IEM Kraków Champion Vitality apEX: “It’s the 12th final with this lineup, so you get used to it”

CS2 Writer

Publish Date: February 9, 2026

After an exciting playoff bracket in the Tauron Arena, IEM Kraków 2026 has concluded, with Vitality retaining their title from last year’s IEM Katowice. The Bees bested FURIA 3:1 in a hard-fought affair.

Following his Grand Final victory, we got to speak with one of the best CS2 IGLs, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, to get his thoughts on his team’s incredible achievement.

Bruno: Congrats, apEX, on the win.

apEX: Thank you.

How does this win compare to last year’s Katowice?

apEX: It’s a lot of different emotions. I feel like we get used to it now, we get used to playing those big events, grand finals. We feel like we are experienced enough, etc.

It’s just like, it’s the 12th final with this lineup, so you get used to it now.

It’s a lot different. Last year was a lot of emotions for me, the first Katowice in my career after a lot of struggle. So yeah, it’s a lot different today.

How does ZywOo do it? What’s his secret?

apEX: I don’t know. I actually think that he had a good 2025, but I don’t think he was unbelievable, to be honest, even though he ended best player in the world. I think that’s maybe the first time in his history that he has the best player in the world, thanks to the team he has. And today, he showed that he deserved it, and he played so amazingly.

I think the best event he ever played with me ever. So I’m proud of him. He played a great contest today.

What was different today on Mirage versus the other maps?

apEX: I think we thought it was a win already. I think we had a big lead, and we thought it was over, and we just didn’t play well. That’s it, I think.

Do you enjoy playing FURIA? Are they a fun opponent for you guys?

Vitality win back-to-back in Poland. Credit: © Vitality

apEX: No, I think they’re a tough opponent, to be honest. I think they had, when I saw just before the final, they played 16 maps in this event, we played eight. So that’s a big difference between them both, as they lost in the upper bracket. So, yeah, they had to go through everything. I think they’re a bit more tired, but no, they are a strong team. They played great Counter-Strike. That’s for sure.

Are you eyeing up the Grand Slam in Rio now?

apEX: Well, yeah. I mean, whenever we can, as soon as possible, as we don’t go to EPL, it’s going to be another event. But now we will try to get the second one for sure. It’s the idea of the team. It’s never happened for any team in Counter-Strike yet. So let’s see if it can happen for us.

Bruno: All right, thanks, and good luck in the upcoming CS2 events.

apEX: Thank you.