- Vitality vs FaZe at the Budapest Major 2025: Overview
- How to watch the Budapest Major grand final VOD
- Vitality vs FaZe map veto, score and quick stats
- Map 1 – Nuke: FaZe start strong
- Map 2 – Dust II: Vitality strike back
- Map 3 – Inferno: Vitality wrest control
- Map 4 – Overpass: Vitality close the series
- Team Vitality’s road to the Budapest Major title
- FaZe Clan’s miracle run and future outlook
- CS2 skins, the Budapest Major hype and uuskins.com
- What this grand final means for CS2 esports in 2026
Vitality vs FaZe at the Budapest Major 2025: Overview
The CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 grand final delivered exactly what fans wanted: a clash between the tournament favorites Team Vitality and the revived powerhouse FaZe Clan. On paper, Vitality came in as the most consistent roster of the year, while FaZe had to grind through every stage and rebuild their identity with new players.
In the end, Vitality proved why they were the favorites. They took down FaZe 3‑1 in a best-of-five, securing:
- Their third Major trophy as an organization
- Their second CS2 Major in a row in 2025
- A serious claim to being one of the greatest lineups in Counter-Strike history
FaZe, on the other hand, showed that they still belong on the biggest stages. Despite being labeled underdogs before the Playoffs, they knocked out heavyweights like MOUZ and NAVI and even started the grand final with an impressive win on Nuke. But once Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut locked into his tournament form and William “mezii” Merriman came online, Vitality took full control of the series.
Both teams entered the arena with historic stakes: Vitality chasing back-to-back Majors and FaZe hunting their second Major title after Antwerp 2022. What followed was a grand final that balanced storyline, strategy and individual heroics.
How to watch the Budapest Major grand final VOD
If you missed the live broadcast, you can still rewatch the full grand final VOD. The match was played on Championship Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Budapest’s MVM Dome.
Head over to the official StarLadder CS2 live channel on YouTube and look for the Budapest Major 2025 grand final VOD:
- Channel: StarLadder CS Live on YouTube
- Match: Team Vitality vs FaZe Clan – Grand Final (BO5)
Even if you already know the result, the VOD is worth watching for:
- ZywOo’s mid-series awakening
- mezii’s clutch moments on Inferno
- FaZe’s early dominance on Nuke
- The tactical evolution of both teams over the map pool
Vitality vs FaZe map veto, score and quick stats
The grand final was played as a best-of-five, which really tests depth of map pool, mental resilience and IGL prep. Here is a cleaned-up overview of the veto and final scoreline:
Budapest Major 2025 grand final – Map veto & score
- Map bans:
- Map 1 – Nuke (FaZe pick):
FaZe 13‑6 Vitality - Map 2 – Dust II (Vitality pick):
Vitality 13‑3 FaZe - Map 3 – Inferno (FaZe pick):
Vitality 13‑9 FaZe - Map 4 – Overpass (Vitality pick):
Vitality 13‑2 FaZe - Map 5 – Mirage (decider):
Not needed – series ended 3‑1 for Vitality.
The series can be summarized like this:
- FaZe dominated the opener on Nuke, playing loose, confident CS.
- Dust II flipped the momentum entirely, as Vitality crushed FaZe with proactive plays and a fully awakened ZywOo.
- Inferno was closer, but Vitality handled key clutches and mid-rounds better.
- Overpass was a demolition job. Vitality shut down any hopes of a FaZe comeback.
After the series, mezii called this Vitality lineup “one of the greatest of all time”, and it’s hard to argue when you look at their Major record.
Map 1 – Nuke: FaZe start strong
FaZe opened the grand final on Nuke, a comfort pick for this roster across both CS:GO and CS2. They had already shown a sharp Nuke earlier in the event, both against Vitality in Swiss and versus NAVI, and they brought the same pace into the final.
