After falling 3-2 to Vitality in their last two grand finals, Falcons once again faced their demons in the climax of ESL Pro League S22.

This time, though, they had another superstar in the lineup. Surely, things would go differently, right? Well, yes… but not quite the way they hoped.

The series opened on Inferno, a map that hasn’t historically favored Falcons. Despite Falcons’ strong start, it was flameZ who stole the spotlight with an absurd CT-side performance, dragging Vitality back and leveling the score at halftime.

He carried the momentum into the second half, pushing Vitality to an 11-7 lead. But then they started doing something “very bad”, allowing Falcons to claw their way back to 11-10 on the back of some sharp holds from m0NESY. That wasn’t enough, though, and Vitality closed it out 13-10.

No overtime on Inferno this time. Shoutout to the best CS podcast out there.

Train couldn’t have started better for ropz - he aimed for one guy and killed another in a pistol that gave Vitality an early boost. kyousuke tried to wake up from his slumber, but Falcons couldn’t handle flameZ’s aggression, ending the half 8-4 in Vitality’s favor.

The birds of prey showed flashes of resistance in the second half - hinting at a comeback - but flameZ was simply unstoppable, tearing through them and sealing Train 13-9 for Vitality.

On Dust 2, mezii stepped up big time on the T-side, finishing with a 16-4 KD and headlining multiple impact rounds. Vitality steamrolled the first half 10-2, with apEX reading Falcons like a book and making sure they knew it.

The second half started promisingly for NiKo, but the scenario he dreads most struck again: an enemy with his back turned. The rest is history. NiKo whiffed, opening the door for Vitality’s retake. From there, it was over. Vitality closed the map 13-5 and lifted the trophy.

So, what the f-ck happened?

We knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for Falcons, but we were expecting… something. Instead, we got nothing.

But don’t worry, non-bought fans. zonic is very close to completing his vision. He just needs one more superstar.