rio.
If Vitality continue their current trajectory, IEM Rio could represent a defining milestone in what is already shaping up to be a dominant season.