The upcoming NA VALORANT Champions Tour Stage Three Challengers One main event is right around the corner, and the top eight teams have secured their spots. Expect Sentinels, Version1, Envy, and other teams in the event. Even smaller teams like Pioneers have a chance to make it into the Challengers Playoffs.
One of the exciting matchups in the Challengers One main event is between 100 Thieves and Version1. Version1, one of the top teams in North America, recently competed in Masters Two in Iceland. Although 100 Thieves did not make it into Masters Two, they are still one of the heavy hitters in the region.
In this matchup, one team will advance to the upper semifinals while the other will drop to the lower bracket. To get an idea of what to expect, let’s take a look at their recent performances.
Version1’s continued success
Version1 surprised North America in the VCT Stage Two Challengers Finals. They made it through the event undefeated until they faced Sentinels in the grand finals, who defeated them 3-0. Along the way, Version1 beat big teams like Envy, Cloud9 Blue, and NRG. They also secured their spot in Masters Two Reykjavik, the first international VALORANT LAN event.
In Masters Two in Iceland, Version1 started strong with wins against Crazy Raccoon and Team Liquid but lost against the Korean team NUTURN. They were eventually eliminated by Fnatic, but they were still one of the only two North American teams that made it to the international event.
In the VCT Stage Three Challengers One open qualifier, Version1 had a bye into the round of 32. They easily defeated YFP Gaming and Luminosity without dropping a map.
In the Challengers One main event, Version1’s first opponent is 100 Thieves, which could pose a more challenging matchup if 100 Thieves can return to their dominant form.
Stage Three redemption for 100 Thieves?
100 Thieves won First Strike, the first significant VALORANT tournament, but they haven’t won another major event since. In VCT Masters One, they finished in a tie for seventh and didn’t qualify for Masters Two. However, they have looked strong in Stage Three so far and easily made it through the Challengers One open qualifiers.
In the open qualifiers, 100 Thieves defeated IlluZion Orange and Lazarus without losing a map. Their match against SoaR was a close one, with SoaR securing a 13-11 victory on Icebox. However, 100 Thieves closed the series with wins on Ascent and Haven. In the round of 16, they faced Noble, who also beat them on Icebox. But 100 Thieves closed the series on Ascent, advancing further.
It’s worth mentioning that 100 Thieves used former player Quan “dicey” Tran as a substitute against Noble, but only for the first map of the series. The core lineup will be back for their match against Version1, which will undoubtedly be their biggest challenge so far.
An intense matchup
100 Thieves will have their work cut out for them against Version1. Version1’s performance in Iceland shows that they are a force to be reckoned with in North America. According to vlr.gg, Version1 has an 84 percent win rate on Icebox, which almost guarantees a map win if it’s selected in the series.
However, 100 Thieves has an incredible roster with experienced CS:GO veterans. Peter “Asuna” Mazuryk is also one of the best Duelists in the region and has the power needed to take on Version1. If Version1 can maintain their dominant performance, it’s likely that 100 Thieves will move to the lower bracket.
The winner of this series will move on to the Challengers One upper semifinals, while the loser will face the loser between Envy and Pioneers. Regardless of the outcome, both teams have already secured a spot in the Challengers Two main event. The top four teams in the Challengers Playoffs will move forward.
100 Thieves will face Version1 at 4pm CT on July 8.
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