Look Sports Media – Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut delivered a career-defining performance in the Grand Final of IEM Kraków 2026, propelling Team Vitality to a dominant 3-1 series victory over Furia. The French superstar’s exceptional play was the catalyst for Vitality’s triumph at the Tauron Arena, solidifying their position at the pinnacle of competitive Counter-Strike and cementing ZywOo’s status as the world’s premier player.
After an initial setback on Mirage, Vitality showcased their championship mettle, swiftly securing Inferno, Nuke, and Overpass to claim the best-of-five title. ZywOo’s individual statistics throughout the tournament marked his most impactful showing to date in a major event, a testament to his unparalleled skill and consistency under pressure.
Furia’s Mirage Resurgence Met by Vitality’s Resolve
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The series commenced on Mirage, where Vitality initially established a formidable presence on their Counter-Terrorist side. Veteran in-game leader Dan "apEX" Madesclaire meticulously positioned his squad, allowing Shahar "flameZ" Shushan to execute multiple crucial holds at Connector and ramp, effectively repelling Furia’s early offensive thrusts.
However, Furia mounted an extraordinary comeback, spearheaded by the burgeoning talent of young AWPer Danil "molodoy" Golubenko. The Brazilian roster clawed their way back into contention, ultimately snatching the opening map with a narrow 13-11 scoreline, signaling a potential upset.
Vitality’s response on Inferno was initially sluggish from several members, but it was here that the French phenom, ZywOo, seized control. Demonstrating incredible solo-play ability, he orchestrated a 16/7 half, single-handedly turning the tide. On the CT-side, ZywOo appeared omnipresent, neutralizing Furia’s pushes at Banana, on B, and thwarting their attempts at an A-site wrap from long. Even when not perfectly positioned, his impact was undeniable, securing crucial rounds. A 13-8 victory followed, with ZywOo concluding the map with an astonishing 25/12 stat line, leveling the series.
Dominance Unleashed on Nuke and Overpass
Shifting to Nuke, Vitality’s collective firepower ignited, a stark contrast to ZywOo’s solo heroics on Inferno. William "mezii" Merriman consistently delivered from his signature backsite A position, a spot the British rifler has truly mastered, executing several pivotal plays. Furia quickly found themselves in a 0-9 deficit, struggling to adapt and exhibiting a lack of composure as Robin "ropz" Kool repeatedly punished their forced B ramp entries.
The first half concluded with a commanding 10-2 lead for Vitality. The champions then effortlessly closed out the map, securing the pistol round and fending off Furia’s desperate attempts to stabilize their economy, culminating in a decisive 13-2 victory.
With a 2-1 lead, Vitality needed just one more map, heading into Overpass starting on the challenging T-side. Yet again, ZywOo immediately made his presence felt, single-handedly flipping a disadvantaged pistol round to grant Vitality an early advantage. apEX then showcased his clutch prowess, securing a crucial 4k in a 2v5 situation on the B-site, aided by flameZ, further propelling Vitality towards victory.
Despite a Kaike "KSCERATO" Cerato clutch at 5-0 that sparked a five-round streak for Furia, leading to a 6-6 half on a notoriously CT-sided map, Vitality maintained their composure. Furia’s subsequent pistol and conversion rounds were quickly countered by a spectacular flameZ 4k during an unexpected lurk play, allowing Vitality to regain control.
Even as the score reached 10-10, a palpable sense of anticipation filled the arena, with spectators already gathering around the trophy, sensing Vitality’s imminent victory. Furia’s T-side then crumbled under pressure, marked by three hesitant rounds and a crucial loss to time. ZywOo, ever the closer, delivered two devastating 4ks in the final two rounds, sealing a 13-10 victory on Overpass. This triumph not only secured IEM Kraków for Vitality but also saw them successfully defend their IEM Katowice 2025 title, marking arguably ZywOo’s finest hour.
Vitality’s Enduring Legacy: Challenging Astralis’ Records
Vitality’s dominant run in 2025, which saw them lift nine major trophies, including both Majors, is widely regarded as one of the most impressive years by any team in Counter-Strike history. This remarkable achievement rivals Astralis’ legendary 2018 season, where they secured ten titles but only one Major.
While the debate over which year stands supreme continues among Counter-Strike aficionados, Astralis’ peak roster undoubtedly held an edge in terms of longevity, maintaining their world-best status over a two-year period. However, Vitality’s victory in Kraków, though not their most overwhelming Grand Final, was a masterclass in adaptability and resilience, signaling their capacity for another dominant year and putting them firmly on course to emulate Astralis’ sustained era of excellence.
Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor
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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