Look Sports Media – Team Vitality’s Shahar ‘flameZ’ Shushan offered an exclusive glimpse into the dominant performance that secured their spot in the inaugural IEM Kraków Grand Final. Following a decisive 13-7, 13-6 victory over Mouz, flameZ sat down with looksports.media to dissect the match, highlighting Mouz’s tactical missteps, the unparalleled impact of Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut’s notorious wallbangs, and the profound camaraderie that fuels one of Counter-Strike’s most formidable rosters.
Reflecting on the semi-final triumph, flameZ expressed immense satisfaction, acknowledging some minor sloppiness but ultimately commending Vitality’s preparation and unwavering confidence. "We came really prepped, and we were really confident, and we showed that we knew what it’s gonna be like going into it," he stated, underlining the team’s strategic readiness.
A standout feature of Vitality’s performance was their consistent success in force buys and eco rounds. flameZ attributed this not to extraordinary individual plays from Vitality, but rather to a series of critical errors from their opponents. "To be honest, it was just this game. I think they made a lot of mistakes," he explained, particularly noting Mouz’s vulnerability during eco rounds. He suggested that Mouz, playing in their season’s first major tournament, struggled with the semi-final pressure, leading to less solid eco plays and costly weapon losses. "I think if we played that game kind of throughout the season, it would have been way closer," flameZ speculated, acknowledging the learning curve for teams dealing with high-stakes environments and live crowds.
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Delving into specifics, flameZ pointed out Mouz’s questionable rotations and unfortunate timings. He cited an instance on Nuke where a Mouz player was traded after securing two kills, only for the subsequent rotation to fall instantly, conceding the entire B-site. On Dust2, he recalled Torbjørn ‘torzsi’ Torsås’s unexpected push towards CT, which Vitality capitalized on, leaving three Mouz players trapped and vulnerable. These moments, flameZ believes, were a mix of tactical misjudgments and sheer bad luck for Mouz.
Vitality also effectively stifled Mouz’s typically aggressive playstyle. flameZ revealed that this was a calculated outcome, largely due to ZywOo’s early game impact. "ZywOo kept tagging jimpphat and then killing him," flameZ recounted, explaining how this pressure prevented Jimi ‘jimpphat’ Salo from initiating aggressive plays. This domino effect meant Ádám ‘torzsi’ Torsås and Jon ‘JDC’ de Castro couldn’t push as freely, forcing Mouz into a more passive stance. "Once we managed to make sure that they are not doing the aggressive plays that they are comfortable with, the game changed a bit to our side," flameZ affirmed.
The conversation naturally gravitated towards ZywOo’s legendary wallbangs, particularly on Dust2. Despite the map’s design changes, including an overhang intended to prevent AWPing from spawn, ZywOo continues to defy expectations. "Yeah, man, the guy is crazy," flameZ exclaimed, sharing an anecdote from Robin ‘ropz’ Kool, who once noted that while FaZe Clan would typically HE doors, against ZywOo, they resorted to smoking them. flameZ emphasized ZywOo’s consistency: "If they give him 1% chance to shoot, he’s going to hit you."
Beyond the tactical prowess, flameZ offered heartfelt praise for his teammates, revealing the deep inspiration he draws from each member of the Vitality squad. He described ZywOo as a humble and open-minded role model, admired for his down-to-earth demeanor despite his unparalleled skill. Will ‘mezii’ Merriman was lauded as "one of the best teammates" flameZ has ever played with, celebrated for his confidence, in-game prowess, and ability to push others to excel. Robin ‘ropz’ Kool stands as a testament to dedication, inspiring the team with his relentless grind and commitment to the game. Lastly, Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire, the veteran leader, embodies "crazy discipline" and an enduring love for Counter-Strike, his motivation to win even the smallest tournaments serving as a powerful example after a career spanning two decades and countless trophies.
With their sights firmly set on the IEM Kraków Grand Final, Vitality, fueled by individual brilliance and collective inspiration, looks poised to continue their dominant run.
By Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor
Last Updated: 08/02/2026
Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specializing in Counter-Strike. He has contributed to looksports.media, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
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