VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs Preview – The Final 8
Published: May 30, 2024 - Last Updated: Jun 24, 2024
After a thrilling opening round, only 8 teams are left in the VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs. In this preview, we’re diving into the storylines, predictions and esports odds!
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VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs – Format
Of the eight teams at this stage, four teams have fought through the Swiss Stage while four earned a direct seed.
Here’s a reminder of how teams have been seeded with an influence on esports odds:
- Americas Stage 1 Champions – 100 Thieves
- China Stage 1 Champions – EDward Gaming
- EMEA Stage 1 Champions – Fnatic
- Pacific Stage 1 Champions – Paper Rex
- Swiss Stage – G2 Esports, Gen.G Esports, FUT Esports, Team Heretics
With the Regional Champions seeded in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals of this double elimination bracket, they got to choose their opponents.
Here’s a look at the schedule for the opening matches of the VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs:
- 30/05 – 100 Thieves vs FUT Esports – 10:00 CET
- 30/05 – Fnatic vs Gen.G – 13:00 CET
- 31/05 – Paper Rex vs G2 Esports – 10:00 CET
- 31/05 – EDward Gaming vs Team Heretics – 13:00 CET
In this preview, we’re looking at all the teams and offering our two cents as to which team is most likely to walk away as champions.
Here’s a look at some of the VALORANT betting notions to consider.
Home Team Heroes – EDward Gaming
As the last Chinese team standing, EDward Gaming is the last regional representative competing in Shanghai.
Even without the electricity from the crowd, EDward Gaming is a solid team with some immense firepower making up for a shallow strat book.
While they wouldn’t ordinarily be favoured, we can’t wait to see how they perform with the entire crowd on their side. Such an effect was tangible for FunPlus Phoenix, who managed to go toe-to-toe with Heretics to a triple overtime.
Keep an eye out for their star fragger Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang. This firey youngster could easily bring the house down.
Eternal Favourites – Paper Rex
Time and time again, Paper Rex seeds into international VALORANT tournaments as the leading seed from the Pacific region.
Finishing in the top 3 of almost every VALORANT tournament they attend, this team seems to be on the rise. Specifically, after placing third at VCT 2024 Masters Madrid, the return of Wang “Jinggg” Jie to the roster has boosted the team.
After crushing VCT Pacific Stage 1, this could be the best opportunity for a Pacific roster to win its first-ever VALORANT Masters event.
The Return of Fnatic?
Fnatic were in deep trouble earlier this season.
The team looked flat, they were unpracticed and worst of all, the former World Champions seemed unmotivated.
After missing out at VCT Masters Madrid, they had the perfect opportunity to catch up and re-establish their dominance.
Thanks to some outstanding performances from Leo “Leo” Jannesson and Emir “Alfajer” Beder, this team is in a position where they can return to their spot on top if things go their way.
100 Thieves – NA’s New Hope
Year upon year of disappointment, 100 Thieves have finally caught a break and look like one of the best VALORANT teams.
After signing Keldren “Boostio” Pupello from the broken Evil Geniuses roster, this world-class in-game leader has helped transform the team completely.
Sporting a lethal roster, their teamwork and their strategy book look to impress – for example, this is the number one team on Bind.
Considering teams will ban this map against them, it’s scary to consider that their other maps are just as strong.
Gen.G – The Local Villains?
As the scariest team from the Swiss Stage, all of the first seeds did their best to avoid Gen.G.
Sure, they may be the second seed from the Pacific, but this is only after losing a hard-fought grand final 3-2 to Paper Rex.
Moreover, in finishing second at VCT Masters Madrid, they’ve proved that they’re almost impossible to put down.
Thanks to their incredible teamwork, and massive firepower in their duelist “t3xture” and their controller “Karon” these are some of the best VALORANT players.
Underdogs – FUT, Heretics, G2 Esports
And then there were three. All three of these teams deserve to be here, but compared to the other competitors they’re less favoured.
Here’s a quick summary:
- FUT Esports – a bunch of deadly Turkish aimers, FUT Esports is only let down by their quirky compositions which simply don’t make sense sometimes. While they won their last Swiss Stage match, they got 13-1’ed on Sunset.
- Team Heretics – handed an easy opening match against Dragon Ranger Gaming, Heretics is still playing with their substitute player. Their win over FunPlus was fantastic, but their story might end there.
- G2 Esports – perhaps packing the least firepower from the final teams, making it to the Playoffs was definitely a surprise for G2 Esports. Moreover, they have a super tough opening match against Paper Rex.
In conclusion, the general favourites are Paper Rex and 100 Thieves, though anyone could take it.
