YNk said on the broadcast that “arrogant” map veto cost Vitality the final.
FURIA defeat Vitality, handing them their first 0-3 defeat in all of 2025. It’s only been 5 months since YEKINDAR and molodoy joined the Brazilian core. In that time, they have won 3 trophies, more than any Brazilian team in the past 8 years.
FURIA took on Team Vitality in the final of IEM Chengdu. The latter came in as the favorite, having won their last grand final 3-0, and winning their previous matchup against FURIA.
Ancient curveball into Inferno turnaround
Going into this series, both teams avoid playing Ancient at all costs. Knowing this, FURIA prepared and picked into it directly. The curveball paid off for FURIA, eaking out a 13-11 win.
In the first half, FURIA took the lead in their T-side, powered by a 1v2 clutch from molodoy. FURIA had a 8-4 lead and looked to take the lead in the series. In the second half, Vitality started to come back. On the voice comms, apEX said to keep the comms “simple”, which worked to get Vitality 7 rounds in a row. ZywOo had a 4k entry into the B bombsite with the AWP.
FURIA got a round at 11-8 and turned the tides, with a crucial 1v2 from FalleN with red HP. They proceeded to win every remaining round with ease to close out the map.
Inferno, Vitality’s map pick, started off great for them. They went up 5-0 against FURIA’s CT side. However, FURIA were able to grind out 5 CT rounds to come back into the game.
When it switched sides, FURIA came out decisive with repeated B presence, finding picks with the AWP and winning rounds cleanly. It wasn’t long before the game was 11-7 in favor of FURIA.
flameZ fanning too late
flameZ came out with huge rounds, including a solo 4k hold of banana, but it was too little too late. An A rush caught Vitality off-guard, putting FURIA on match point. Then, a 2v2 heralded by yuurih and KSCERATO closed out the map.
Ropz was unusually quiet for one of his best maps. Their fortunes had to change on Overpass to win their 9th trophy of the year.
Brawl on Overpass
Vitality got an 8-4 start on the CT side of Overpass, thanks to a strong early start. FURIA came back midway through the half, streaking 4 rounds. YEKINDAR’s aggressive play was key.
Vitality got the last round of the half thanks to a flash play where ropz got 3 kills.
The second half was just as contested, with YEKINDAR making an aggressive play in the pistol to disrupt Vitality’s A attack.
The rounds were back and forth, with clutches throughout. apEX won a 1v3 at 8-7, which might have turned the tides of the game. FURIA responded right back with a round of their own.
FURIA got to match point first, but Vitality got a 5v3 advantage in the final round with lower weapons. KSCERATO made a push in bathrooms, finding two kills, allowing his teammates to clean up long and the grand final.
Molodoy received the tournament MVP, and had a highlight on Overpass by sniping down apEX while crossing long in a lightning-fast flick.
Final words from apEX
In his post-match interview, apEX dismissed that the Ancient pick was crucial, saying that Vitality could have closed it out at 11-8.
He also said that Vitality needed to improve T sides on Train and Overpass. He also expressed that Vitality needed to improve as a whole, but “he doesn’t know how”.
He said that he is disappointed, but that it’s life and that Vitality will learn from this experience, going into BLAST Rivals and the Budapest Major.
Match Statistics
Team Vitality vs FURIA – | IEM Chengdu 2025
11-13 (Ancient) – molodoy | 1.28 rating
10-13 (Inferno) – flameZ | 1.58 rating
11-13 (Overpass) – YEKINDAR | 1.67 rating
