Vitality Secures Playoff Spot in Paris Major with Victory over Monte

Vitality, led by Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, has secured a place in the playoffs of the BLAST.tv Paris Major.

The team emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-0 win (Anubis 16-10, Nuke 16-13) over Monte in the Legends Stage’s 2-0 pool.

“It feels amazing, I’m not going to lie,” said apEX in a post-match interview, expressing his joy at making the Major playoffs for the first time since 2021 in Stockholm.

He also acknowledged the pressure the team faced, particularly with the added expectations of playing on home soil. However, Vitality handled the pressure well and came out on top.

The victory guarantees Vitality a playoff appearance in front of their home crowd at the Accor Arena. Both apEX and ZywOo will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the stage when they play their quarter-final match on either Thursday or Friday.

The win also brings a sense of relief to Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, who had expressed confidence in Vitality’s playoff chances. Vitality seized the opportunity and ensured they did not let three chances slip away.

Monte started strong on their map pick, Anubis, taking a 5-1 lead on the CT side. However, Vitality quickly regained their composure and turned the tide, finishing the half with an 8-7 lead. In the second half, Vitality dominated, extending their lead to 14-8. Although Monte managed to secure a few rounds, a clutch play by Emil “Magisk” Reif sealed their fate, resulting in a 10-16 defeat on their home map.

Nuke, a map on which Vitality had a seven-map winning streak, proved to be a more closely contested battle. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team gaining a substantial lead. However, Vitality’s 10-5 advantage going into the CT side gave them an edge. Although Monte mounted a comeback, Vitality held their ground and secured a playoff spot with a 16-13 victory.

Vitality’s flawless 3-0 record in Paris has positioned them as one of the favorites to win the tournament. They have carried their momentum from their title-winning campaign in IEM Rio in April and are eager to make a mark in CS:GO’s last-ever Major.

Meanwhile, Monte will regroup and look to bounce back in their 2-1 game later on Monday. As a formidable opponent to many top teams, they will strive to maintain their strong performance and join Vitality in the eight-team Champions Stage.