Fnatic and FunPlus Phoenix Secure First Reykjavík Spots
The VCT EMEA Challengers are kicking into high gear as the first two teams make their way into the upper bracket Final.
Fnatic and FunPlus Phoenix have both fought their way through the group stage, each securing the first spot in their respective groups. During the upper bracket round 2, Fnatic and FunPlus Phoenix faced their first challengers and emerged victorious.
Fnatic fought the Russian machine, M3 Champions, and squeezed a hard-earned victory through an extended overtime on Split. It was an incredibly close match, but Fnatic managed to prevail in the end and finish with 2 – 1. FunPlus Phoenix had an easier time with Team Liquid and took a quick 2 – 0 victory.
Fnatic and FunPlus Phoenix already qualified for the first VCT Masters event in Reykjavík, but there’s still plenty of Valorant action left to go in the VCT EMEA Challengers 1. Both teams are warming up for their next match and that final stretch towards the Grand Finals and the €40,000 prize that awaits at the end.
The Return of Fnatic
We guess it’s safe to say that Fnatic is back. The boys from London are once again wreaking havoc in the Valorant Champions Tour.
Back in 2021, they were one of the top teams from Europe and had a pretty good start at the beginning of the season. They peaked sometime around VCT Stage 2, right before the Stage 2 Masters in Reykjavík. They won the VCT 2021: Europe Stage 2 Challengers 2 and finished second during the VCT 2021: EMEA Stage 2 Challengers Finals event that followed.
It all culminated in an epic Grand Final in Reykjavík where they faced Sentinels who were the kings of Valorant esports at the time. Fnatic lost 3 – 0 and let the trophy slip out of their hands.
Since then, they’ve been competing actively but the results simply weren’t the same. By the time Stage 3 came, there were plenty of new teams that occupied the spotlight and Fnatic was gradually left behind.
Fnatics dominant performance in VCT EMEA Challengers 1 is a clear sign they’re back and they’re here to stay. They cleaned group B almost effortlessly and even managed to beat M3 Champions, who were the main favourites for this event. The Valorant betting odds are stacked in their favour right now.
The #VCTEMEA playoff bracket after day 3. pic.twitter.com/JlbhJAnPCK
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) March 24, 2022
FunPlus Phoenix Looking Strong
Just like Fnatic, FunPlus Phoenix is looking in great shape in the VCT 2022 season. They also dominated group A and finished with a 4 – 1 score. The only stain on their group stage record is the surprising loss to LDN UTD where FunPlus dropped the ball and lost 2 – 1.
Fnatic will definitely be their biggest test in this tournament. If they can overcome this challenge, they’ll go straight into the Grand Finals and avoid the dreaded Loser’s Bracket final where G2 Esports and Team Liquid await.
Make sure not to miss the match between Fnatic and FunPlus Phoenix. You’ll be able to catch the match live on the official Valorant Twitch stream on March 25th at 16:00 CET