Leviatán faced off against Team Vitality in the Group C decider match, with both teams having suffered 2-1 losses to Trace Esports and secured 2-0 wins over Talon Esports.
Leviatán, aiming for their first international VALORANT tournament playoff berth since Champions 2022, showed determination from the start.
Their pick of Icebox was a closely contested battle, with Leviatán edging out a 7-5 lead at the half.
Vitality’s efforts, led by standout performances from Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel and Nikita “trexx” Cherednichenko, brought them to a 12-10 lead.
However, Leviatán, driven by Francisco “kiNgg” Alberto Aravena and Erick “aspas” Santos, rallied to take the map 14–12 in overtime.
kiNgg led the scoreboard with 22 kills and a 229 average combat score (ACS), while trexx delivered 22 kills and 225 ACS for Vitality.
Sunset was a different story, with Leviatán dominating from the start.
A 10-2 first half, bolstered by strong defensive setups and individual plays from Corbin “C0M” Daniel Lee and aspas, set the tone.
Vitality managed to win the second pistol round, but Leviatán quickly closed out the map 13-4, securing a 2-0 series victory.
Roberto “Mazino” Francisco Rivas Bugue?o topped the ratings on Sunset with a 1.45 rating, 169 ADR, and 15 kills, while C0M followed closely with a 1.43 rating and 16 kills.
When asked about their upcoming playoff opponent, C0M confidently stated, “Give us anyone. We’ll beat them.”
Leviatán will look to back up this bold claim when the playoffs begin on August 14 and they clash with G2 Esports.
LEVIATáN SECURES THEIR PLAYOFF SPOT AT #VALORANTChampions SEOUL! pic.twitter.com/NkGd41hAPe
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 11, 2024
In a dramatic clash, EDward Gaming (EDG) overcame Paper Rex 2-1 to secure their place in the playoffs, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the knockout stage since China’s inclusion in the VALORANT Champions Tour circuit.
This match was the sixth time these two squads faced off, with Paper Rex having won four of the previous five encounters.
The series began on Icebox, where Paper Rex started strong, taking the first map 13-3, thanks to an outstanding performance from Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto, who recorded a massive 1.76 rating and 235 ADR.
However, EDG adjusted swiftly on Sunset, rallying to a 13-8 victory thanks to impressive performances from Wang “nobody” Senxu and Zhang “Smoggy” Zhao, who combined for 34 kills and over 300 ADR.
The decider map, Lotus, saw EDG take control early, punishing Paper Rex’s defensive mistakes and securing a commanding 9-3 lead at halftime.
Despite a brief resurgence from Paper Rex, EDG closed out the map 13-4, sending Paper Rex home and advancing to the playoffs.
Wan “CHICHOO” Shunzhi, reflecting on the victory, noted their ability to quickly adapt after the first map.
“We’ve played Paper Rex so many times that we were able to fix our mistakes on the last two maps,” he said.
Despite expressing a desire to avoid facing fellow Chinese squad Trace Esports, EDward Gaming will now face them in the playoffs.
EDWARD GAMING ELIMINATES PAPER REX TO CLAIM THE FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT! #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/dwIKvoC3xf
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 11, 2024
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TALON ESPORTS vs TEAM VITALITY VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | Talon $2.49 at GG Bet | VIT $1.50 at GG Bet |
| When: | August 9, 2024 | 17:00 KST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
Talon Esports started their VALORANT Champions 2024 campaign with a 0-2 loss against one of the tournament favourites, Leviatan. Team Vitality were just as unsuccessful, albeit against one of the tournament underdogs, Trace Esports, who bested EMEA’s second seed 2-1.
There is not much to separate the two sides based on their first-round performances, although looking at the season stats, Team Vitality are the better squad. Jokūbas “ceNder” Labutis and co. were, however, a bit inconsistent in the second stage of VCT 2024 EMEA, dropping maps even against lesser opposition.
Vitality’s inconsistency should open opportunities for Talon Esports to do some damage. And while expecting the fourth seed from VCT Pacific to win is a bit too optimistic, this has the potential to be a close affair.
Over 2.5 maps
FUT ESPORTS vs PAPER REX VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | FUT $2.40 at GG Bet | PR $1.53 at GG Bet |
| When: | August 9, 2024 | 20:00 KST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
FUT Esports slipped up against EDward Gaming in the opening match of Group D. On the other side, Paper Rex proved to be no match against the young G2 Esports roster, who bested VALORANT Champions 2023 runners-up in one clean swoop.
