
apEX Defends Vitality Coach XTQZZZ After HLTV Award Win
Team Vitality's captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire has come to the defense of his head coach, Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam, following online criticism of XTQZZZ’s HLTV Coach of the Year award. In a recent interview, apEX highlighted the invaluable behind-the-scenes contributions of his coach that fuel Vitality's dominance in Counter-Strike 2 esports.
apEX Addresses Criticism
After the prestigious HLTV Awards, some fans and analysts questioned the impact of XTQZZZ on Vitality’s success. apEX was quick to counter these claims, stating that effective coaching extends far beyond visible actions during timeouts or matches.
"Obviously, it’s not because you don’t hype your coach publicly that he isn’t good," apEX said. He emphasized that XTQZZZ’s real strengths lie in strategic preparation, building team structure, and managing the players’ mental states—critical elements for success in the relentless CS2 tournaments calendar.
XTQZZZ’s Winning Formula
XTQZZZ was awarded HLTV Coach of the Year for his role in orchestrating one of the most successful seasons in Counter-Strike history. Under his leadership, Team Vitality achieved:
- HLTV Team of the Year
- Two Major championships
- Playoff appearances in every event attended
- Multiple Tier-1 tournament trophies
apEX credited this remarkable consistency to the strong coaching infrastructure provided by XTQZZZ, stating that sustained success in Counter-Strike 2 would be impossible without meticulous preparation and recovery between high-stakes CS2 matches.
Vitality’s Dominance at the HLTV Awards
The HLTV Awards weren’t just a win for XTQZZZ. Vitality’s roster swept multiple categories, underscoring their dominance in the CS2 esports scene:
- apEX: HLTV IGL of the Year
- ZywOo: Player of the Year, AWPer of the Year, and multiple MVPs
- ropz: Closer of the Year
- mezii: Anchor of the Year
This clean sweep highlighted the synergy between the players and the leadership, including XTQZZZ’s crucial role in building a championship-winning system.
Unseen Contributions of Modern CS2 Coaches
apEX took the opportunity to shine a light on the often-overlooked responsibilities of modern CS2 coaches. According to him, XTQZZZ’s duties go far beyond what fans see on-screen:
- Developing anti-strat strategies for opponents
- Managing team morale during intense tournament runs
- Maintaining focus and motivation after repeated victories
- Facilitating communication between players and analysts
“These are the things that don’t show up in a demo, but they’re what win championships,” apEX explained.
Vitality’s Future in Counter-Strike 2
Despite their historic 2025 season, apEX emphasized that Vitality is far from complacent. The team is already preparing for upcoming CS2 tournaments with a focus on staying sharp and avoiding distractions from their legacy discussions.
With XTQZZZ continuing to lead the coaching staff and a roster full of award-winning players, Vitality enters the 2026 CS2 season as the undisputed team to beat. Fans and bettors on platforms like CS2bet.io will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Vitality’s performance as they aim to defend their throne.
Conclusion
XTQZZZ’s HLTV Coach of the Year win is a testament to the importance of coaching in Counter-Strike 2. As apEX and Team Vitality gear up for another season, their success story will continue to inspire conversations in the CS2 esports community. For those exploring CS2 betting, Vitality remains a top contender worth analyzing in upcoming CS2 matches and tournaments.