The pistols went FaZe’s way after Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken edged out mezii in a tense 1v1. From there, FaZe snowballed the early rounds with confident T-side calls from Finn “karrigan” Andersen. Their aggression around yard, quick upper hits and well-timed ramp crunches kept Vitality constantly off-balance.
Vitality still showed flashes of their usual brilliance – especially on low buys – but they couldn’t chain rounds together. It was the kind of half where you feel like they might turn it around any moment, but small mistakes kept creeping in.
Key moments on Nuke
- Twistzz’s pistol clutch: Set the tone for FaZe’s T side, giving them economy and confidence.
- Vitality’s missed chances: ZywOo, usually lights-out in big games, missed a few uncharacteristic shots, and the whole team looked just a bit off in the first half.
- jcobbb steps up: Rookie Jakub “jcobbb” Pietruszewski had explosive rounds with the Desert Eagle, turning what should be low-percentage buys into round wins.
- karrigan punishes over-aggression: In a pivotal late-round, Vitality over-committed into karrigan’s crosshair, turning a favorable situation into match point for FaZe on the map.
The final scoreline 13‑6 for FaZe made it look one-sided, but more importantly, it forced Vitality to wake up. From this point on, the favorites locked in and began playing closer to their true level.
Map 2 – Dust II: Vitality strike back
If Nuke was a FaZe highlight reel, Dust II was the exact opposite. This was Vitality’s playground. Once they got rolling, FaZe were constantly a step behind, even when the rounds looked competitive.
Vitality won the pistol via sharp trades and clinical spacing. Shahar “flameZ” Shushan closed out the round with crisp final shots, and from there Vitality never really looked back. ZywOo completely shook off his slow start from Nuke and began putting up star-level numbers.
Key moments on Dust II
- Vitality’s pistol conversions: Winning both pistol rounds and converting them cleanly gave them massive economic control.
- ZywOo’s statement performance: Multi-kills, impact AWPing and a huge 4K in the second pistol made it clear he was now in full “Major MVP” mode.
- FaZe’s eco magic isn’t enough: FaZe managed a few impressive rounds on low buys, but quick rotations and calm mid-round decisions from Vitality shut down most of their comeback attempts.
- Creative pace changes: Vitality mixed reckless B aggression with slow, contact-based defaults. When their over-aggression got punished, they instantly adapted, slowing the game down and confusing FaZe’s rotations.
FaZe grabbed a couple of eco rounds, but that only highlighted a deeper issue: their map pool on Dust II looked shaky compared to Vitality’s structured strategy. The 13‑3 scoreline tied the series 1‑1 and momentum clearly shifted to the French-European squad.
Map 3 – Inferno: Vitality wrest control
Inferno, picked by FaZe, was expected to be another tight brawl. It was closer than Dust II, but the key rounds and clutches still went Vitality’s way, especially thanks to mezii.
Both teams focused heavily on Banana control on their T sides, frequently turning the map into a tug-of-war over utility, space and timing. A-site executes were less common, as a lot of the action centered around early fights for map control and late-round B hits.
Key moments on Inferno
- ropz’s early heroics: Robin “ropz” Kool pulled off multiple multi-kills from Pit, including a crucial hold in Round 4 that kept FaZe in the half.
- mezii’s clutches and positioning:
- ZywOo’s retakes: A standout retake in Round 11 underlined how comfortable he had become in the server again.
- frozen fights back: David “frozen” Černanský was once again a rock for FaZe. His HE grenade in the second pistol softened Vitality enough for him to clean up the round almost single-handedly, and his Banana aggression later in the half saved FaZe from an even worse scoreline.
Still, despite frozen’s heroics, Vitality’s structure held firm. The 13‑9 win on FaZe’s pick put the series at 2‑1 for Vitality and left FaZe needing a miracle on Overpass to stay alive.
Map 4 – Overpass: Vitality close the series
Overpass ended up being the final nail in the coffin for FaZe’s Budapest Major dream. From the first gun rounds onward, Vitality looked completely in control. FaZe were on the verge of going down 12‑0 in the first half, only managing to squeeze out a single round to avoid a brutal scoreline.
