Gen.G dominated a gallant Sentinels squad in the opening series of the event, while Team Heretics and FunPlus Phoenix played out a nail-biting contest.

For the tournament��s opening match, Gen.G, playing on home turf, dominated Sentinels in a decisive 2-0 (13-8, 13-7) victory, settling the score after their loss in the VALORANT Champions Tour Masters Madrid grand final.

Revenge taken!

Gen.G wins the rematch vs Sentinels to kick off their #VALORANTChampions run! #GenGWIN pic.twitter.com/WjyINxMOS1

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 1, 2024

The Korean squad��s aggressive playstyle and impeccable teamwork proved too much for the North American giants.

In particular, Kim “t3xture” Na-ra, the Gen.G duelist, was a standout performer, pushing Sentinels to their limit throughout the series.

Sentinels were unable to win their pick on Haven, and Gen.G, known as the world’s best team on Ascent, proved way too good on their choice.

Kim “Meteor” Tae-o secured a 1v3 clutch in the first round on defence, setting the tone for the match on Haven.

Gen.G showcased excellent retakes and individual heroics, flipping crucial rounds in their favour.

T3xture ended the game with a KDA of 24/12/4 and an average combat score (ACS) of 305 and led his team to victory.

Sentinels tried a team composition with Deadlock and Cypher on Ascent but struggled against Gen.G’s coordinated attack.

The VALORANT esports rookie sensation, Kim “Karon” Won-tae, secured a remarkable 4K with a sheriff in the second round before going on to lead his team to a 13-7 victory.

Gen.G’s victory sets them up to face Team Heretics in the upper bracket, while Sentinels will face FunPlus Phoenix in a must-win lower bracket match.

If the first match was a showcase of dominance, the second was a masterclass in resilience and determination as Team Heretics and FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) engaged in a thrilling battle that showcased their highest level of gameplay.

Heretics won on Abyss with a scoreline of 14-12 in overtime, with both teams trading early rounds on the newest addition to the map pool.

Enes “RieNs” Ecirli finished with the highest rating of 1.53, 202 ADR, and a +16 differential.

The Turkish-born rifler led his team with 28 kills, including a standout 4K with the guardian.

FPX returned serve with a 13-9 victory on Bind, ending the map with three straight round wins to end Heretics’ late comeback.

FPX dominated with a double-controller and Chamber-based composition, taking an 8-4 lead and eventually winning 13-9.

Both teams traded 6-6 halves to send the final map of Lotus to overtime before Heretics clinched the map 15-13.

RieNs continued his dominant form and ended the series with a server-high 1.34 rating and +27 kill/death differential across the three maps.

Team Heretics walk away with the series win against FPX at #VALORANTChampions Seoul! #VamosHeretics pic.twitter.com/tHihcenhnu

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 1, 2024

More esports news

This exciting new line up comprises a mix of emerging talent and experienced players, all determined to make their mark in the European VALORANT scene.

Leading the charge is Ri?ardas ��Boo�� Luka?evi?ius, who takes on the role of in-game leader.

Joining him is his younger brother, Dominykas ��MiniBoo�� Luka?evi?ius, demonstrating a family connection that promises to bring a unique dynamic to the team.

The roster further boasts the skills of Benjy ��benjyfishy�� Fish, a former Fortnite star making the transition to VALORANT.

Complementing this core are two promising Turkish prospects, Enes ��RieNs�� Ecirli and Mert ��Wo0t�� Alkan.

This line up represents a significant departure from the 2023 roster, which included veterans such as ��scar ��mixwell�� Ca?ellas, who recently announced his retirement from competitive play.

The transition is marked by a reveal video that features Mixwell passing the torch to this new generation of players, affectionately referred to as “Los Ni?os,” signifying the dawn of a new era for Team Heretics in VALORANT.

While the team is relatively young, with Boo being the eldest player at 25, they bring a wealth of individual talent and accomplishments.

Benjyfishy was honoured as the Rookie of the Season during the East: Surge Split One, while MiniBoo secured the Season MVP title in the Spain: Rising Split Two, both in 2023.

RieNs played a crucial role on the S2G Esports roster, reaching the finals in Turkish Splits and winning one of them.

Wo0t, while not enjoying the same team success with Fire Flux Esports, claimed the Regular Season MVP for the first Turkish Split in 2023.

This is an initial roster composition, and the players have experience in various roles, from MiniBoo’s expertise with Jett and Raze to RieNs’ proficiency with Breach and Sova.

Adjusting to a new line up will take time, but the inherent chemistry between the two Lithuanian brothers should provide a solid foundation.

In the diverse EMEA VALORANT scene, mixed rosters have demonstrated their potential for success, as evidenced by teams like Fnatic who dominated the 2023 VCT season.

Although success hinges on the right staff and circumstances, this Heretics roster shows promise not only as a dark horse for the 2024 season but for years to come.

Their blend of youthful energy and individual achievements could be the recipe for a bright future in the competitive VALORANT landscape.

Team Heretics VALORANT roster

• Ri?ardas ��Boo�� Luka?evi?ius
• Dominykas ��MiniBoo�� Luka?evi?ius
• Benjy ��benjyfishy�� Fish
• Enes ��RieNs�� Ecirli
• Mert ��Wo0t�� Alkan

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