Last night, Team Vitality’s Counter-Strike 2 team was crowned champion of the StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 after a 3-1 victory over Aurora Gaming in the grand final in Barcelona, Spain.
This victory marks Team Vitality’s first title since May and adds to the trophy case of a team that continues to rise to the occasion when the pressure is at its peak. With six trophies won in 2026, the team has once again demonstrated its ability to perform under pressure. The message sent to the scene is clear: the Vitality era is far from over.
A SIXTH TROPHY WON IN BARCELONA
The StarLadder StarSeries Fall brought together eight of the world’s best Counter-Strike teams, all competing for a share of the $500,000 prize pool, and Team Vitality wasted no time in making its ambitions clear.
Composed of Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Robin “ropz” Kool, William “mezii” Merriman, and Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, the team returned to the international stage with its sights set on another trophy. They got off to a perfect start with a convincing 2-0 victory over MOUZ in the Upper Bracket quarterfinals, before winning 2-0 again against FURIA in the Upper Bracket semifinals. Next up was the Upper Bracket final against Aurora Gaming. After a particularly hard-fought series, Team Vitality lost 1-2 and dropped into the Lower Bracket, with no room for error.
The roster responded perfectly, facing FURIA again in the Lower Bracket final. A 2-0 victory secured their spot in the Grand Final and gave them another chance to get revenge against Aurora Gaming. Aurora Gaming ultimately clinched the series with a 3-1 victory in the Grand Final.
As usual, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was named the tournament’s MVP, earning the 33rd MVP title of his career. This latest accolade further enhances his already exceptional record and reaffirms, once again, his place among the most influential players in Counter-Strike history.
IS THE VITALITY ERA BACK?
After a particularly successful start to 2026, the team experienced a few setbacks, “only” qualifying for the playoffs in recent tournaments. The squad also had to cope with the temporary absence of William “mezii” Merriman, who has been replaced by player JL during his paternity leave, forcing the team to adapt to a new playstyle.
Back on the server, King mezii quickly found his footing and demonstrated his full potential, playing a key role in securing this new title. This is a true testament to the team’s perseverance, ambition, and unwavering commitment to establishing a lasting presence at the top of Counter-Strike.
Now fueled by renewed confidence and unwavering determination, the team is setting its sights on its next goal: ESL Pro League Season 24 in Poland, which kicks off on October 3.