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9z Team pulls off upset victory over Team Vitality at IEM Stage 3
The Argentine esports squad reversed a prior loss to the French powerhouse with a 2-1 series win in Counter-Strike 2
Argentine esports organization 9z Team defeated Team Vitality 2-1 in a best-of-three series at Intel Extreme Masters Stage 3 on June 12, 2026. The result marks a meaningful upset against one of the most stacked rosters in competitive Counter-Strike 2.
Vitality’s lineup includes some of the game’s biggest names: apEX, flameZ, mezii, ropz, and ZywOo.
Revenge arc complete
The win carries extra weight given recent history. Back in March 2026, Vitality swept 9z with a clean 2-0 at the BLAST Premier Open Rotterdam.
It’s not the first time 9z has played giant-killer against Vitality either. At IEM Dallas 2024, the South American squad pulled off a 2-0 upset against the same organization.
Who is 9z Team
For those unfamiliar, 9z Team was founded on August 8, 2018, by Francisco Postiglione, better known in esports circles as Frankkaster. The organization has grown into one of South America’s most prominent competitive gaming brands.
Their total tournament earnings exceed $1.8 million. Globant, the Luxembourg-headquartered technology company, sponsors the team.
What comes next
9z Team is reportedly preparing for IEM Cologne 2026, one of the most prestigious events on the Counter-Strike calendar.