The VCT 2024 Pacific Stage 1 champions are priced as favourites for this affair, which is not shocking considering this is a very experienced roster. But Paper Rex’s results leading into VALORANT Champions 2024 are very similar to that of FUT Esports.
Paper Rex have a better win rate on Sunset and marginally on Lotus, whereas FUT Esports are more efficient on Split and Ascent. At best, VALORANT betting sites should price this series closer to even money, so we will gladly side with the underdogs.
FUT Esports to win
]]>
This victory marks the second time G2 has bested Paper Rex, the first being a 2-1 win at the VCT Masters Shanghai playoffs.
The current G2 roster, which previously played under The Guard, made their debut at this prestigious VALORANT Champions Tour tournament.
G2 opened with a 3-1 lead on Paper Rex’s pick of Icebox, thanks to a Gekko bait play.
Despite a mid-solo-play attempt from Jonah “JonahP” Pulice, Paper Rex initially equalised at 4-4 but struggled to maintain momentum.
G2 secured the half at 8-4 and went on to win the map 13-8.
G2 dominated the early rounds on Lotus with a strong defence led by JonahP, who achieved a 1.45 rating and a 327 average combat score (ACS) in the first half.
They took a massive 9-3 lead into halftime, and even though Paper Rex managed to close the gap, they ultimately fell 13-9.
G2’s performance was praised by Josh “JoshRT” Lee, while Paper Rex’s coach, Alexandre “alecks” Sallé, lamented his team’s inability to follow their game plan.
G2 kicks off their #VALORANTChampions campaign with a clean sweep! #G2WIN pic.twitter.com/Z0F2d87Xat
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 4, 2024
EDward Gaming (EDG) triumphed over FUT Esports 2-0 (13-9, 13-10), winning both maps and advancing to the Group D winner’s match against G2 Esports.
EDG, seeking redemption after a year of disappointing results, showcased a strong performance reminiscent of their peak in 2023.
EDG chose Lotus and FUT picked Bind, with both maps favouring the Chinese representatives, who held strong records on both maps throughout the year.
EDG secured an 8-4 lead in the first half of Lotus, propelled by the performances of Zhang “Smoggy” Zhao and Wan “CHICHOO” Shunzhi.
Although FUT rallied in the second half, the Smoggy and CHICHOO dominance continued, as they posted server-high ratings of 1.27 and 1.26, respectively.
Despite a close match on Bind, EDG stabilised their economy late and clinched the map, securing a 2-0 series victory.
Edward Gaming wins their first series at #VALORANTChampions Seoul! pic.twitter.com/RTZ5UrqkZZ
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 4, 2024
EDG’s strategic use of mixed buys and half-armor proved effective, contrasting with FUT’s preference for full buys.
Despite FUT’s efforts, including strong individual performances from Eray “yetujey” Budak and Mehmet “cNed” Ya??z ?pek, EDG’s coordinated play and economic management led them to victory.
The upcoming matches in Group D will see G2 Esports facing EDward Gaming in the winner’s match, while FUT Esports will take on Paper Rex in the lower bracket, fighting to stay in the tournament.
]]>
PAPER REX v G2 ESPORTS VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| Best Odds: | PR $1.22 at GG Bet | G2 $4.00 at GG Bet |
| When: | May 30, 2024 | 16:00 CST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
G2 Esports fought their way through the Swiss stage of VCT 2024 Masters Shanghai with a 2-0 record. The North American second seed defeated T1 and Team Heretics, earning their spot among the top eight VALORANT teams — but according to the esports betting odds, their Cinderella story ends here.
Paper Rex have yet to play a game in Shanghai, having earned a direct bye into the playoffs by winning VCT 2024 Pacific Stage 1. This means the Pacific champions haven’t played an official match in two weeks, but they also have plenty of film to look over to prepare for this affair.
Paper Rex are the same core of players who placed third in VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo and reached the finals of VALORANT Champions in August. Even this season, Paper Rex have already accomplished plenty, with a bronze medal from the Madrid Masters and two finals appearances in VCT Pacific.
Even though G2 Esports deserve a lot of respect for what they’ve shown in the first split of the season, they had some struggles making it past T1 and Heretics. And if that’s any indication, Paper Rex should be too much for them to handle.
