Vitality wins the IEM Cologne 2024 finals over NaVi

Vitality have secured the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2024 title! After a thrilling finals against reigning Major champions Natus Vincere, the international squad emerged victorious with a dominant showing on Inferno to close out IEM Cologne 2024. This marks the first trophy for Vitality in 2024, after many months of regular playoffs appearances.

Grand Finals Recap – NaVi vs Vitality – IEM Cologne 2024

Before the game started, there was uncertainty about how the teams’ veto selection would shape up. The two international teams share a significant overlap in their player pool, making it hard to predict where their strength lies. NaVi opted to kick off their series on Nuke, where Aleksib’s calling has been impressive so far. Conversely, Vitality selected Dust2 as their preferred map following their strong win over SAW.

Nuke – Vitality steal NaVi’s pick in Overtime – 16:14

Initially, iM’s unique selling point mirrored Nikola “NiKo” Kovač’s unfortunate Deagle miss at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, which led to Vitality securing a pistol round victory and putting Navi in an economy-round predicament for the IEM Cologne 2024 Finals. However, despite iM’s impressive Deagle skills, Navi managed to turn things around once they had access to their primary weapons.

In the tight 3-3 standoff, I was grappling with NaVi’s lack of b1t in our attacks as Vitality consistently blocked our entry points. With the spotlight on me as a potential MVP for IEM Cologne 2024, it was crucial that I stepped up in the Finals. However, apEX and his team swiftly gained the upper hand, even with my best efforts to counter. In the end, they managed to secure 5 out of the last 6 rounds, wrapping up the first half.

In the game, Pistol’s lead grew even more, but Aleksib eventually gained control of the CT side. Gradually, his team worked their way back into the half until they were tied at 11-11. However, apEX contributed significantly with key frags, giving Vitality the first match point. Yet, NaVi persisted and pushed the game into overtime, despite Aleksib’s impressive entrance plays.

At the IEM Cologne 2024 finals, NaVi’s attacking side outperformed Vitality initially, but their defensive performance was less impactful. Consequently, their 14-13 advantage didn’t last long as Vitality’s defense solidified, taking the first map of the match.

Dust2 – “Absent on map one, but shows up in map two,” SPUNJ on b1t – 13:10

A fragging classic, Dust2 finally woke b1t up. The headhunter started things off with two clinical headshots to open the pistol. And that was converted into a quick 3-0 lead for NaVi. jL’s double B entries should’ve spelt a fourth, but Vitality managed to retake the notoriously difficult site to take their first. AWP out for ZywOo, and aggression from the Israeli duo meant NaVi had nowhere to go in round 5.

In round 6, NaVi managed to secure a forced buy, primarily focused on rifles. After scouting for opportunities throughout the map, NaVi successfully infiltrated the B site, engaging in a 2v2 situation. Aleksib played a crucial role, denying the two CT defenders and ultimately winning the round with his skillfully saved AK.

Energy perplexed the spectators as they questioned Vitality’s choice to focus solely on site B, abandoning site A entirely. When it seemed that Vitality was about to lose their economic advantage, ZywOo stepped in and clinched a victory for them using only a Deagle. Eliminating 4 opponents singlehandedly, he secured the B retake. He then capped off this impressive performance with an exquisite AWP shot on long.

“Absent on map one, but shows up in map two” – SPUNJ on b1t’s form

The French star played exceptionally well, consistently winning rounds for his team. In the final round of the first half, Vitality had more powerful tools at their disposal. However, a quick mistake and flameZ’s missed shots allowed NaVi to slightly lead as they moved into the second half.

From my perspective as a dedicated fan, NaVi’s CT side found themselves under constant assault on B-site in nearly every round. The duo of b1t and jL struggled to find their rhythm, leaving Aleksib in a seemingly endless cycle of retakes. However, NaVi managed to establish an 11-7 lead. Unfortunately, the third fall of B-site led to Vitality clinching the win. Post that unfortunate crouchbug incident for flameZ and a disputed map call, B-site was under fire once more. Yet, in this instance, b1t held his ground, ultimately securing the victory for NaVi on the map.

Mirage – apEX outlasts NaVi in triple Overtime – 22:20

Initially, Mirage secured another victory with a NaVi pistol round, yet Vitality swiftly responded. Both teams entered the match riding waves of success on this map, but it was Vitality who seized early victories during their CT phase as NaVi faced financial difficulties. Now rejuvenated, b1t breached the B site in round 8, earning NaVi their third win for the game.

