(Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games)
London-headquartered esports organisation Fnatic have won Stage 2 of the Valorant VCT EMEA 2024 after a dominant display in the playoffs.
This earnt them back-to-back wins after Fnatic were crowned VCT EMEA Stage 1 champions back in May.
They finished third in the group stage, with seven wins, behind Team Heretics and FUT Esports (who had eight wins each).
In the playoffs, Fnatic pulled off a solid run, beating Karmine Corp 2-1, FUT 2-0 and Vitality 2-0 to reach the grand final.
With Vitality beating Heretics 3-1 in the lower bracket final, a rematch between Fnatic and Vitality was set up.
Fnatic battled hard, beating Vitality 13-8 on Haven, losing 13-9 on Ascent and winning 13-9 on Lotus. The fourth and final game of the series was a lot smoother for Fnatic, as they won 13-3 on Bind.
Fnatic’s winning Valorant team consist of Boaster (UK), Derke (Finland), Alfajer (Turkey), Chronicle (Russia) and hiro (Netherlands), who joined in June, with Leo currently on the inactive roster to focus on his health. Hiro previously played with Irish org Wylde, and also Sup.
Chronicle said: “We’re always 100% focused. Boaster said at the start of this year we’d win three trophies, we’ve won Stage 1 and 2 – now Champs are coming.”
Boaster added [when asked by host Yinsu Collins what he would say to the Boaster at the start of the year]: “I would’ve told myself not to say we’re going to win three trophies! When you know how to win and what makes a good team, put more emphasis on the team dynamics and making sure everyone else thrives, instead of pushing what I want. We’ve got to keep it lighthearted and fun, while keeping it a bit serious, but I think I was too serious.
“Hiro did a really good job, he had really big shoes to fill – Leo’s, probably size 11 – and I’d say he did a really good job. He’s just gotta maintain the humbleness and grind, and not get an ego cos he’s won a trophy, and that’s how we can go to Champs and he can keep rising to the top.”
Derke said Fnatic needed to find their form again and that Kickoff was a good reality check for them, while Alfajer said Fnatic’s head coach Elmapuddy is the best in the world.
Hiro said:
“If you told me [before I played in VCT] that I’d be playing in VCT and I’d win it, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s really good to play with Fnatic, everyone is really supportive and guiding me. They have super insane experience, so I trust that.”
hiro, Fnatic
The news comes after Fnatic recently qualified for Valorant Champions 2024, the pinnacle of Valorant esports. They will be joined by fellow EMEA teams Vitality, Heretics and FUT at the LAN in South Korea in August 2024, as well as the top teams from other regions around the world.
Fnatic’s VCT EMEA 2024 Stage 2 victory also comes a few weeks after UK performance coach Edgar Chekera, aka Psych-Chek, re-joined the organisation after an 18-month stint from late 2018 to mid 2020.
This year he’s been supporting the team since the start of Stage 2.
Edgar said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity working with Fnatic and these guys, they’re so exceptional in a lot of ways. There are big shoes to fill, but coming in and helping them remember their strengths, maintain what’s been working well before, getting them to talk to each other and utilising strengths has been what I’ve cared about. I’m grateful to work with them and to see them lift this trophy, and looking forward to [Valorant Champions] in Seoul.”
UK assistant coach mini also said: “GGs Vitality, another great day from Chronicle on his old role, and nice to get what we should’ve taken last year. Champs time.”
Australian head coach Elmapuddy commented: “EMEA champions! Incredibly proud of how the boys pushed this entire split – and we’re in good form for Champs. We’re playing well and peaking at the right time. You have to give the players room to express themselves and grow. If you have fun, you’re gonna play better.”
American strategic coach Anderzz added: “I suppose it was about time I added EMEA champion to my resume. A great 3-1 showing from the boys to continue our ramp up to Champs form. The big one is still to come.”
Valorant team director CoJo also said:
In other news, Fnatic are currently competing in the LEC Summer 2024 Playoffs. They just beat G2 this evening to reach the grand final.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
