Bloodsoaked Arena: VCT EMEA Week 6 Recap

Vitality are now in dire straits with a much-needed victory snatched away, Karmine’s woes return to plague them, BBL are on a roll with another head claimed, NA’VI win against a desperate gambit from Liquid, and Heretics play their hearts out in an incredible series.

Here is everything you may have missed from Week 6 of the VCT EMEA:

VCT EMEA Week 6 Standings:

VCT EMEA Week 6. Screencapture Strafe Esports.

VCT EMEA Week 6 Match Results:

Team Vitality vs Fnatic [0-2]

Unfortunate loss for Vitality as they bared insufficient fangs at Fnatic in this series. Despite the dominant scoreline, the series itself was a closely contested one that saw Vitality at points; contend well against Fnatic’s gameplan. A much-needed victory for Vitality does not go their way as the loss sends them spiraling into dangerous territory points-wise in the regular season.

Haven was “Derke’s” game, no doubt about that. Posting two separate Aces within the first map alone, it was a troublesome series that saw Vitality let slip an initial lead. The first half ended 7-5 in favor of Vitality, but they were unable to capitalize on the momentum despite finishing with the last four rounds of the half. Fnatic’s pistol win equalized and from there, their defense half with the aid of well-executed holds, successfully stalled out Vitality long enough to seize back the second half for Fnatic, forcing it into Overtime. There, Fnatic managed to overcome Vitality finally, taking them out on Haven 14-12.

Vitality’s gambit to equalize the series took them to Bind next, where the squad opened with a crucial pistol round win. Despite that, Fnatic managed to equalize late into the half to bring the scoreline to 6-6. With pundits expecting another drawn-out half similar to Haven, Fnatic surprised many with a dominant showing on Defense, winning the majority of their rounds without Vitality even managing to plant. Bind ended 13-8, with Vitality winning only 2 extra rounds in the second half.

Strafe Player of the Series: FNC Derke

FUT Esports vs Karmine Corp [2-0]

FUT continues to ramp up their performance as Karmine suffer a setback after last week’s miraculous victory. With FUT first taking the series to Haven, Karmine was initially off to a grand start, slamming in a confident pistol round win. Despite winning the bonus round, however, Karmine was unable to adapt to FUT’s adjustments, ending the half 7-5 in favor of FUT. Heading into the Defense half, Karmine again won the pistol, but this time, were unable to capitalize on the conversion. With FUT firmly in control, they strung together 5 of the last 6 rounds to finish Haven 13-8.

Heading into Ascent once more, Karmine continue their tried and tested comp. However, underperformance from “ScreaM” was a massive key that prevented them from converting early rounds. FUT was able to leap off to an 8-0 start before Karmine managed to answer back. The first half ended 8-4 in favor of FUT.

Karmine’s Defense side was even more lackluster this time, with FUT demolishing past defenses to take 5 of the 6 rounds played to close out Ascent in blistering time with a 13-5 scoreline.

Strafe Player of the Series: FUT qw1

KOI vs BBL Esports [1-2]

Another win for the underdogs BBL and KOI are likely near the end of their rope in terms of mounting frustrations. KOI have yet to win a series since their first initial win against NA’VI in Week 1. Meanwhile, this marks BBL’s third consecutive win, and a pivotal one that now puts them into contention for playoffs. For a team that began 0-4, this is quite a storied run.

KOI began the series on Pearl, taking one of their most convincing series starts to date with a thundering 6-0 start before BBL managed to answer. Despite BBL managing the take the last two rounds of the half, KOI still took a 9-3 half. Their confidence was visibly soaring into the second half, where they slammed home the victory at a scoreline of 13-3, with a clean sweep of the second half.

Which takes us to the second map. Why, oh why, do EMEA teams continue to give BBL Ascent? KOI receive a taste of their own medicine as they are taken for a joyride that ends with BBL in the lead 9-3 at the half. From there, it is a near clean sweep as BBL win the pistol and conversion, losing only the bonus before cleanly closing out Ascent 13-4.

Heading into the decider map of Bind, the momentum had clearly shifted to BBL and KOI were looking visibly shaken. An early pistol, conversion, and bonus round wins shook some of that off, but BBL quickly reasserted their lead with a reply of five rounds. From there, they managed to take the half 7-5 against KOI. The second half was a horrific display from one and a magnificent defense from the other, as BBL took 6 straight rounds to win Bind 13-5.

Strafe Player of the Series: BBL AsLanM4shadoW

Natus Vincere vs Team Liquid [2-0]

A gauntlet series that saw both top titans clash in a fated battle. Even down a man, Liquid managed to push hard against NA’VI, testing them well throughout the series. First taking the series to Fracture, NA’VI began the map convincingly with a pistol and bonus round win that secure an early lead. Despite that, Liquid was able to answer back with fast aggressive takes that capitalized on momentum, equalizing the score by halftime at 6 apiece. The intense back-and-forth continued, with heroic plays from both sides ultimately pivoting the game both ways. NA’VI emerged victorious 13-11 in the end.

Bind was even more intense, with Liquid off to a swift start initially. This time, NA’VI struggled to overcome an incredible defense side from Liquid that included impressive holds from “Harmii” and “Jamppi” especially. The first half ended 7-5 in favor of Liquid. Heading into the defense side, NA’VI looked to close the gap but Liquid was determined to not let it slip. Showing brazen ferocity, they attacked the sites with unleashed aggression that netted them crucial swing rounds. Despite that, however, a series of very close clutches went the way of NA’VI, in what would have otherwise been a three-map series. NA’VI managed to close out Bind 13-11, thanks in large part to late game heroics from "Zyppan".

Strafe Player of the Series: NAVI Zyppan

Giants Gaming vs Team Heretics [0-2]

Holy baloney, a resurgence of form for Heretics see them play their best series yet of the season (even down a man). Giants bring out map favorite Pearl in a bid to start strong, only to be shocked with an unorthodox composition pick from Heretics, a “Yoru” from Mixwell, rolling back the years to his G2 days. Heretics ended the first half with a 9-3 score after an aggressive series of rounds saw them essentially unable to do any wrong as they took site after site in successive manner. In the second half, Giants managed to bounce back with an incredible Attack side that saw them bring back nearly six rounds in a row. However, the score deficit was too much to overcome, and Heretics were able to adjust in time to close out with their advantage.

Heretics then took the series to Lotus, in one of the most intense maps played of the split thus far. An incredible game between both teams that truly went the distance. Giants opened with a crucial pistol round win that lent them the early lead, only for Heretics to answer back quickly with three. A back-and-forth ensued that led to Giants narrowly taking the first half 7-5. Despite winning the pistol and bonus, a successive series of incredible retakes from Heretics saw them equalize the score to force overtime. There, the teams battled hard, exhausted from the drawn-out series. Heroics from “Mixwell” and “Avova” especially were key, with special mention to “Weber’s” performance as well. Heretics eventually managed to close out the series 16-14.

Strafe Player of the Series: TH Mixwell

The seventh week of VCT EMEA kicks off on 10th May, with Team Vitality taking on Giants Gaming.

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Credit: Hara Amorós // VCT EMEA // Valorant Esports