After Vitality's victory over B8 at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3, we interviewed Vitality player William “mezii” Merriman. In our conversation with Bo3.gg, we discussed their feelings after the victory, their preparation for matches, and the past Major.

Congratulations on your second victory at the Major. How are you feeling, and what does this win mean to you personally as a player?

It’s always good to get strong wins like this. After the first game against FaZe, which wasn’t our best showing, it was important to rebuild confidence. Against 3DMAX and now B8, I wouldn’t say they played their best, but we had good preparation for both teams. Going 2–1 now is a confidence boost — for the team and for me personally. And getting into best-of-threes is much more comfortable. It always feels better to get out of the BO1s.

NPL told us before the match that you would “destroy B8”. Did you have special preparation for them, or was it mostly your defaults?

We always prepare ideas for every team. Even against B8 we knew how they liked to play. But honestly, the main thing was that they didn’t change much. They gave us a lot of space — especially on Banana — and that made it easier to take control and play our game.

After the first few rounds, it was mostly our default. Early on we were just aware of their tendencies and tried to exploit them. Overall, we felt comfortable on their Inferno. When a team gives so much space on Banana, it becomes easier to call and decide what we want to do.

What was B8’s biggest weakness on Inferno, and what was your strongest point today?

Banana, for sure. It’s always been one of our strongest areas — the way we like to fight there is a crucial part of the map. For B8, it seemed to be their weaker area — not necessarily the players, but their overall approach. They didn’t put in much resistance, which made it easier for us.

When we want to fight and the opponent avoids it, it gives us a much easier plan.

After losing to FaZe, the atmosphere must have been heavy. What helped you reset and come back stronger today?

At the Major, especially on day one with two BO1s, you don’t have much time to be upset. We knew we didn’t play our best against FaZe. Same thing happened in Austin — first game we were smashed, and then we bounced back.

It was important to reset quickly, because going 0–2 on the first day is extremely hard to recover from. The win against 3DMAX helped rebuild confidence and settle into the tournament.

Today we did what we needed, now we’re 2–1 and heading into best-of-threes — our strongest format.

Was there a moment yesterday or today when you felt: “Yes, we’re back in our comfort zone”?

We’re always confident, but of course we want to show this level against top teams as well. 3DMAX and B8 are strong teams — they’re here for a reason, and B8 even beat Falcons — but now it’s important to show the same standard versus teams like FURIA, Falcons, MOUZ, Vitality, all of them.

It’s good to build confidence, but the real test begins in the BO3s.

Is there a team you'd like to face or beat — maybe in playoffs or in the final?

FURIA. We definitely want revenge — they’ve beaten us a few times recently. It would be a great final. But it’s always one game at a time. The goal is to win the Major and go back-to-back.

Did apEX give any special pre-game talk today, or was it the usual pep talk?

It was the usual. apEX does a great job as a captain — keeping us focused, bringing energy, keeping communication sharp. We just need to listen and bring the same intensity. At Majors everything is a bit more tense, especially with BO1s, but apEX is consistently the best captain in esports.

How would you rate your own performance on Inferno today compared to the past weeks?

It was okay. I’m playing with ZywOo on Banana, so I usually just let him do all the work — let him kill everyone. My job is to bring ideas, help build good plans, and I think I did that today.

Nothing crazy individually, nothing bad — just solid. The individual form will come afterward.

Last question: how does the pressure of being reigning Major champions feel? Motivation or extra pressure?

It adds motivation more than pressure. This second part of the year hasn’t been as strong as the first, so we’re not coming into the Major as the favorites. The pressure is more on teams like FURIA.

For us, motivation is the main thing — we want to go back-to-back. There’s always pressure at a Major, but not extra pressure because of the title. Just the usual desire to win.