The Korean titan slayers struck again, knocking Version1 into the lower bracket in dramatic fashion.
NUTURN entered Masters Reykjavik as a largely unknown quantity. The relatively obscure organization made a name for itself domestically by knocking down the two major players in Korean VALORANT, Vision Strikers and Damwon Kia. An impressive win against Yng Sharks convinced many NUTURN could be a contender. Placed behind NA and EU teams, NUTURN shocked everyone by taking V1 down 2-1.
Version1’s map pick, Haven, made the series appear like a quick affair. Though an outstanding map from all V1 members, Penny had a particularly excellent showing. Penny’s Jett brought the team 17 total frags with an impressive 201 ADR. Easily skating past NUTURN on their worst map, two consecutive OT maps turned the tide on V1.
Map two, Ascent, took nearly double the rounds and ultimately landed in NUTURN’s favor 13-15. A 7-5 start for V1 certainly made it a more competitive map, but an impeccable defender side by Lakia specifically pushed the game into OT. Eventually taking the map, NUTURN managed to push the series to a final map.
Lakia’s performance on Raze sealed Version1’s fate on the final map, Split. Two consecutive 6-6 halves eventually ended with two consecutive OT round wins to take the series. Lakia ended the series undoubtedly NUTURN’s MVP, finding 50 total kills with a 205 ACS.
Now, the Korean usurpers will get another shot to take down a tournament favorite, but this time against Sentinels. Defeating both the Brazilian and NA second seeds, NUTURN could give the greatest upset in VALORANT’s young history by forcing Sentinels into the lower bracket.
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