That was quick. Vitality vs. Spirit has concluded in the IEM Katowice 2025 Final, finishing 3:0 to the former. Reigning champions Spirit have been dethroned, during a period when they have looked pretty unbeatable. The “Vitality with ropz” era is well and truly here, and a new competitor has emerged.
Vitality were flawless
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
This 3:0 series win was every bit as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Where Vitality looked confident, and downright flawless at times, Spirit looked out of sorts, and never really managed to find any momentum throughout this series. The credit all goes to Vitality. Yes, Spirit were bad, but Vitality forced them out of their comfort zones to make it a reality.
ZywOo will go down as the MVP for what was another legendary performance from the Frenchman, but you have to give big credit to apEX. At 31 years old, he put on an absolute clinic in the IEM Katowice 2025 Grand Final, outperforming both flameZ and mezii in the fragging department. He was performing well above his station, ensuring this series was able to end swiftly.
Spirit’s flaws without donk carry revealed
Image via Helena Kristiansson | ESL
What this Final really highlighted were the huge flaws in Team Spirit when donk isn’t performing to superhuman levels. He looked devastatingly mortal throughout this series, utterly nullified by Team Vitality’s game plan. He had some big moments, sure, but it wasn’t enough to single-handedly drag Spirit kicking and screaming over the finish line as it usually is.
It’s not donk’s fault that Spirit struggle whenever he doesn’t drop 30 every map – it’s a failure of the game plan to rely on someone performing so well as a win condition. Still, it’s something to consider going forward for the team. Regardless, even in defeat, magixx continues to develop a reputation as a player you can rely on in clutches. His numbers don’t read well in this Final, but there were certainly several big moments when magixx came up huge to keep Spirit in this one.