North America’s Sentinels Express Concerns About European Teams as Potential Threat
Sentinels recently secured a victory in the VCT Challengers Finals quarterfinals against Version1. However, top players ShahZaM and SicK have expressed their concerns about the threat posed by European teams. In a post-game interview with , they discussed the region’s unique playstyle and strategies, highlighting the challenges North American teams may face against these unfamiliar tactics.
EU Meta and Strategies Pose a Challenge for Sentinels
ShahZaM stated that European teams look formidable due to their strategic and experimental approach. He stressed the importance of gaining experience against their unconventional team compositions. These European teams have a variety of strategies and agent comps that Sentinels may not have encountered before.
In fact, ShahZaM noticed Brimstone’s increasing popularity on Bind in the EU scene. Teams are heavily focusing on post-plants, using the combination of Brimstone, Viper, Killjoy, and Phoenix’s mollies to force opponents to adjust their gameplay in the final moments of a round. ShahZaM emphasized the need to counter these line-up abilities by aggressively engaging and eliminating opponents rather than faking a defuse.
EU and NA Styles Clash in Valorant
Brimstone’s pick rate in the EMEA Challengers Playoffs is 15%, significantly higher than the one-percent pick rate in the NA Challengers Two qualifier. This statistic highlights the different preferences and strategies employed by European and North American teams. During an intense match between Guild Esports and Fnatic on Bind, both teams utilized Brimstone extensively, resulting in a tight 15-13 overtime victory for Fnatic.
Sentinels’ SicK expressed his concerns about European teams, stating that they could potentially outperform their North American counterparts. He acknowledged the smart and tactical playstyle of European teams and admitted that Sentinels sometimes struggle against these approaches.
North American Favorites, but Challenges Remain
Sentinels are widely considered as favorites to represent North America at Masters: Reykjavík. However, they still face two best-of-three matches to secure their spot. In the semifinals, Sentinels will clash with 100 Thieves, another highly skilled team. The outcome of this match will greatly impact their journey to Iceland.
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