Paper Rex -1.5 maps
EDWARD GAMING v TEAM HERETICS VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| Best Odds: | EDG $2.00 at GG Bet | Heretics $1.72 at GG Bet |
| When: | May 30, 2024 | 19:00 CST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
Team Heretics have proved themselves to be a competitive side in this VALORANT Champions Tour season. They placed second in the VCT 2024 EMEA Kickoff and Stage 1 and performed well in Madrid, even though they exited the Masters tournament in last place with two close defeats against Sentinels and Paper Rex.
EDward Gaming are the undisputed best VALORANT esports team from China, and they didn’t look too bad in Madrid, with a victory over Paper Rex and losses against LOUD and Gen.G. Yet the top esports betting sites have them priced as underdogs for this match, which mainly has to do with the fact that they hail from a weaker region.
Even though Team Heretics have reached higher highs this season, they hardly looked much more potent than EDward Gaming. Bet on this one going to three maps.
Over 2.5 maps
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TEAM SECRET vs T1 VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| Best Odds: | Secret $1.93 at GG Bet | T1 $1.82 at GG Bet |
| When: | May 3, 2024 | 17:00 KST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/valorant_pacific) |
T1 finished VCT 2024 Pacific Stage 1 Group Alpha in third place with a 2-4 record, one spot behind Team Secret at 3-3. Although they looked shaky in the final week of the regular season, T1 are priced as slight favourites with GG Bet for this match.
Team Secret are not in a much better spot, as they also slipped in the final week of the regular season. That said, Secret humiliated Paper Rex in Week 3 and have been slowly improving as the season progressed.
Both teams have played good and bad games throughout VCT 2024 Pacific Stage 1; however, Team Secret have looked cleaner lately, making them a better choice at the offered VALORANT esports betting odds.
Team Secret to win
PAPER REX vs TALON ESPORTS VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| Best Odds: | PR $1.27 at GG Bet | Talon $3.55 at GG Bet |
| When: | May 3, 2024 | 20:00 KST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/valorant_pacific) |
Paper Rex are priced as massive favourites for their first match of the VCT 2024 Pacific Stage 1 Playoffs, and it’s hard to argue with that. They have been performing well this season, with a runner-up finish in the Kickoff tournament and a bronze medal from VCT 2024 Masters Madrid.
Paper Rex ended Stage 1 with just one defeat — against the surging Team Secret in Week 3. Talon Esports finished the group stage with the same 4-1 record, but they did not look as dominant in their wins — especially against lesser teams such as Bleed Esports and Global Esports.
Paper Rex are one of the region’s strongest teams, whereas Talon Esports have only made it so far because they managed to edge past a couple of bottom-feeders. As the offered VCT betting odds suggest, Paper Rex should deal with Talon Esports easily.
Paper Rex -1.5 maps
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This win secures a top-three placement for Sentinels in their first international event of the year, a feat credited to the team’s impeccable execution of their game plan under the guidance of their coaching staff.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!
SENTINELS DEFEAT LOUD IN THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF MATCH AT #VALORANTMasters MADRID! pic.twitter.com/VBhM7qUs3O
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) March 21, 2024
The match showcased remarkable performances, with Sentinels’ Mohamed “johnqt” Amine Ouarid leading the charge with 57 kills and serving as the in-game leader (IGL), while LOUD’s Arthur “tuyz” Vieira and Cauan “cauanzin” Pereira put up a strong fight with 51 kills each.
Sentinels displayed dominance on the map Split, a surprise to spectators as LOUD allowed it to be played despite Sentinels’ proficiency on the map.
Tyson “TenZ” Van Ngo and Zachary “zekken” Jude Patrone’s exceptional gameplay drew comparisons to legendary sports duo Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The momentum swung in Sentinels’ favor as they secured a convincing 13-4 victory on Split, with a standout performance from Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro who achieved a remarkable 1.60 rating.
However, LOUD showcased resilience on their pick of Icebox, leading to a tense back-and-forth battle that ultimately ended in overtime, where LOUD managed to tie the match 1-1.
In a thrilling deciding map on Sunset, Sentinels faced initial setbacks but staged an impressive comeback, clinching a 14-12 victory in overtime with clutch plays from Tenz and johnqt.
With this win, Sentinels advances to the upper-bracket final to face Gen.G, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown between the tournament’s top controllers, Tenz and Kim “Karon” Won-tae.
Meanwhile, LOUD faces Paper Rex in an elimination match, where the stakes are high for both teams.
In another matchup, Gen.G secured a decisive 2-0 (13-8, 13-9) victory against Paper Rex, securing a top-three placement at VCT Masters Madrid.
