London-based team Fnatic have successfully qualified for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Masters Toronto after defeating Team Liquid in the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Playoffs.
Fnatic defeated Team Liquid in a 2-0 series
The series saw the two sides fight until the bitter end, as the match was pushed to overtime on the final map.
Each team’s momentum was in constant flux throughout the match. Fnatic took map 1 on Split with 13 rounds to Team Liquid’s 10.
However, Team Liquid featuring British player Georgio ‘keiko’ Sanassy wouldn’t go quietly and hit back by taking map 2 on Icebox with a 13-11 score.
It all came down to the final map on Fracture, which Fnatic have historically had mixed results on this year.
This appeared to be a bad omen for Fnatic, as they finished the full 24 rounds dead even with Team Liquid. Thus, both sides forced overtime when it mattered most.
The intensity saw Fnatic’s IGL, Jake ‘Boaster’ Howlett, constantly jump to his feet after each of the last few rounds, with Emir ‘Alfajer’ Beder finally ending the series by winning a 2v1 clutch.
Boaster’s euphoria
With this victory, Fnatic secures one of the final places at VCT Masters Toronto, where they’ll face stiff competition on the international stage.
Taking to social media, Boaster shared his excitement with fans and even hinted at preparing new walkouts to enjoy.
In an interview with Esports News UK earlier that week, the Fnatic star teased routines from Ateez, BINI, Katseye, and Twice. On top of a yet unrevealed solo walkout that might debut at Toronto or later this year in Paris.
British stars aim for success in VCT EMEA Playoffs
Fnatic will face Team Heretics in the playoffs for a place in the Grand Final of VCT EMEA Stage 1 and determine seeding for VCT Masters Toronto.
Their opponents feature the British star, Benjy ‘benjyfishy’ Fish, who will be looking for redemption on the international stage after falling short to Edward Gaming in the finals of VCT Champions 2024.
In the lower bracket, Team Liquid’s keiko will be on a path of revenge as they look to rematch Fnatic in the Grand Final or sooner in the Lower Bracket Final.
Attempted break-in at Fnatic CEO’s house during the match
While Fnatic and their fans were on the edge of their seats, CEO Sam Mathews wasn’t expecting the action to be so close to home.
Mathews’ home in London was the target of an attempted burglary during the final map of the series.
According to his later responses online, local police patrolled the area and eventually brought the suspect into custody later that evening.
On the same day, Fnatic were also competing in Brazil at R6 RE:L0:AD 2025 in Rainbow Six Siege esports. This made for quite an eventful day for Mathews and Fnatic.
Having written for Esports News UK since 2022, I’ve cultivated an extensive knowledge of all things esports.
Covering a wide variety of topics during my time as an esports journalist, it’s safe to say I’m a jack of all trades, if you’ll pardon the pun.
