- Team Vitality have just been crowned champions of the prestigious Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2024 following a magnificent victory against NAVI in the Grand Final.
- After dominating the group stages, losing only one match, the team composed of Dan 'apEX' Madesclaire, Mathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut, Lotan 'Spinx' Giladi, Shahar 'flameZ' Shushan' and William 'mezii' Merriman showed unfailing endurance to prevail in an iconic tournament.
- This is the first time that a French esports club has won the coveted trophy within the “Counter-Strike Cathedral”.
Paris, August 18, 2024 – French esports club Team Vitality has just won the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2024 at the LANXESS Arena, becoming the first French team in history to capture the iconic trophy.
CONTROL OF THE SITUATION UNTIL VICTORY
The team composed of Dan 'apEX' Madesclaire, Mathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut, Lotan 'Spinx' Giladi, Shahar 'flameZ' Shushan', and William 'mezii' Merriman had an exemplary performance throughout the tournament.
The incredible, breathless and long final in BO5 was a real demonstration of tenacity and rigor on the part of the team's players. Special mention for zywOo who managed to grab the title of MVP of the tournament!
In front of an arena filled with Golden Hornets, players apEX and ZywOo became the first French people to lift the trophy!
TEAM VITALITY CONTINUES TO WRITE ITS LEGEND
The victory in Cologne is the organization's first title in a major tournament this year. By defeating NAVI, Team Vitality wins one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Counter-Strike calendar. This is an unprecedented feat that has never been achieved by a French club or a French player.
Fabien Devide, President of Team Vitality, said: “This victory highlights the hard work and mental strength of our team. Winning IEM Cologne is a historic moment for us, but also for French esports. We are extremely proud of our players for their exceptional performance and we look forward to continuing this momentum for the rest of the year.”
This victory puts Team Vitality in a strong position heading into the upcoming major tournaments. With the ESL Pro League Season 20, the BLAST Premier: Fall Finals on the horizon, and the Perfect World Shanghai Major closing out the year.