GEN.G ESPORTS ADVANCES TO THE UPPER BRACKET FINALS! #VALORANTMasters #GenGWIN pic.twitter.com/G0wP89hn6k
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) March 21, 2024
Gen.G’s impressive eight-game win streak continues, positioning them as strong contenders for the tournament title.
Gen.G showcased dominance on Split, maintaining their winning strategy with a double-duellist, double-controller composition.
Kim “Lakia” Jong-min’s standout performance with Skye played a pivotal role in Gen.G’s success.
Moving on to the map Lotus, Gen.G maintained their momentum with a strong start, eventually closing out the map with a 13-9 victory.
Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom attributed their success to meticulous pre-game preparation and a resilient team attitude in the face of pressure.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on Sentinels and Gen.G as they continue their quest for the championship title, while other teams like LOUD and Paper Rex fight to stay in the competition.
Friday’s VCT Masters Madrid series
- Gen.G ($2.10) vs Sentinels ($1.66) @ 4pm CET
- LOUD ($1.57) vs Paper Rex ($2.25) @ 7pm CET
LOUD, coming off a disappointing loss to Gen.G, faced off against China’s FunPlus Phoenix.
Despite a shaky start, LOUD managed to secure a convincing 2-0 victory, dominating their map pick of Sunset with a 13-5 score line.
Despite FPX’s unconventional compositions, LOUD’s aggressive defensive pressure and superior utility usage proved too much for their opponents.
Matias “Saadhak” Delipetro’s exceptional performance stood out, leading LOUD to victory with impeccable gameplay.
LOUD LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY AT #VALORANTMasters MADRID! #goLOUD pic.twitter.com/FUKRaG6QZR
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) March 17, 2024
The second map, Breeze, presented a tougher challenge for LOUD as FPX fought back fiercely, led by Kale “autumn” Dunne’s standout performance on Yoru.
However, LOUD’s depth and adaptability ultimately secured them a hard-fought 13-11 victory, with saadhak once again shining as a key player.
In the second match of the VCT Masters Madrid, Paper Rex clashed with Team Heretics in a tense battle that went down to the wire.
Despite initial struggles, Paper Rex managed to clinch a 2-1 victory, displaying their trademark scrappiness and individual playmaking.
On their map pick of Sunset, Paper Rex showcased resilience and key individual plays, particularly from Cahya “Monyet” Nugraha, whose clutch plays turned the tide in their favour.
Despite a valiant effort from Heretics, Paper Rex’s strong defensive performance secured them a 13-10 win.
PAPER REX IS MOVING ON AT #VALORANTMasters MADRID! #WGAMING pic.twitter.com/GS8R9cqvg7
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) March 17, 2024
However, Heretics fought back strongly on Lotus, led by Dominykas “MiniBoo” Luka?evi?ius’ impressive performance with Neon.
Despite Paper Rex’s relentless aggression, Heretics maintained composure and teamwork to secure a 13-10 victory.
The decider map, Split, witnessed a dominant performance from Paper Rex, as they overcame an early setback to secure a convincing 13-7 victory.
Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto’s adaptability and leadership shone through, leading Paper Rex to victory with a remarkable +10 differential on Raze.
In post-match interviews, both teams expressed confidence and determination moving forward.
Paper Rex’s coach, Alexandre “alecks” Sallé, highlighted their strategic adjustments and agent flexibility, while f0rsaken joked about his willingness to play unconventional agents in future matches.
Looking ahead, Paper Rex faces off against Karmine Corp in the next round of the Swiss format, aiming to secure a spot in the playoffs.
LOUD will face EDward Gaming, with both teams attempting to stave off elimination and progress to the playoffs.
Monday’s VCT Masters Madrid matches
- LOUD ($1.68) vs EDward Gaming ($2.05) @ 4pm CEST
- Karmine Corp ($1.72) vs Paper Rex ($2.00) @ 7pm CEST
The Korean squad, bolstered by new additions Kim “t3xture” Na-ra, Kim “Lakia” Jong-min, Byeon “Munchkin” Byeong Sang-beom, and rookie sensation Kim “Karon” Won-tae, displayed unparalleled skill and teamwork throughout the tournament.
The Golden Waves are on top of the Pacific!@geng_gold wins the #VCTPacific Kickoff
pic.twitter.com/Dh44yblVJ1
— VCT Pacific (@vctpacific) February 25, 2024
Karon, in particular, showcased his prowess as the team’s controller main, earning himself the title of tournament MVP with a stellar performance in the grand finals.
