Look Sports Media – As the Counter-Strike 2 competitive year draws to a close, the highly anticipated HLTV Awards have unveiled their comprehensive list of finalists across all categories, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying celebration of the game’s top talent. Following an unprecedented 2025 campaign, Team Vitality stands as the overwhelming favorite to sweep multiple accolades, though breakout performances from teams like FURIA could still challenge the narrative.
While Team Vitality’s dominance is undeniable, the awards ceremony is poised to recognize a diverse array of players, coaches, and personalities who left their mark on the scene. The HLTV Panel Awards, decided by a distinguished group of twenty professional players or coaches, ten Counter-Strike talents, and five in-house staff, have been under scrutiny since voting commenced on December 22nd.
Remarkably, Team Vitality boasts a finalist in every single HLTV Panel Award category. Their historic 2025 run, culminating in back-to-back Major victories, has solidified their place in Counter-Strike lore. Reflecting on their monumental year, Vitality’s mezii recently remarked in an interview with looksports.media, "It’s crazy to be part of a team now that’s had a season that’s maybe even better than theirs," drawing parallels to Astralis’ legendary 2018 era.
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However, not all categories are without their share of contention. The "Coach of the Year" award has sparked considerable discussion among broadcast talent, journalists, and even players. A heated online debate comparing The MongolZ’s maaRaa with Vitality’s XTQZZZ, and the contextual factors influencing coaching success, prompted Vitality’s in-game leader, apEX, to publicly question, "How much XTQZZZ needs to win to get coach of the year? 16/16 trophies? 85 bo3 in a row?"
Esteemed esports journalist Richard Lewis weighed in, offering a contrasting perspective: "For Mongolz they have a number of handicaps and hurdles to clear that your team doesn’t and yet they’ve managed to remain competitive at the highest level and even hit number one in the world ranking this year." This nuanced discussion highlights the complexities of evaluating coaching impact, making this particular award one of the most intriguing to watch.
HLTV Panel Award Nominees Include:
- Closer of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Opener of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Anchor of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- IGL of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- AWPer of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Coach of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Highlight of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
Beyond the panel’s selections, several prestigious awards are determined directly by HLTV. These include Rookie of the Year, Team of the Year, Player of the Year, and the HLTV Awards for Women’s Counter-Strike. While the Player of the Year finalists remain officially unconfirmed, superstar ZywoO is widely expected to claim the title, with a staggering 94% chance of victory attributed to his consistent brilliance and pivotal performances at the year’s most significant tournaments.
The "Rookie of the Year" category, however, presents a much tighter race. Kyousuke, who joined Team Falcons from Team Spirit Academy and notably benched Magisk, has showcased immense raw talent. Yet, some argue his team’s overall performance may have limited his full potential. Conversely, molodoy has been hailed as a transformative force for FURIA, positioning him as a strong contender, despite the Brazilian squad’s lack of trophy wins in the first half of 2025 potentially hindering his bid. Makazze of NAVI also enters the fray, demonstrating consistent growth, though similarly impacted by his team’s fluctuating results throughout the year.
The HLTV Awards will also shine a spotlight on Women’s Counter-Strike, a crucial recognition for the scene. However, this comes amidst an uncertain future, as the ESL Impact CS2 Women’s Circuit has been indefinitely suspended following the conclusion of Season 8, casting a shadow over competitive prospects.
HLTV-Decided Award Nominees Include:
- Rookie of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Team of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Player of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Women’s Player of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Women’s Team of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
Finally, the Counter-Strike community itself will have its say through the HLTV Awards Community Nominations. Fans will cast their votes for the best broadcast talent, streamer, content creator, event, and CS skin of 2025, ensuring that the voices of the passionate fanbase are heard in this grand celebration of Counter-Strike.
HLTV Awards Community Nominees Include:
- Talent of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Streamer of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Creator of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Event of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
- Skin of the Year: [List of nominees from original article]
As the esports world eagerly awaits the final announcements, the HLTV Awards promise to be a fitting tribute to a year filled with unforgettable moments, dominant performances, and spirited debates that define the competitive spirit of Counter-Strike.
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