Until the Austin Major came around, Team Vitality was on an absolute burner. The team had failed to lose a single match since February 1st, tearing through all comers and winning every tournament they entered. Then, in Austin, Texas, an unlikely challenger in the form of Legacy popped up and dealt Team Vitality a sizeable blow.
However, the loss (which was quite punishing) hasn’t sullied Vitality’s sentiments. In a post-match interview during the Austin Major playoffs, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut explained that the tactic is to just start all over again.
‘We Love To Be Booed’
ZywOo is having one hell of a season with Team Vitality. The CS superstar has claimed the top spot this year at a sensational array of events:
- IEM Katowice (the last one ever)
- ESL Pro League Season 21
- BLAST Open Spring 2025
- ESL Grand Slam
- IEM Melbourne
- BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
- IEM Dallas
And now the team is on track to secure victory at the Austin Major after eliminating Natus Vincere and MOUZ from the running. All that stands between Team Vitality and another trophy lift is either The MongolZ or paiN Gaming.
In a post-match interview with Gaming World Media’s Jake Lucky, ZywOo laid out the road ahead, reflecting on the loss against Legacy that cut short a 131-day winning streak:
It doesn’t matter. Even before starting this Major, we said if we lose the win streak, it’s fine – we’re gonna make a new one.
It doesn’t matter if we lose the win streak. It’s kind of good for us, when we lost to Legacy. I think it was just a slap in our face to release the pressure.
He also spoke on reacting to the crowd booing Vitality, suggesting it’s not that big a deal for the players:
We love to be booed, it gives us energy.
It doesn’t matter.
Next time we will do the middle finger and they will boo us again.
In another interview with Sjokz on the main stage, Vitality’s apEX shared a similar sentiment:
apEX on the crowd’s booing: “Just scream on us, boo us, I don’t give a f*ck”
Team Vitality’s win streak was one of the most impressive, unbroken runs in esports history, and it’s technically not over yet. The team is just one match away from another tournament victory.
What do you think the odds are of Team Vitality winning the Austin Major? Let me know on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Riot Games has revealed a League Game Changers circuit
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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