Twisted Minds conquer Rebirth Island to win EWC Warzone title

Twisted Minds have pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of the Esports World Cup so far, conquering Rebirth Island to win the Call of Duty: Warzone title in Riyadh. The hometown heroes toppled a field stacked with international powerhouses to claim the $250,000 top prize and 1,000 Club Championship points in their first-ever EWC victory.

Heading into the finals, few expected Twisted Minds to be the ones lifting the trophy. All eyes were on Team Falcons—last year’s champions—and Virtus.pro, both of whom had dominated the early rounds. But as any battle royale veteran knows, momentum can swing in a heartbeat.

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  The bookies' bookie

Over 10 tense matches on the final day, Twisted Minds kept themselves in contention, scoring a string of high-kill performances and staying alive deep into each round. Their breakthrough came when they racked up 24 kills in the last match, clinching a first-place finish that pushed them over the match-point threshold and sealed the title.

The win was especially sweet for Aydan “Aydan” Conrad and Riley “zSmit” Smith, who reunited after last year’s campaign, with newcomer Benjamin “Almond” Rosendahl adding the final spark needed to get over the line.

zSmit’s lethal form across all 10 matches earned him the SONY MVP award and an additional $10,000 in prize money. His aggressive playstyle and clutch late-game moments were key to Twisted Minds’ surge up the standings, cementing him as one of Warzone’s most feared competitors.

What’s next at EWC 2025?

With the Rebirth Island battle settled, the Esports World Cup now turns to the legendary FPS rivalry of Counter-Strike 2. The top CS2 teams from around the globe are ready to test their aim, tactics, and nerve in a tournament where every round can swing the outcome. Riyadh is set for a week of heart-stopping clutches, eco-round miracles, and championship-defining plays.