Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut is proving once again why he stands out among Counter-Strike 2 players. During the Overpass map at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, this Team Vitality star showcased an exceptional performance, culminating in a 2-1 series victory against FUT Esports.
What made ZywOo's performance on Overpass remarkable? He achieved an impressive average damage rating of 114, indicating that he consistently dealt more damage per round than many players typically do, even on their best days. Additionally, he secured two aces during the match, one of which was particularly notable as it occurred in a challenging 3v5 situation. In this instance, ZywOo single-handedly eliminated all remaining opponents despite his team being down by two players.
The series, however, was not entirely straightforward for Team Vitality. FUT Esports won the first map, Anubis, putting Vitality at a disadvantage. Yet, ZywOo and his teammates rallied effectively to win the subsequent two maps, ultimately concluding the series with a score of 2-1.
The match took place from June 11 to June 13, 2026, as part of the larger tournament spanning from June 2 to June 21 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany.
What is happening with crypto in esports? Notably, the IEM Cologne Major 2026 has seen significantly fewer crypto-related sponsorships than previous years. There have been no direct references to cryptocurrency, tokens, or blockchain technologies during coverage of the matches. This contrasts sharply with major esports events in 2021 and 2022, during which crypto companies prominently displayed their logos on team jerseys and advertisements for crypto betting platforms appeared between rounds.
The reduction in crypto visibility suggests a shift in the esports sponsorship landscape, prompting reflections on future trends and potential implications for the industry.