Heretics fall in VCT EMEA Lower Finals; Vitality to face Fnatic in Grand Finals
Last night we bore witness to EMEA history, as for the first time in 2024, Team Heretics failed to make the Grand Finals of a VCT EMEA Playoffs. After an incredible debut year for their roster that saw them surprise many - despite running with a stand in at 3 of the tournaments they attended this year - Heretics are set for VCT Champions Seoul in less than 2 weeks.
Despite that, their final note in EMEA in 2024 brings a slight sour tone as they were subjected to a ruthless beating at the hands of Team Vitality to cap off their domestic year. Team Vitality eventually took it home with a 3-1 scoreline, soundly defeating Heretics for the second time in almost as many days.
Coming into last night, the Lower Finals matchup between Team Heretics and Team Vitality was a highly anticipated one given that not only was it an incredibly weighted rematch between two highly popular teams, the victory would also determine which team would make their way to the Grand Finals to face Fnatic.
The Storylines Were There
For Team Heretics, their story was one of a dramatic rise to the top over the course of 2024. Their team went from being one of the most questioned and underperforming roster last year, to the EMEA darlings this year. Their continued success in tournament after tournament - most notably attending both Masters this year with a stand in subbing in for a different player both times - along with their outgoing team personality, made them strong favorites within the region and an easy team to cheer for.
For Team Vitality, their rise at the eleventh hour almost seems unprecedented. By no means a weak team for any part of 2024, they were also wholly underwhelming at many points across the EMEA calendar. Despite this, their roster persisted within the middle of the pack, with talented veterans such as Saif "Sayf" Jibraeel still reminding the world why he was considered one of EMEA’s best duelists last year.
Hence, their rise to the top in this EMEA Playoffs is simultaneously a surprise and not a surprise. Since the change of head coach from Salah “Salah” Barakat to Harry “Gorilla” Mepham, the team seems to have captured that winning formula and it is clear to see in the faces of the players and the brimming confidence they now have in their plays and each other.
Team Vitality: Facing the Final Boss
It’s a curious sentiment to consider this current iteration of Fnatic the ‘final boss’ of EMEA and yet once again it seems, they have found themselves the gatekeeper of EMEA.
Fun fact: Vitality has been undefeated this Stage 2 except against one team. Can you guess which team it is?
Today, Team Vitality will get one more shot for the EMEA crown. For them, winning it will not only be a tremendous achievement, but will also mark a historic highlight for their organization, which has never placed inside of the top 3 at an EMEA tournament before since the start of the partner leagues.
Moreover, Saif "Sayf" Jibraeel, former champion of VCT EMEA in 2023, will also get a chance to make history, by being the first player to earn a second EMEA domestic title (since the partner leagues began).
For Fnatic, the defending champions from VCT EMEA Stage 1, delivering a victory tonight will serve as a resounding cream on top to finish their Stage 2 run. Having delivered impeccable results despite having to field a stand in for one of their key members, FNATIC are poised to enter this year’s Champions as the no.1 seed.
Fnatic vs Team Vitality: VCT EMEA Grand Finals
The final BO5 of the VCT EMEA league will begin today, on the 20th of July, at 6pm CEST. Livestreamed on both Twitch and YouTube, this is a finals you certainly will not want to miss.
Stay tuned to Strafe Esports for news on the regional VCT leagues and for VALORANT Champions 2024.
Also follow the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games
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