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EMEA juggernauts Fnatic and Team Heretics both made it through to the VALORANT Champions Paris Playoffs after topping Group B and D, respectively.
The other two teams representing the region, GIANTX and Team Liquid, still have a chance to make it through to the knockout stages, too.
Team Heretics’ RieNs is hyped at Champions Paris. Image Credit: Riot Games
Let’s take a look at how Fnatic (#3 EMEA seed) and Team Heretics (#4 EMEA seed) progressed.
Team Heretics Cruises Through the “Group of Death”
Before Champions Paris kicked off, we dubbed Group D the “Group of Death.” With G2 Esports, Dragon Ranger Gaming, T1, and Team Heretics competing for just two spots in the playoffs stage, we observed that Team Heretics is significantly stronger than the #4 seed label suggests.
Despite being the lowest seed from EMEA at Champions Paris and #18 on the VCT Global Power Rankings, Team Herectics not-so-surprisingly smashed the competition in Group D.
In the opening match, Team Heretics beat the favorites and #1 Americas seed, G2 Esports, with a convincing 2-0 (13-10 on Corrode, 13-10 on Lotus) to secure a spot in the Winners match of Group D.
In the other opening match, T1 defeated Dragon Ranger Gaming 2-0 (15-13 on Lotus, 16-14 on Sunset), with both maps going into overtime.
In the Winners match of Group D, it was Team Heretics who took an early lead on their map pick of Lotus, and held onto it despite comeback efforts from T1 for a 13-10 win. On T1’s map pick, Sunset, teams were dead even in the first half, but Team Heretics pulled ahead slightly on the attacker side to close out the map 13-11, and the series 2-0.
With the win, Team Heretics tops Group D and advances to the playoffs stage with a flawless record. The Group of Death continues, with G2 Esports set to face Dragon Ranger Gaming in the Elimination match on Sept. 20. T1 awaits the victor in the Decider match on Sept. 22.
Fnatic Reverse-Sweep MIBR to Top Group B
At the start of VALORANT Champions Paris Group B, Fnatic wasted no time making its presence felt, beating Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ), the #2 seed from Pacific, with a solid 2-0 (13-10 on Ascent, 13-7 on Abyss).
A reverse-sweep comeback was needed to shut down MIBR. Image Credit: Riot Games
In the other opening matchup, it was Brazilian side MIBR, the #4 seed from Americas and the lowest-ranked team (#27 on the GPR) heading into the event, who dispatched the top seed from China, Bilibili Gaming, in a 2-0 (13-2 on Haven, 13-9 on Corrode) show of force.
Going into the Winners match, MIBR shocked Fnatic on Bind with a decisive 13-5 win. On MIBR’s map pick, Abyss, the Brazilian side pulled slightly ahead in the first half with a 7-5 score. However, Fnatic dug deep in the second half, bouncing back to win eight in a row, closing out the map with a 13-7 win.
On the third and deciding map, Haven, Fnatic found an early 8-4 lead. Despite MIBR’s comeback attempts in the second half, Fnatic stayed strong to finish off the map 13-10 and complete the reverse-sweep.
With the table-topping performance, Fnatic’s streak continues, as it is the only team to make every VALORANT Champions playoffs.
he group stage will finish on Sept. 22. Image Credit: Riot Games
In Group B, Bilibili Gaming will face RRQ in the Elimination match on Sept. 20. The winner will fight MIBR in the Decider match on Sept. 22 for the final spot in the later stages.
In case you’ve missed it, Paper Rex topped Group A, with NRG coming out on top of Group C.
