The legendary Team Vitality win streak has extended with a victory over TheMongolZ at the BLAST Austin Major. The European powerhouses have now won eight consecutive trophies, with no end to their reign of terror in sight.
Despite an early lead, TheMongolZ were unable to upend Team Vitality’s momentum on Maps 2 and 3, ending the final 2-1.
From Stage 3 to Grand Finals – Team Vitality and TheMongolZ’s Austin journey
BLAST’s Austin Major saw several prominent teams crash out earlier than expected in their tournament journeys. This includes the Team Falcons early elimination by MIBR, and HEROIC’s downfall to underdogs Nemiga.
Both Team Vitality and TheMongolZ had an easier start to the Austin Major. The two teams had automatically qualified for Stage 3 of the tournament.
Other Playoffs teams, such as paiN Gaming and Furia, began their fight in Stage 2, playing several more games in the tournament overall compared to the finalists.
However, neither team managed to keep a clean sheet in their first few tournament matches. Team Vitality suffered a shocking and unexpected loss to Stage 1 team, Legacy.
TheMongolZ lost two matches in Stage 3, one to Furia and the other to FaZe Clan. However, revenge was sweet. FaZe Clan eventually fell to TheMongolZ in the Quarterfinals 0-2.
In the Semifinals, TheMongolZ were far more dominant over their competitors paiN Gaming. Their 2-0 win stemmed from consecutive 13-5 map wins on Mirage and Anubis.
For Team Vitality, their match-up against MOUZ saw greater struggle for power. Although Vitality took Map 1 at 13-8 rounds on Mirage, they lost the second map, Inferno, 4-13. However, they were able to regain control on Map 3, Train, winning 13-6 and sending MOUZ packing.
Team Vitality’s Semifinal efforts served as the perfect training, preparing them to dominate in the Grand Final. Despite TheMongolZ’s best efforts and early surge, the Team Vitality win streak proved impossible to disrupt.
The Team Vitality win streak hits 8 in Austin
Despite being the highest-rated team in Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS), Team Vitality’s journey to the trophy was not smooth sailing. TheMongolZ were able to set a steady pace and dominate the once indestructible Team Vitality in Map 1, but the underdogs ultimately faltered in the remainder of the competition.
Overall, the Austin Major Finals showed that the dominant, decimating, and destructive Team Vitality never left, it simply lay dormant, waiting to shine again when it mattered most.
From the beginning, UK Counter-Strike betting sites were placing Team Vitality at high odds for winning for good reason.
TheMongolZ stunned Team Vitality in Map 1, building momentum during the mid-game and denying Vitality a single Terrorist side round win. Their fearless performance completely stalled their opponents, resulting in what the Austin broadcast described as a “humiliating” loss.
Unfortunately for the underdog team, Vitality’s roster did not let the loss slide. Their revenge in Map 2 was brutal, decimating TheMongolZ 13-4 and punishing them for their bold Finals opener.
Right from their pistol round win, Team Vitality denied their opponents’ economy and utility. Their snowballing momentum left TheMongolZ with little firepower or motivation to move forward.
Map 3 followed a similar pattern, with Team Vitality quickly accelerating ahead. However, TheMongolZ did raise a last-minute pushback, eventually ending the map on 6-13.
A loss for TheMongolZ, a win for Mongolian Counter-Strike
They may have lost the Austin Major Final, but TheMongolZ have highlighted the dedication and passion in both their roster and the Mongolian fans.
As the youngest roster by average age to reach a Major Final and the first Asian team to do so, they have demonstrated the grit and determination growing in minor regions.
This rise of minor regions has also been evident in the Austin Major overall. Teams such as Lynn Vision took Austin by storm, capturing the hearts of fans with their passion.
Regardless of the final score, TheMongolZ have demonstrated that European teams can no longer sit comfortably at the top of the Counter-Strike leaderboard.
Looking ahead to IEM Cologne
Both Team Vitality and TheMongolZ have already qualified for IEM Cologne via VRS Global Standings.
Team Vitality won IEM Cologne in 2024 and will be fighting to retain the title in Germany.
The competition begins with the Play-Ins on July 23rd. Team Vitality and TheMongolZ will both join in the Group Stage, starting on July 26th. Hopefully, Counter-Strike fans can look forward to a rematch between the Austin finalists soon.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