Even when FaZe opened the second half by winning pistols again, they immediately lost to Vitality’s eco, which killed any remaining momentum.
Key moments on Overpass
- ropz & ZywOo synergy: ropz and ZywOo showed incredible synergy on this map, especially during plants and post-plants. In one memorable round, ropz perfectly protected ZywOo during a bomb plant, then wiped out the remaining FaZe players.
- ZywOo’s AWP clinic: On Overpass, his AWP felt unstoppable. He controlled long, bathrooms and connector with confidence, shutting down FaZe’s mid-round ideas.
- apEX’s entry fragging: Dan “apEX” Madesclaire unleashed vintage entry fragging form, taking space with fearless pushes and opening key sites.
- The championship kill: Fittingly, apEX closed out the series with the final kill in a 1v1, locking in Vitality’s second CS2 Major of 2025.
After the match, karrigan admitted in interviews that while FaZe could be proud of their run, “they are not ready to beat Vitality yet”. The final made that difference in form and preparation painfully clear.
Team Vitality’s road to the Budapest Major title
Vitality came into the Budapest Major carrying massive expectations. They had already won the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 earlier in the year, and while their form at some other events had dips, they consistently finished deep in tournaments and rarely dropped out of top-four contention.
As an organization, Vitality also hold the honor of winning the last CS:GO Major in Paris 2023. While the lineup has changed since then, the club’s identity as a title contender has only grown stronger in CS2.
Vitality’s Playoffs run in Budapest
- Quarterfinals vs The MongolZ: Vitality dominated this series, showing superior tactical depth and mid-round calling. It was one of their cleanest matches of the event.
- Semifinals vs Team Spirit: This was much sweatier. Map 1 went to three overtimes, but Vitality stayed composed, broke Spirit’s resistance and carried that momentum to close out the series.
By the time they reached the grand final, Vitality looked:
- Tactically well-prepared across the whole map pool
- Individually razor-sharp, especially ZywOo and mezii
- Mentally resilient, even when things started badly on Nuke
mezii summed it up nicely after lifting the trophy, calling this roster “special” and praising not just the players on stage but also the staff behind the scenes. With two CS2 Majors in one year, it’s hard to argue against Vitality being the defining team of 2025.
FaZe Clan’s miracle run and future outlook
For FaZe, 2025 started far from ideal. Compared to their appearances in both Major grand finals of 2024, their results earlier in the year were underwhelming, and many analysts doubted whether this iteration of FaZe could still compete for trophies.
Roster changes also raised questions. After EPL Season 22, FaZe parted ways with long-time legend Håvard “rain” Nygaard, a move that sparked heavy discussions in the community. In his place, FaZe brought in the rookie jcobbb, and they also re-added Twistzz late in 2025, hoping to restore some of their old firepower.
New roster dynamics in FaZe
The current FaZe lineup may not mirror their Antwerp-winning roster, but Budapest showed clear signs of life.
- jcobbb’s redemption arc: Initially met with skepticism, he proved in Budapest that he can hang with tier-one competition, especially with his high-impact Deagle rounds on Nuke.
- Twistzz’s return: Bringing back Twistzz returned an element of confidence and raw aim that FaZe had been missing.
- Frozen’s consistency: frozen continued to be one of the most reliable riflers in CS2, delivering in big moments against MOUZ, NAVI and Vitality.
FaZe’s Playoffs run in Budapest
- Versus MOUZ: A solid, assertive performance where FaZe flexed their big-match experience.
- Versus NAVI: One of the best matches of the tournament. FaZe pulled off a
Even though they fell short in the final, this run does a lot for FaZe’s long-term confidence. It proves that this roster can reach Major grand finals and that they are not far from title-winning form.
karrigan hinted that the team will use this loss as fuel and that they “can show up next year and do better.” Given their performance trajectory in Budapest, it’s likely that FaZe stick with this core heading into the 2026 CS2 season.
