A story of redemption is brewing and will reach fever pitch when the OVO Arena Wembley opens its doors from September 5th to 7th for the BLAST Open London Finals. British legend William “mezii” Merriman and the rest of the Team Vitality squad will take to the stage, and the goal is clear: bring it home.
Since joining Team Vitality in November 2023, mezii has won nine significant trophies, the Grand Slam Season 5 prize, and even became the first-ever British Counter-Strike player to win a Major Championship, lifting the BLAST.tv Austin Major trophy in June 2025.
mezii right in the middle of a Team Vitality huddle. Image Credit: Stephanie Lindgren/BLAST.tv
While things are looking positive for Team Vitality as the favorite going into the Playoffs Stage, the path to redemption could still prove a treacherous journey.
A path to redemption at BLAST Open London Finals
The last time Team Vitality competed in London, its journey ended in heartbreak, as Dan “apEX” Madesclaire’s merry men had to settle for a 3rd/4th place finish. After some close calls in the Group Stage, Team Vitality couldn’t navigate the single-elimination bracket at the BLAST Premier Spring Final 2024, and ultimately lost to a 2-1 reverse-sweep at the hands of Team Spirit.
Over a year later, Team Vitality now has another chance to lift a trophy at the OVO Arena Wembley in London. It’s an extra special one for mezii, as one of the few British players to ever compete at the S-Tier tournament level.
By topping Group A of BLAST Open London, Team Vitality has earned a Semifinal spot. It is just one best-of-three match away from the Grand Final, and this time around, there’s no threat from Team Spirit, who fell in the Group Stage at the hands of G2 Esports. Underdogs M80 stunned NAVI (the Spring Final 2024 winners), causing a huge upset.
If Team Vitality beats the winner of M80 and MOUZ, which many suspect will turn out to be MOUZ, it’ll be in the Grand Final, with the crowd on its side. While Team Vitality looked strong during the Group Stage, MOUZ faltered, losing 2-0 to FURIA.
Suppose the MOUZ vs. Team Vitality Semifinal match does happen. In that case, Team Vitality will also have a shot at revenge, as it was MOUZ who broke its tournament win streak by eliminating them in the Semifinal of IEM Cologne 2025.
Check out the BLAST Open London’s Playoffs bracket and matches below.
The playoff bracket is set. Image Credit: BLAST.tv
Team Vitality will face the winner of MOUZ and M80 on September 6th at 15:00 BST. We do suggest fans watch all five remaining matches, since they will likely all prove to be bangers.
There’s the underdog story with M80 making it to their first LAN final of an S-Tier event, FaZe Clan and G2 Esports both fighting for survival, the Brazilian team FURIA just one match away from a Grand Final, and, of course, the hometown hero mezii, also known as “King Mezii,” looking for his crown.