Vitality best The MongolZ to set up MOUZ clash

Vitality extend their streak over The MongolZ to five series wins in a row.

Vitality have secured their place in the grand final of ESL Pro League Season 21, taking down The MongolZ 2-1 to book a best-of-five matchup against MOUZ in Stockholm, Sweden.

Looking to build on their success at IEM Katowice, Vitality's return to action after skipping PGL Cluj-Napoca has so far been a resounding success, with the team now just one away from their second-consecutive event win. Standing in their way is a MOUZ side reinvigorated by Ludvig "⁠Brollan⁠" Brolin's calling, who are likewise looking for their second trophy of the year after recently coming out on top at PGL Cluj-Napoca.

Date	Matches
ESL Pro League Season 21
16/03/2025	MOUZ 17:00 Vitality	Match

Vitality still a problem for The MongolZ

For The MongolZ, this loss to Vitality marks their fifth in a row to the European squad. Garidmagnai "⁠bLitz⁠" Byambasuren's men have come out of this loss with a silver lining, however, as the Mongolian team laid claim to their first-ever map win against Vitality, stealing away the European squad's pick of Nuke 16-14.

Vitality have now denied The MongolZ two grand final berths in 2025, after having also bested the team in the semi-finals of IEM Katowice. As The MongolZ continue to search for their first Big Event win, Vitality are increasingly looking like a barrier that the Asian side will need to overcome to secure a notable title.

While their first map win over Vitality is certainly a step in the right direction, incredibly one-sided losses on Anubis (4-13) and Inferno (2-13) in this series highlight that more needs to done in The MongolZ camp before they get their hands on a significant trophy.

Champions set to clash

Vitality's win over The MongolZ will set up the second series between them and former teammate Lotan "⁠Spinx⁠" Giladi, who has found a new home in 2025 with MOUZ. Alongside Spirit, these two sides are among the few who have laid claim to a trophy this season, and one of them is now bound for a second.

Date	Matches
ESL Pro League Season 21
09/03/2025	Vitality Finished 2:0 MOUZ	Match

The two squads faced off for the first time this year earlier during EPL Season 21, as Vitality swept aside the PGL Cluj-Napoca champions 2-0 during Stage 2 of the event. In addition to potentially being able to snag their second event win in a row, MOUZ will also have the opportunity to claim revenge against a team that will likely continue to be a major rival for the remainder of the season.

"We played pretty well against [MOUZ] the first game," Dan "⁠apEX⁠" Madesclaire shared in a post-match interview after beating The MongolZ. "They are showing a really great level. With the Spinx addition, he is not the star player, but they function well together.

"It was great to see them playing today, when I watched the game they played pretty well. I don't think it's going to be as easy as it was in the groups, I think it's going to be harder."

Vitality looking for the Grand Slam

Vitality are now one step closer to taking the lead in the race for the fifth Intel Grand Slam, having already racked up two important wins at IEM Cologne 2024 and IEM Katowice 2025. Vitality are currently tied in the race for $1,000,000 with Natus Vincere, who have two wins of their own from EPL Season 20 and IEM Rio 2024.

An event win for Vitality in Stockholm would put them just one trophy hoist away from laying claim to the Grand Slam, a career milestone that apEX and Mathieu "⁠ZywOo⁠" Herbaut have yet to achieve. Conversely, new addition Robin "⁠ropz⁠" Kool would join former teammate Russel "⁠Twistzz⁠" Van Dulken in having the honor of having two Grand Slam victories to his name.