Remaining 4 put together for climactic weekend at VCT EMEA: Stage 2 Playoffs

GIANTX, Liquid, BBL Esports, and Natus Vincere (NaVi) will face off in a climactic showdown at VCT EMEA: Stage 2 Playoffs, which can resolve not solely the place the EMEA Stage 2 trophy will find yourself, however who will attend VCT Champions in Paris.

Liquid, favourites for the title with esports betting websites, will play BBL Esports within the Higher Bracket Remaining, earlier than GIANTX tackle NaVi within the Decrease Bracket Semis.

VCT EMEA Stage 2 Playoff image

Whereas Liquid are undoubted favourites for the crown, BBL Esports, that includes former ENCE CSGO participant Elias ‘Jamppi’ Olkkonen, have constantly shocked pundits this 12 months, notably defeating Liquid 3-1 to qualify for the Esports World Cup.

Liquid are the final remaining favorite for the title, following the early exits of Stage 1 Champions, Fnatic. Vitality and Karmine Corp additionally fell early, however whereas their manufacturers stay sturdy in Valorant, they each had middling splits, ending 2-3 and 3-2, respectively, of their teams.

Fnatic have been shockingly eradicated 2-0 by GIANTX within the Decrease Bracket Quarter-finals, however Britain’s Jake ‘Boaster’ Howlett and his boys have been already assured of a spot in Paris via EMEA factors.

Liquid are additionally assured of a spot in Paris whatever the weekend’s outcomes, nevertheless, it’s all to play for for the opposite remaining Break up 2 groups, with 2 spots nonetheless to be claimed between Heretics, BBL, NaVi and GIANTX.

Can NaVi proceed to shock?

After a robust begin in Valorant, which noticed NaVi competing for the highest prizes throughout Valorant’s preliminary esports surge, NaVi have since regressed to being a bit-part participant within the scene. The workforce have usually been adequate to make playoffs, however have not often executed injury inside them.

But there’s a distinctly totally different air round NaVi within the Stage 2 playoffs. It’s unclear whether or not it’s merely hearth to make the Paris Champs or stronger synergy throughout the roster, however their 2-0 victories over Vitality and EWC 2025 champions, Heretics, have given all of them the sensation of a darkish horse for the occasion.

NaVi appear to be gaining power with every official following the addition of Alex ‘alexiiik’ Hawlasek, with the teenager underneath the storied management of IGL Kyrylo ‘ANGE1’ Karasov, who has a historical past of expertise growth in CSGO and Valorant, having been one among Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev’s first IGLs.

In an interview with Sheep Esports, ANGE1 stated, “I’m very happy with Alex. He’s progressing a lot quicker than I anticipated when shifting into Tier 1.”

The roster should make the Grand Remaining to make Valorant Champions, however should achieve this by shifting previous a GIANTX roster they’ve already misplaced to in playoffs after a 2-1 defeat within the higher bracket quarters.