After an exciting weekend of games in Austin, TX’s Moody Center, the BLAST.tv Austin Major, the big question was whether or not the Grand Final would be a Cinderella story for The Mongolz, the first Asian team and youngest team to make it to the stage. Or, would it be apEX-led Vitality who took home their seventh trophy in a row and make up for their back-to-back losses to FaZe Clan in the last two Majors?
If Vitality was to be believed, Cinderella stories are bull, but it was hard not to root for the team from Mongolia who introduced their game, highlighting their youth as “kids who just want to play Counter-Strike.” But youth couldn’t outplay tested and true veterans in the end.
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Blast.tv Austin Major Grand Final: Vitality vs Mongolz Map 1
The Grand Final match of Vitality vs Mongolz was a match up between the front runner vs the underdog. Everyone in the arena and everywhere knew Vitality was the favorite, but that didn’t stop them rooting for The Mongolz. The Grand Final did end up going the distance, but much like the semifinals all the games weren’t even relatively close.
The first game was on Mirage, and the first half was a barn burner as it went back and forth with The Mongolz edging out a 7-5 lead at the half. The second half, however, was a totally different story. The Mongolz did a clean sweep of the second half to defeat Vitality. This was capped off by the impressive Ace by 910 to make it 12-5. This was the first time The Mongolz had been able to defeat Vitality on a map not named Nuke. Vitality looked a little shell-shocked during the first game, as for many people, this was expected to be an easy 2-o sweep for Vitality.
The Mongolz were now just a single win away from winning the title and just came off an impressive win in Game 1, the crowd was full of energy, it looked like this could be Boston 2018 all over again with an underdog pulling off a massive upset over the clear cut favorites. However, that the high for The Mongolz of this Blast.tv Austin Major Grand Final. Vitality proceeded to take control of the next two matches and win a very decisive victory to be the Austin Major Champions.
Blast.tv Austin Major Grand Final: Vitality vs Mongolz Map 2
The second match was on DUST2 and Vitality just came out jumping to a 6-0 lead before ending the half up 9-3. The second half wasn’t any better for The Mongolz as they pretty much swept right off the map with the final being 13-4 in favor of Vitality.
The third and final game of the Austin Major was Inferno, which was a map that had haunted Vitality this tournament. Vitality had two very badly beaten losses on this map, including to MOUZ in the semifinal. The Mongolz even won the first round, and it looked like things could be aligning for the underdogs.
This was short-lived as Vitality came right back, winning the next few rounds. Eventually holding another 9-3 lead at the half. Vitality came out of the half winning first three rounds to put The Mongolz on match point. The crowd got a little bit of a theatricals as Mongolz were able to make it to six round wins before falling overall 13-6.
Blast.tv Austin Major Grand Final: Vitality vs Mongolz Map 2
This really was a game of two players playing on opposite ends of the spectrum. 910 had the Ace in Game 1, and who had arguably been the best player in the playoffs coming into this game, struggled heavily starting Game 3 0-8 before finishing 7-18.
The villain apEX came into the major and finals wanting to be the best, and he rose to the occasion. Playing splendidly in all facets of the game, with decisive kills and bomb defuses, and when his team needed to win a moment, he was there making a play. apEX finished Game 3 17-11 and the series at a 43-33 scoreline.
As much as it was about individual performances, there was plenty to cheer or second-guess upon for each team. Vitality after Game 1 came together, played very well, capitalizing on all the Mongolz’s mistakes, and just were the better and more decisive team.
The Mongolz for playing so well in the first game just looked like a completely different team afterwards. There was a period where it seemed every round, three players would get chipped by a Molotov cocktail every single time. Starting each round with multiple players injured or someone getting picked off just really hurt them so much. Much credit to Vitality for punishing The Mongolz and their mistakes, but The Mongolz really seemed lost out there and were beating themselves after a while.
There is no underdog winner at the end of this story as Vitality is your Blast.tv Austin Major 2025 Champions. They came in as one of the favorites to win the titl,e and they are leaving as the champions. Despite some hiccup games, the part dominated their opponents in the semifinals and Grand Final.
While the entire stadium was rooting for The Mongolz, the villain won. But apEX showed that his cockiness isn’t without merit. Instead, arrogance isn’t arrogance if you can bring the results. And apEX did, time and time again.
The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is being held in Austin, TX at The Moody Center from June 19 to June 22, 2025.
