Fnatic has fallen: Karmine Corp Massive Upset to secure Madrid
Gods can bleed. The old king has been decapitated in a swift French Revolution that sees Karmine Corp head on to the Grand Finals of the VCT EMEA Kickoff. Moreover, they have punched in their ticket to VCT Masters Madrid.
Karmine Corp have just done the unthinkable.
They have shattered Fnatic in the semifinals of VCT EMEA Kickoff Playoffs, with a 2-0 victory over the two-time champions. Key to Karmine’s success, are their new hot stars: Martin “marteen” Pátek and Marshall “N4RRATE” Massey. Blazing a path towards a new era of challengers in EMEA, Fnatic find themselves left in the dust.
Fnatic Have Fallen
Two-time world champions Fnatic have fallen before the first VALORANT international event of the year - to Karmine Corp.
An unlikely loss that was preceded by an immaculate execution of both maps by Karmine Corp.
First, Lotus. A back-and-forth affair for the two teams that saw Fnatic already placed on the backfoot with the unexpected aggression coming out of Karmine’s members.
It is a rare sight to see Fnatic lose these many post-plant rounds in a row.
Nevertheless, Karmine managed precisely so, with equal parts heroic plays from their members, and precise teamplay.
Heading into Split, Karmine pulled out an unusual composition that included Yoru, who they used to excellent effect along with the rest of the team’s utility to disorient Fnatic to the extreme.
Since the formation of this Fnatic roster in late 2022, they have only twice found themselves pushed to such extremes, both times by LOUD, themselves world champions.
Moreover, Fnatic have not missed an international event since VCT Masters Berlin in 2021. Over 2 years ago.
Karmine Corp Continue to Shock
After suffering a dominating defeat at the hands of Team Heretics, Karmine Corp found themselves the second qualifying team through the Group Stage.
However, they had to face Play-ins. A grueling day of 2 Bo3 series that would determine which of three teams would make it through to join the others in Playoffs.
Karmine Corp proceeded to not only survive, but thrived in the gauntlet, emerging undefeated. Today, they took down the giants of Fnatic, despite coming in with a massive disadvantage of more games played.
Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games
Read More: