Team Vitality has emerged as one of the most compelling and successful organizations in the history of competitive Counter-Strike. Founded with the intent to create a dominant French esports team, Vitality has evolved into a global powerhouse in both Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Counter-Strike 2 (CS2).
With its initial goal of uniting top-tier French talent and then expanding to international lineups, the team has left an indelible mark on the Counter-Strike ecosystem through exceptional performances in major tournaments, including their historic win at the final CS:GO Major, the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, and most recently, the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025.
This article sheds light on the dynamic journey of Team Vitality, highlighting their current roster, former players, notable achievements, and a detailed account of their success across significant events.
Team Vitality – Origins and Early Development
Team Vitality was founded in October 2013 by Nicolas Maurer, Fabien “Neo” Devide, Corentin “Gotaga” Houssein, and Kevin “Shaunz.” Initially, Vitality focused on building its reputation in various esports titles, including FIFA and Call of Duty, before finally venturing into Counter-Strike in October 2018.
The organization’s Counter-Strike division was launched with an ambitious plan to form a “French super team.” However, the limited pool of accessible French talent in CS:GO prompted Vitality to expand its horizons and begin fielding international players to achieve its vision of competing at the highest level.
Vitality’s Current Roster
The current lineup of Team Vitality in Counter-Strike 2 carries forward the legacy of the French organization while embracing a multinational approach. This roster mixes experience, youth, and extraordinary talent:
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut: Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Counter-Strike’s history, ZywOo has been the backbone of Vitality’s success. Known for his incredible consistency and versatility, he has earned accolades like “MVP” in numerous tournaments.
Shahar “flameZ” Shushan: A young and promising player from Israel who brings raw firepower and energy to the lineup.
William “mezii” Merriman: A rising talent from the UK, known for his sharp mechanics and tactical depth.- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire: The team captain and a pillar of Vitality’s leadership. apEX is celebrated for his exceptional in-game decisions and adaptability under pressure.
Robin “ropz” Kool: Dubbed one of the smartest players in the world, the Estonian joined Vitality in a blockbuster move from FaZe at the start of 2025.
Past Rosters – Evolution Through The Years
Vitality’s journey through Counter-Strike has seen numerous player changes, with each iteration shaping the team’s identity:
- Kévin “misutaaa” Rabier: Served from 2020 to 2022, bringing youthful energy to the team during crucial rebuilding phases.
- Jayson “Kyojin” Nguyen Van: Played for Vitality before leaving in 2022. Known for his potential, but the team sought greater tactical depth when he departed.
Emil “Magisk” Reif and Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen: Both players were instrumental during the transformation phase when Vitality stepped into the international realm and was part of the 2023 Major win in Paris.- Lotan “Spinx” Giladi: An Israeli rifler who joined Vitality in 2022. His versatility and intelligence have added layers of complexity to the team’s strategies. He was moved to the inactive roster at the start of 2025, and later on joined MOUZ.
Notable Achievements – CS:GO Era
Team Vitality has cemented its legacy within the Counter-Strike scene through a string of legendary performances and tournament victories:
🏆 BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 – $500,000
🏆 BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 – $500,000
🏆 BLAST Premier: World Final 2023 – $500,000
🏆 IEM Katowice 2025 – $400,000
🏆 IEM Cologne 2024 – $400,000
🏆 Gamers8 2023 – $400,000
🏆 EPICENTER 2019 – $250,000
BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023
BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023
The crowning achievement of Team Vitality was their victory at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, the final Major in CS:GO history. The team defeated GamerLegion 2-0 in the Grand Finals, securing their first Major title. ZywOo was awarded the MVP of the tournament in recognition of his phenomenal gameplay. Vitality’s flawless run in the playoffs showed their dominance, as they didn’t lose a single map throughout the event. Notably, their title victory was a historic moment, being the last title before the game transitioned to Counter-Strike 2.
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
Vitality secured their second Major title at the Austin Major in June 2025, where they once again looked dominant throughout the playoffs. The team defeated The MongolZ 2-1 in the Grand Final and became only the second CS2 Major champions in history.
IEM Cologne 2024
Although this victory came in the era of Counter-Strike 2, Vitality’s win at IEM Cologne 2024 marked their smooth transition to the new game. This title continued their momentum, emphasizing their consistency across different Counter-Strike iterations.
IEM Katowice 2025
With the addition of ropz, Vitality finally broke their “Katowice curse” and won the prestigious event in Poland with a dominant 3-0 win in the Grand Final against the high-flying Team Spirit.
Results in Counter-Strike Major Championships
Over their Counter-Strike career, Vitality has maintained a strong presence in Major Championships. Here’s how they performed:
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 – 1st place
Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 – Quarterfinals
PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 – 3–4th place
BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 – 1st place
IEM Rio Major 2022 – Legends Stage
PGL Major Antwerp 2022 – Legends Stage
PGL Major Stockholm 2021 – Quarterfinals
StarLadder Major Berlin 2019 – Quarterfinals
IEM Katowice Major 2019 – Legends Stage
Transition to Counter-Strike 2
With the release of Counter-Strike 2, Vitality has successfully transitioned while maintaining their competitive edge. The inclusion of younger talents like flameZ and mezii ensures that the team remains dynamic and adaptable to the new mechanics of the game. As seen in IEM Cologne 2024, the team’s cohesion and raw skill have translated effectively into the CS2 era, laying a solid foundation for continued success.
Vitality FAQ – Answers to Popular Questions
What is Team Vitality known for?
Team Vitality is renowned for their success in esports, particularly in Counter-Strike and other competitive titles. They are best known for their dominant wins at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 and Austin Major 2025.
Who is ZywOo?
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut is a professional Counter-Strike player and one of the most celebrated talents in the game. He is Vitality’s star player and has won numerous MVP awards.
When was Team Vitality founded?
Team Vitality was founded in October 2013 by Nicolas Maurer, Fabien “Neo” Devide, Corentin “Gotaga” Houssein, and Kevin “Shaunz.”
Who is Vitality’s captain?
Dan “apEX” Madesclaire serves as the captain of Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike squad.
What was Vitality’s first Major title?
Vitality’s first Major triumph came at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, where they defeated GamerLegion in the Grand Finals.
Has Vitality won any notable tournaments outside Majors?
Yes, Vitality has won several prestigious tournaments, including the Esports Championship Series Season 7, EPICENTER 2019, IEM Cologne 2024, IEM Katowice 2025, and the BLAST Premier: World Final 2023.
What is Vitality’s significance in French esports?
Vitality initially aimed to be a French super team, representing the nation in Counter-Strike. Over time, they expanded to a global roster while retaining their French identity.
How has Vitality adjusted to Counter-Strike 2?
Vitality has successfully transitioned to Counter-Strike 2, winning tournaments like IEM Cologne 2024, the Austin Major 2025, and IEM Katowice 2025 — proving their adaptability and skill in the new version.
Who are Vitality’s newest recruits?
Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, William “mezii” Merriman, and Robin “ropz” Kool are the newest additions to Vitality’s roster, bringing young talent and experience to the team.
What was Vitality’s most iconic match?
The Grand Finals of the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 against GamerLegion and the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 against The MongolZ are considered two of Vitality’s most iconic matches, crowning them as Major champions.