CS2 skins, the Budapest Major hype and uuskins.com
Whenever a Major like Budapest ends, fans don’t just talk about tactics and trophies. The conversation quickly shifts to CS2 skins, souvenir packages and how to style your inventory like your favorite pros.
Big-stage events always drive interest in weapon finishes that appeared in the hands of stars like ZywOo, ropz or Twistzz. Whether it’s a clean M4 build, a flashy AK, or an AWP you saw clutching a crucial round, these moments directly influence what players want to use in their own matches.
Where to buy CS2 skins safely
If you want to upgrade your inventory after the Budapest Major, it’s important to use marketplaces that feel safe, transparent and easy to navigate. Sites like cs2 skins platforms allow you to browse a wide range of items by weapon, price, float or pattern, making it simple to find something that fits your budget.
Many players also still refer to skins as CS:GO items out of habit. If you’re moving an old collection forward or looking for deals that match older aesthetics, you can also explore csgo skins listings to compare prices and styles.
Making the most of Major hype for skins
Here are a few tips if the Budapest Major inspired you to refresh your loadout:
- Track pro loadouts: Rewatch key rounds from Vitality vs FaZe and note which AK, M4, AWP and pistol skins you like.
- Decide your budget first: Inventory flexing is fun, but set a comfortable spending limit before you browse a cs2 skins marketplace.
- Think long-term: Instead of chasing every hype spike, pick a few skins that fit your preferred weapons and maps. If you’re an Inferno enjoyer, for example, you might prioritize strong rifle and utility knife skins.
- Compare styles with legacy items: If you’re nostalgic for CS:GO, checking csgo skins can help you match classic looks with updated CS2 visuals.
Just like pros carefully tune their setups for comfort and performance, building an inventory that feels like “yours” can make every ranked grind or Faceit session a bit more satisfying.
What this grand final means for CS2 esports in 2026
The Budapest Major grand final between Vitality and FaZe doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It sets the tone for the 2026 CS2 competitive season and hints at storylines we’ll be following for months.
Vitality’s growing legacy
With Austin and Budapest under their belt, Vitality are now the benchmark team that others will prep specifically to beat. Questions going into 2026 include:
- Can they maintain this level across another full year?
- Will teams figure out consistent counters to their map pool?
- Can anyone challenge ZywOo’s dominance in Major playoffs?
Unless something unexpected happens, any event they attend next year will list them as a top contender by default.
FaZe’s second chance window
For FaZe, this grand final proves the project is alive. With jcobbb developing, Twistzz re-integrated and frozen in form, they have a strong foundation.
The key for 2026 will be:
- Expanding and stabilizing their map pool so that maps like Dust II don’t become liabilities.
- Sharpening mid-round decision making against structured teams like Vitality.
- Translating their big-comeback energy (like versus NAVI) into more consistent early-round dominance.
Next Major and the 2026 calendar
The CS2 circuit quickly shifts back into gear at the end of January, with premier events returning and IEM Cologne 2026 set as the next Major on the calendar. Given how strong Vitality and FaZe looked in Budapest, it’s very likely both teams will be in the conversation for another deep run.
Roster-wise, the results in Budapest suggest we shouldn’t expect immediate, drastic changes in either camp. But as always in Counter-Strike, nothing is guaranteed. A few bad events or a tempting transfer opportunity can change a team’s direction overnight.
For now, though, the Budapest Major 2025 grand final leaves us with a clear picture:
- Team Vitality sit on top of the CS2 world with back-to-back Major wins.
- FaZe Clan have rediscovered their identity and can still challenge for the biggest trophies.
- The CS2 era is fully underway, with new stars, new maps, evolving metas – and inventories filled with cs2 skins inspired by moments like these.
Whether you’re grinding ranked, tweaking your csgo skins and CS2 collection, or just following the pro scene, the Budapest Major grand final gave everyone a reminder of why Counter-Strike remains one of the most compelling esports in the world.
