Fnatic Triumphs at VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Tokyo
Fnatic, the VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Tokyo victors, have made history by winning their second consecutive international title with an impressive 3-0 victory over Evil Geniuses on June 25. This win solidifies Fnatic’s position as the dominant force in pro-VALORANT in 2023.
The best-of-five series began on Lotus, a map where Fnatic had previously shown their prowess against EG. Although they didn’t have the same dominant start as before, with the first half ending in a tie at 6-6, Fnatic still outperformed EG. In the second half, Fnatic only conceded two rounds and secured a 13-8 victory, setting the tone for an exciting Championship Sunday.
Split started off closely contested, but Fnatic’s strong defense led by Emir “Alfajer” Beder’s Cypher gave them a four-round lead. Alfajer strategically used his Camera to gain information and secure kills, showcasing an impressive hold on the A site.
As the map progressed, both teams strategically utilized timeouts to disrupt their opponent’s momentum, resulting in a tied score of 11-11. However, Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev’s explosive play in round 23, where he secured four kills on the B site, gave Fnatic a match point.
Fnatic quickly planted the bomb and secured the round with Derke’s Showstopper, eliminating the need for another opportunity to tie the map. With a 2-0 series lead, Fnatic showcased their strength by virtue of the double map ban earned from the upper bracket, putting them in a favorable position for a potential sweep in the finals.
Fnatic’s task was simple in the final map: prevent EG from staging a comeback, similar to their performance against LOUD in the LOCK//IN grand finals. Facing elimination, EG opted for a desperate strategy, utilizing Reyna and Chamber, two agents they hadn’t heavily utilized throughout the tournament, on Bind.
EG’s surprise composition caught Fnatic off guard, as Kelden “Boostio” Pupello on Reyna and Max “Demon1” Mazanov on Chamber made significant contributions with their abilities and weapons.
EG dictated the pace of the game on Bind, leading 8-4 at the half and extending their lead after winning the second pistol round. Despite being down 12-7, Fnatic demonstrated resilience and fought back to bring the map into overtime, ultimately securing two quick rounds and claiming their second title of 2023.
Through this victory, Fnatic has solidified their reign at the top of VALORANT. This super team, formed during the off-season, has proven to be an unstoppable force in the competitive scene.
During the post-match interview, Fnatic players discussed the challenges they faced throughout the series and what it took for them to secure their second title. Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov stated, “It was tough for us at the start of Bind, but we realized it was similar to our previous finals against LOUD on Icebox. We remained focused on mounting a comeback and executing our attack side. It went just as we expected, and I’m glad we maintained our concentration.”
Related: Full results from VALORANT’s VCT Masters Tokyo 2023 tournament
When asked about the clash between EMEA and North America, Leo Jannesson bluntly stated the truth that nobody was ready to accept.
“EMEA team simply puts in more effort than NA teams,” Leo confidently declared on stage. “We earned that extra spot for our region, and we will prove our strength at Champions.”
Fnatic’s victory secures another spot for EMEA at VCT Champions, with two teams progressing from the Last Chance Qualifier starting on July 19.
Fnatic, VALORANT, Champions Tour Masters Tokyo, back-to-back international titleholders, Evil Geniuses, VALORANT esports, pro-VALORANT, Lotus, Championship Sunday, defenses, bomb plant, double map ban, EMEA, NA, Last Chance Qualifier.