Fnatic Makes History as First VALORANT Team to Qualify for Masters Reykjavík
In an intense showdown, Fnatic emerged victorious against M3 Champions (M3C) in a 2-1 victory during the 2022 EMEA VCT Challengers One upper bracket semifinals. This win not only halted M3C’s win streak but also secured Fnatic’s spot as the first VALORANT team from the region and globally to qualify for Masters Reykjavík.
The match kicked off on Fracture, where Fnatic took the lead with a 7-5 score at halftime. With strategic retakes and exceptional plays from Mistic and Boaster, Fnatic displayed their mastery of VALORANT’s newest map. Boaster and Magnum’s clutch performances helped Fnatic secure a narrow 13-11 victory against the red hot M3C.
M3C retaliated on their pick of Bind, with sheydos dominating as Sage and achieving a pistol round ace. They continued their dominance in the second half, securing a 13-8 victory on Bind with strong performances from sheydos and Chronicle. The series then moved to Split for the final showdown.
On Split, Fnatic began on the defensive side and showcased an exceptional performance in the first half. Derke’s explosive Raze play helped Fnatic establish a 9-3 lead. Despite M3C’s reputation for late-game comebacks, Fnatic still managed to build a 12-7 lead on attack. However, M3C forced the game into overtime once again.
After multiple overtime rounds, Fnatic ultimately secured a hard-fought victory with a 23-21 score. This match marked Fnatic’s official return to competition after a week-long break, during which they secured the top seed in their group with a flawless 5-0 record. Their next match, which will determine their seed at Masters Reykjavik, will be against the winner of FPX vs. Liquid on Friday, March 25.
Fnatic, M3 Champions, VALORANT, EMEA VCT Challengers, Masters Reykjavík, Fracture, Bind, Split, overtime, comeback, Derke, sheydos, Chronicle, Raze, competition, top seed, FPX, Liquid.