The Upper bracket of both groups concluded today as Team Heretics and FunPlus Phoenix advanced to playoffs.
Europe’s First Strike Champions set themselves up for another deep tournament run as they became the first team to advance to the EU Masters playoffs after winning over NIP 2-1. During the draft phase, Team Heretics blocked out NIP’s best map, Icebox, and hedged their bets by picking Ascent for game 3, which heralds their highest attacker/defender round win rate at 70% each.
After a 9-3 start on Split, Team Heretics quickly closed out the map 13-5 in the quickest map of the series. The whole Heretics squad finished with a +1.00 K/D in this utterly dominant performance. Adversely, Bind was a hotly contested map wherein the first half ended an even 6-6. Despite Zygimantas “Nukkye” Chimieliauska’s excelltent Reina play, ending with 26 kills and several clutch multi-kills, NIP edged out an 11-13 win.
Team Heretics extended their winning streak on Ascent to 9 games in their 13-6 game 3 victory. With almost a perfect attacker side, Nukkye once again led Heretics to the series win. Still looking in championship winning form, Team Heretics played incredibly well on their map comfort picks but could stand to expand their horizons in this respect.
FunPlus Phoenix ended up on the other side of the playoff’s bracket after defeating DfuseTeam 2-0. Both games were incredibly back and forth, a clear winner only emerging in the last rounds as both ended 13-11 in favor of FPX. Pontus “Zyppan” Eek, FPX’s constant duelist presence, largely facilitated his team’s narrow win as he earned 48 kills with a 71% ESR across the two games.
Despite this being a 2-0, this was a clean showing from DfuseTeam, continuing to impress after upsetting Alliance. Meeting Guild Esports in the lower bracket finals for a shot at playoffs, this surging team making the cut would be no surprise.
Also read:
- Sentinels and FaZe bound to meet in Upper bracket
- Are we getting a new VALORANT map soon?
- TMG player cheating leads to disqualification for VALORANT Southeast Asia Masters
Which teams from the lower bracket do you think will join Team Heretics and FPX in the playoffs? Join the discussion on social media or our Discord!
You can also help improve our website by submitting direct feedback!
Image credit: Riot Games