Team Vitality is the undisputed best Counter-Strike 2 team in the world, and their latest victory at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Melbourne only reinforces that status. This marks their 21st straight win of the year, adding to a dominant run that includes victory titles at IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 21, and BLAST Open Spring 2025.

By winning their fourth ESL tournament in less than a year, the club has gained legendary status, becoming the fifth team in the game to win the ESL Grand Slam (after FaZe, NAVI, Team Liquid, and Astralis). To celebrate this historic moment for the club, Team Vitality is partnering with the iconic brand DearBBall to launch a capsule collection of exclusive products, paying tribute to a team with an undeniable track record of excellence.

THE HIVE MAKES HISTORY: TEAM VITALITY REIGNS SUPREME

Entering the tournament as the top-ranked CS2 team in the world, Team Vitality once again proved its exceptional talent. The elite roster, including captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, William “mezii” Merriman, and Robin “ropz” Kool, demonstrated flawless synergy and world-class skills throughout the tournament, concluding in a decisive victory in the Grand Finals against Team Falcons. The team not only secured the IEM Melbourne title but also won the prestigious ESL Grand Slam, a monumental achievement for the organisation.

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In the Semi-Finals, Team Vitality delivered a masterful performance against Team MongolZ, setting the tone for an electric Grand Final performance against Team Falcons.

After an incredible 3-2 win in the Grand Final, which included a triple-overtime decider on the final map, Nuke, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut was named tournament MVP thanks to a series of impressive performances and a decisive presence throughout the tournament.

In addition to capturing the IEM Melbourne title, the team won the prestigious ESL Grand Slam, a monumental achievement for both the organization and the history of Counter-Strike. With this victory, Team Vitality added one of the most coveted trophies to its collection, along with a $1 million cash prize.

TEAM VITALITY AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME ON COUNTER–STRIKE 2

By securing a fourth major international trophy this year, Team Vitality and its players have firmly cemented their place among the legends of the game. The club’s dominance in CS2, highlighted by an ESL Grand Slam victory and an extraordinary 21-game winning streak, confirms its status as a global powerhouse and marks a historic milestone, fueled by the unwavering support of its passionate community.

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This triumph also represents a career-defining moment for several players, starting with captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, who captures the final major title missing from his storied record (adding the Grand Slam to his two Majors, Katowice, and Cologne victories). Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut continues his remarkable ascent, solidifying his position as the most decorated player in CS history with a 24th MVP title earned during this tournament. Together, apEX and ZywOo become the first two French players ever to win an ESL Grand Slam, a historic achievement for these two icons of the Parisian club.

Driven by a clear ambition to become the world’s leading esports organization, Team Vitality places performance at the core of its new strategic era. In Counter-Strike, the mission is bold: to inspire, to dominate, and to leave a lasting legacy on the global stage. This vision reflects the club’s commitment to establishing itself as a benchmark in international competition and making an enduring impact on fans around the world.

Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality, said: “This is a historic moment for Team Vitality as we become the 5th club in history to win the ESL Grand Slam. We are now part of a legendary club that has left its mark on the history of the game. After more than six hours of play, I’m proud of the mentality and the incredible display from this team. To see them achieve such greatness makes me feel so proud.”

CELEBRATING IN STYLE: A CAPSULE COLLECTION WITH DEARBBALL TO CELEBRATE THE EVENT

To celebrate their Grand Slam victory, Team Vitality and basketball brand DearBBall are launching an exclusive capsule collection. This limited-edition drop pays tribute to the five players on the roster, highlighting their unique personalities, strengths, and lifestyles.

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For each player, the collection features a dedicated hoodie, sweatshirt, and t-shirt, available in black or white, each piece accompanied by a personalized description. A historic collaboration and a must-have for fans – available in limited quantities!

Bojoko.com, the award-winning iGaming affiliate platform, has reached another significant milestone by surpassing €100 million in all-time player deposits.

This achievement comes just ten months after Bojoko announced hitting €75 million in deposits in May 2024, highlighting the company’s strong and sustained growth trajectory.

The latest figure represents a €25 million increase in under a year—a testament to Bojoko’s ability to consistently attract and convert high-quality players for its partners.

“Reaching €100 million in deposits is not only a proud moment for us—it’s a validation of our team’s hard work and the trust we’ve earned from players and partners alike,” said Joonas Karhu, Co-Founder of Bojoko. “We are hitting milestones faster and faster, and I could not be happier about how we have positioned ourselves”.

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Bojoko’s success is built on its unique model, which allows users to browse, compare, and review online casinos, betting sites, and bingo platforms listed on the site.

“This is just the beginning,” Karhu added. “We’re building Bojoko to be the most trusted and effective affiliate platform in the industry, and this €100 million milestone shows we’re well on our way.”

This milestone follows Bojoko’s acquisition by North Star Network (NSN) in February 2025, a strategic move that has further strengthened the company’s global footprint.

NSN, a leading international sports media group, acquired Bojoko to bolster its performance marketing arm and expand its presence in the online gambling space.

“Joining NSN has been a huge boost for Bojoko. It’s given us the network needed to scale even more rapidly. It could not have happened at a better time, given our current trajectory. I could not be more excited about the coming year and seeing how quickly we can reach our next major milestone.”

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