The BLAST Rivals – Season 1, a CS2 tournament, wrapped up on Sunday. Vitality took home the trophy after a nail-biting five-map final against Falcons.
A Rematch with High Stakes
The two teams had previously clashed just a week earlier in the IEM Melbourne final, where Vitality emerged victorious with a 3-2 score. This time around, the stakes were just as high. The tournament featured only eight teams and a fast-paced format. paiN Gaming, representing Brazil, was eliminated early on.
A Thrilling Match
The MD5 final was intense from start to finish. Falcons shocked Vitality by winning the first map, Inferno, 13-9. However, Vitality quickly bounced back, dominating Dust2 and Train with 13-6 victories in both maps. With a 2-1 lead, Vitality was on the brink of claiming the title and solidifying their position as a top team. Some were even speculating if they could end the “Astralis Era.”
A Dramatic Turnaround
m0NESY’s clutch performance in overtime on Mirage changed the game, securing a 16-14 win for Falcons and forcing a deciding fifth map. Vitality, however, remained focused and delivered a solid performance on Nuke, winning 13-8 and claiming their fifth consecutive title in 2025.
BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK. WE’RE YOUR BLAST RIVALS CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/z2EK16BP9d
— Team Vitality CS (@TeamVitalityCS) May 4, 2025