UK-based esports organisation, Fnatic, swept aside Team Heretics in yesterday’s Grand Finals to win the Valorant Champions Tour 2025: EMEA Stage 1.
The team have successfully dominated the Playoffs to close out Stage 1 as the number one seed going into VCT Masters Toronto.
The win yesterday evening also marks the first domestic title for Austin ‘crashies’ Roberts alongside rookie Kajetan ‘kaajak’ Haremski.
Fnatic’s in-game leader, Jake ‘Boaster’ Howlett, also treated fans to his walkout to Bini’s Zero Pressure, as first teased in an interview with Esports News UK.
The Grand Final
Fnatic started strong by taking an early and dominant lead in Map 1 on Split, taking the first seven rounds before Team Heretics could get on the board.
Ultimately, Fnatic’s lead was too strong, as they closed out the first map 13-4.
Map 2 on Icebox gave many the feeling of déjà vu, with Fnatic once again taking a strong early lead.
Team Heretics’ control of the second half gave their fans enough hope to believe once again, clawing it back to 11-9 before Fnatic could properly respond.
After raising everyone’s blood pressure by an unhealthy amount, Fnatic managed to secure Map 2 with four rounds to spare.
Third time was the charm for Team Heretics as they took the initial lead on the third map, Fracture. However, this didn’t last long when kaajak picked off Team Heretics with an early Operator.
It was neck and neck as each side traded rounds and kills with some heroics from British player Benjy ‘benjyfishy’ Fish on his signature Cypher.
It was too close for even fate to decide as the map went into overtime, as each side exchanged rounds in the final moments.
Eventually, Fnatic were able to pull everything together to win the map and the title in a clean sweep.
VCT Masters Toronto
Fnatic will head into Masters Toronto as the number one seed for EMEA, alongside Team Heretics and Team Liquid as second and third seeds, respectively.
The London-based squad will have an automatic bye into the Playoffs, thanks to their efforts yesterday.
The Swiss Stage will see Team Heretics face VCT Pacific’s Paper Rex, while Team Liquid, with British player Georgio ‘keiko’ Sanassy, will be up against VCT China’s Bilibili Gaming.
British-owned Wolves Esports are also set to compete at Masters Toronto, where they will aim to take down Sentinels from VCT Americas.
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.