1. Initially, b1t started in area A, and iM finished it off by tidying things up, resulting in a save. apEX appeared annoyed on camera, and jL’s mid openings likely didn’t help as he was denied in round 10. SPUNJ’s comment, “He’s having to take the risks,” aptly encapsulated what apEX was doing as Vitality kept slipping away. NaVi ended the first half with a stunning iM clutch, securing a 7-5 lead.

Vitality took the pistol conversion this time, but NaVi were quicker to answer, keeping the lead throughout. iM may have out-clutched flameZ in round 16, but the young gun answered back with a triple on the A-site, allowing his team to take the lead against just pistols. Guns back out, jL and iM found the perfect timing in mid to shut down apEX’s crew and take their tenth.

In the heat of the IEM Cologne 2024 finals, with just a handful of weapons separating us from claiming our second map victory, I quickly called a timeout to regroup my team. But it was iM who stepped up in back-to-back rounds, keeping Vitality at bay from any potential bombsites. As the tension mounted, NaVi found ourselves on the brink of success. All that remained were a couple of Galils and ZywOo’s lone AK. However, mezii’s precise shot with his Galil took advantage of wonderful’s AWP misfire, while flameZ thwarted an aggressive mid play, pushing the match into Overtime.

“This is where the individuals get put on display!” – Overtime on Mirage

w0nderful had been missing on the NaVi CT side, but in OT the Ukrainian sniper stepped up round after round. But after both rounds went down to a 1v1, it was Spinx and mezii coming out on top. apEX then turned on his sneak ability, hiding under palace to lock in map point. Round 29 was the most bizarre affair, as iM found the gap into B, but a mezii double nearly cancelled that out. But double overtime was on the menu as NaVi matched Vitality’s 15.

In the match, it was ZywOo who carried Vitality forward, while w0nderful struggled for wonders in return. The French AWPer’s performance was outstanding, leaving Navi without a response in the first half. If Vitality played well on the defensive side, Navi’s offense was impenetrable. Spinx almost managed a comeback from a 1v4 situation, but w0nderful stood firm, not wanting to let his team down and held his ground.

Initially, Vitality managed to secure a T-side attack round, despite jL’s impressive double kill from Underpass. The ensuing round in Counter-Strike 2 was thrilling. Vitality started with an edge against w0nderful, but NaVi gained a 4 versus 3 advantage on B defense. However, this lead was short-lived as it was swiftly reversed. Unfortunately for NaVi, b1t seemed to have missed the memo about saving. Consequently, the prolific headshot artist from Ukraine burst through the B postplant, helping NaVi secure their 20th round on Mirage. In the end, Vitality successfully completed their CT side attack to wrap up the map.

Inferno – Vitality stomp to close IEM Cologne 2024 Grand Finals- 13:2

After three nail-bitingly close rounds, Inferno shook up the gameplan completely. Vitality stormed out of the gates strong, and they didn’t let up against NaVi. NaVi’s defenses barely slowed down Vitality, only managing to secure two rounds during the first half. flameZ was on fire, while apEX took charge. It seemed like all hope was fading for NaVi.

In the A site, NaVi managed to gain an edge, but one after another, they squandered the opportunity, allowing Vitality to widen their lead to 11-3. However, during a one-on-one confrontation between jL and apEX, NaVi showed signs of resurgence. This revival led to three consecutive rounds for NaVi, with Vitality waiting for a full equipment purchase in round 17.

In an unexpected turn of events, whatever strategy XTQZZ had planned for the next round was quickly abandoned when b1t exposed two opponents peeking from the hallway. Aleksib then made a double entry, and NaVi managed to regain their ground in the match.

1. B1t continued to secure additional rounds in much the same manner, yet Vitality swiftly reminded NaVi of the current scoreline. With only ZywOo wielding an AWP and mezii displaying remarkable feats, the team clinched the championship point. On the brink of claiming the IEM Cologne 2024 Grand Finals title, NaVi managed to prolong the match, but ultimately it was futile. In the end, Vitality emerged victorious at IEM Cologne 2024, securing a 13-9 victory in the championship.

Vitality – IEM Cologne 2024 Champions!

After a long struggle, Vitality clinched victory at the Counter-Strike Cathedral. This monumental success for the team signals their ability to keep up with the best in the business, as preparations kick off for the Shanghai Major. For apEX, this triumph marks the culmination of a decade-long journey. Meanwhile, ZywOo, the exceptional AWP user, secured his first prestigious win by outperforming in all areas. This latest accolade is another impressive addition to his already impressive career portfolio!