“We will always keep improving and always keep going up” GIANTS Rhyme parting message to the fans after their loss to EDward Gaming at Valorant Champions 2023 Group A decider
The first game of the final day of Valorant Champions 2023 group stage featured a rematch between Giants Gaming and EDward Gaming. In their first encounter, the series went the distance with EDG edging out Giants Gaming. The rematch had everything on line with the winner of the series qualifying for the playoffs while the loser getting eliminated.
The series started on Split similar to their previous encounter. With EDG starting on attack this time, they controlled the pace of the game and secured a strong 9-3 half. EDward Gaming has to be given maximum credit for the strong half, but Giants did not look like their usual self either. EDG comfortably converted the six-round lead into a decisive 13-6 victory.
The second map of the series had Giants Gaming playing a map they hadn’t played in an official game yet. The inexperience and the nerves from Giants’ showed on Fracture. Despite the team’s strong attempts they couldn’t recover from the loss of the first map and lost the map 7-13 losing the series 0-2.
At the Riot-organized post-match press conference, pipson and Rhyme shared their thoughts on the pressure of the final game and gave the parting message to the Giants fans.
Q. Giants did not look like their usual self today. Do you think pressure played a part in that?
GIA pipson: “Probably yes, We were quite afraid of the defense of the first map. We were playing super static, let them take the map control, let them do whatever they want on the map. We were afraid of taking 50-50 fights. Probably yes, I think the pressure and nerves are part of the game. The psychological part is also an important part of the game. It is a huge experience for every player here. So like, yeah”
Q. Giants displayed some amazing Valorant throughout the year. Can we get some parting words from you for everyone who loves and supports the squad?
GIA Rhyme: “The season has been good. I think everyone on the table can agree. I think most people who watched have somewhat been happy with how we have been performing and what we have done. This is just one of many for all of us. And I think we have gone against the odds of what people have thought about us throughout the season. We have gone against the odds of the press, the media and whoever was thinking about the team before we started playing.
I can’t say anything else but thanks for supporting us and thanks for believing in us. I think that’s a big thing and I think people believed in us. That’s a big thing, people believed in us and always say that even though we made one step back sometimes, we made two steps forward. It was kinda similar in the tournament, We took two steps forward with EDG and KRU but are again one step back after the loss today. But next time we play, we will take two or three steps forward, so we will always keep improving and always keep going up. So I would thank people for always being there for us, always cheering for us and believing in the project.”
EDward Gaming were always the favorite to come out of Group A alongside Paper Rex. The team delivered as expected. Moreover, compared to their first run, the team had multiple players having their highlight moments. Especially nobody and Chichoo stood apart from the rest of the squad. EDG players talked about the team’s performance in the game and who they want to face in the press conference.
Q. What are your thoughts on the team’s performance so far, Anything you want to address before playing your playoff games?
EDG Haodong: “As for the performance of our team so far at the event, I’d say 9/10. Because If I give 10/10, the guys would get too cocky. And as for the things we should address before the match up, I’d say we still need to work on our mentality to win matches. For eg. When we faced off against the Giants in the first game, our mentality wasn’t on point. We were not completely committing to the game but now I feel like we are back on track already”
Q. The last time you played Giants, Split was especially close and it could’ve gone both ways. Did you expect them to pick Split again today? Do you think them picking Split was an advantage for you?
EDG AfteR: “Yes, We definitely expected that they would go with Split again. When we first faced them in the match, it was a pretty close match-up. Maybe, they thought they had an upper hand on us during the match-up and they could win again. To be honest, we weren’t really in the top form in the first match-up. So second time we didn’t give it to them”
Q. Who do you want to face in the playoffs?
EDG ZmjjKk: “I have said it once and I will say it again. Give me Derke”
EDG won’t face Fnatic just yet but have to win against Evil Geniuses and then the winner of the DRX-Bilibili Gaming. Fnatic themselves will be facing LOUD and Paper Rex / FUT before facing EDward Gaming.
Being a young team formed after the announcement of partnered teams, Giants made definite progress throughout the year. Fit1nho established himself as a good IGL and led the team to win the EMEA LCQ over Natus Vincere. With Giants Gaming out, all the LCQ teams are now eliminated from Valorant Champions. A small factor of the elimination of the teams has to be attributed to having only 15 days to practice before the Valorant Champions start.
The Valorant Champions 2023 resumes on 16th August. For more updates on Valorant Champions 2023, follow Valorant Champions tour Twitter.
Credits: Riot Games // Valorant Champions Tour.