The ESL Pro League 21, an international Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) championship, wrapped up with a surprisingly quick and quiet finale on Sunday, March 16. This decisive match may mark the beginning of a new era in the Valve game, as two top-tier teams, Team Vitality and MOUZ, faced off. Both teams had previously claimed championship titles in recent tournaments – Vitality won the IEM Katowice, while MOUZ took home the PGL Cluj-Napoca title.
Given their impressive track records, the final match was highly anticipated, with fans expecting a closely contested series with games decided by narrow margins. However, the actual outcome was quite different. The first map, Dust 2, saw Vitality secure a 13-9 win, taking an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. The subsequent maps were even more one-sided, with Vitality dominating Nuke 13-4 and closing out the series 3-0 with a 13-5 victory on Inferno.
This resounding win may indeed signal the start of a “Vitality Era” in CS2, as the team itself proclaimed on X (formerly Twitter) after their championship win: “WELCOME TO THE VITALITY ERA.” The team’s post, accompanied by a photo, proudly announced their status as ESL Pro League S21 champions. As a result of their victory, Vitality took home a prize of $100,000, approximately R$575,000. Both teams are set to face off again at the Blast Lisboa, scheduled to take place from March 19 to 30, where they will compete in Group A.
The ESL Pro League 21 finale was a significant event, with Vitality’s win potentially marking a shift in the CS2 landscape. As the CS2 scene continues to evolve, fans can expect more intense competition and thrilling matches in the future. With the Blast Lisboa just around the corner, teams will be gearing up to take on the challenge and make their mark on the game.
Upcoming Matches
The Blast Lisboa, scheduled for March 19-30, will feature both Vitality and MOUZ in Group A. Fans can look forward to more exciting matches as the teams compete against each other and other top-tier opponents.
Prize and Recognition
Vitality’s win at the ESL Pro League 21 earned them a significant prize of $100,000 and recognition as one of the top teams in the CS2 scene. Their victory may inspire other teams to step up their game and challenge Vitality’s dominance in future tournaments.
As the CS2 community continues to grow and evolve, events like the ESL Pro League 21 and Blast Lisboa play a crucial role in shaping the game’s competitive landscape. With new teams emerging and established teams continuing to innovate, the future of CS2 looks bright, and fans can expect many more thrilling matches and tournaments in the months to come.
