flameZ: Vitality Aims to Regain Form, Target Stage 3 Major

Vitality advanced to the upper‑bracket semi‑final at StarLadder StarSeries Fall after a win over magic and will face the winner of FURIA vs. MIBR next. Rifler Shahar ‘flameZ’ Shushan spoke to media after the match about the team’s short‑term goals.

Justin ‘jL’ Gonzalez is standing in while William ‘mezii’ Vences and captain Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire have limited practice time for family reasons. Mezii stepped away after the Porto event for the birth of a child, and apEX is expected to be unavailable around PGL. The changes have affected Vitality’s preparation and in‑game roles.

flameZ said the team has focused practice on basic tasks such as trades and fundamentals instead of detailed playbook work. ‘You’ve got to get used to a new voice calling and get used to a new player in the server in a different position,’ he told reporters, noting that jL can play multiple roles but brings a different on‑server dynamic.

He described jL as an ‘energy bubble’ who lifts team morale and brings aggressive movement and playmaking. flameZ added that Vitality must adapt to those tendencies while jL adjusts to the team’s structure.

The short‑term objective is to recover the squad’s best level ahead of Major qualification. ‘The circumstances are tough, and if we get wins, if we get to the Major in Stage 3, we know we’re going to come to the Major very prepped,’ flameZ said, adding that playing well is the main priority rather than focusing solely on trophies.

Recent losses have felt worse when Vitality did not play at their usual standard, he noted. With limited practice windows and rotating personnel, the team has emphasized alignment on simple, repeatable actions and discipline in small moments. Vitality had two days of practice with jL at events that included a media day and the EWC to Copenhagen and plans to use remaining tournaments this season to rebuild cohesion.

StarLadder StarSeries Fall is a studio event with eight teams. flameZ said the squad prefers live stages with crowds but acknowledged the event provides VRS points and match practice. Their last StarLadder appearance was at the Major.

On the roster’s track record, flameZ pointed to Vitality’s return to form in 2025 when the team won the Major after a difficult start and followed with several trophies. He said the core five remain confident in the lineup and that a Major qualification in Stage 3 is the primary measurable objective for the coming months.

Vitality’s upper‑bracket semi‑final will test how quickly the temporary lineup changes can be absorbed under match pressure, and the team has framed Stage 3 Major qualification as the season’s main target.

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