His remarkable 64/43/25 KDA and an average combat score of 214 were instrumental in securing Gen.G’s triumph.
The journey to the top was not without its challenges.
After initially falling short against Paper Rex in the group stage, Gen.G rallied through the play-ins, overcoming formidable opponents like Team Secret and ZETA Division.
In the playoffs, they stunned the competition with a monumental upset over Korean powerhouse DRX, paving their path to the grand final and earning a coveted spot at VCT Masters Madrid.
Throughout the grand finals, Gen.G showcased exceptional strategy and adaptability.
On Ascent, they dominated with precise execution and aggressive play, showcasing t3xture’s sharp aim and Karon’s anchoring skills.
Despite a setback on Split, where Paper Rex demonstrated their prowess, Gen.G bounced back on Lotus with standout performances from t3xture and Munchkin, clinching a hard-fought victory.
The final map, Bind, saw Gen.G’s strategic brilliance shine through as they outmaneuvered Paper Rex with a double controller composition, securing a decisive win and claiming the championship title.
With their triumph, Gen.G not only secured a significant cash prize but also earned three championship points towards qualification for VALORANT Champions.
Both Gen.G and Paper Rex will now represent the VCT Pacific League at the VCT Masters Madrid, solidifying their presence on the global stage.
Gen.G’s unexpected victory over Paper Rex marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 VCT Pacific season, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape of VALORANT esports.
As they set their sights on Masters Madrid, all eyes will be on Gen.G to see if they can maintain their momentum and continue their success on the international stage.
]]>The grand final of the Valorant Champions was a showdown where both teams showcased their strengths at stages of the match. Despite Paper Rex having a two map advantage due, to arriving from the bracket it proved insufficient to deter Evil Geniuses.
The latter triumphed on Valorant maps Split, Bind and Lotus maps ultimately sealing their victory.
Evil Geniuses wasted no time in acknowledging the performance of their opponents, after securing their $1 million USD prize for winning the tournament.
“pprxteam you played so well and made both series bangers. You were the best opponent we could’ve had in the Finals,” they wrote on social media website X, which was formerly known as Twitter.
EG also showed appreciation for star player Wang “Jinggg” Jing Jie, who will be taking a break from play during the 2024 Valorant season after being called up for National Service in home country Singapores.
“@Jingggxd you are an absolute legend of the game and we wish you the best!” they wrote. ]
The first two maps of the Valorant Champions final were contested battles, with EG taking the opening spoils with a score of 13-10.
Paper Rex turned things around and won the next map with a score of 13-11.
This 1-1 result after two maps, turned the of five final into a best of three showdown.
EG then dominated on Bind winning with a score of 13-5 and shifting the momentum in their favour.
The focus then shifted to Lotus, which ultimately became the deciding battleground.
EG secured a 13-10 victory earning them the championship crown.
Evil Genius had quite a journey to reach the Valorant Champions final.
Despite a performance, in the group stage where they had 2-0 victories against FunPlus, Phoenix and FUT Esports they faced challenges in the playoffs.
They first defeated EDward Gaming with a scoreline of 2-1.
They then triumphed over DRX with a 2-0 win setting up their initial match against Paper Rex.
The upper bracket clash ended in a loss, for EG with a map that went into overtime, a clear indication of how closely matched these teams were.
Next EG emerged as the winners, by a margin of 3-2 against the reigning champions, Loud.
This victory paved the way for a anticipated rematch in the grand final.
Paper Rex also showcased their dominance by securing the position in their group. They achieved 2-0 victories against KRü Esports and EDward Gaming.
In the playoffs round they continued their winning streak with another 2-0 triumph over FUT Esports.
They then defeated Loud with a score of 2-1 setting up a clash with EG in the bracket final.
EGs triumph over Paper Rex crowned them as the Valorant World Champion and earned them a pay packet of $1 million.
Paper Rex earned $400,000 for their effort, while while last years titleholders, Loud claimed $250,000 for finishing in third place.
Fnatic, who were hot favourites with esports betting sites pre-tournament, fell short this time and had to settlef or $130,000 for finishing fourth.
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PAPER REX vs EVIL GENIUSES VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | PR $1.80 at GG Bet | EG $1.94 at GG Bet |
| When: | August 24, 2023 | 12:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
?Paper Rex have been phenomenal so far this tournament, and they have yet to play a bad game. Paper Rex cruised through the group stage with wins against KRU Esports (2-0) and EDward Gaming (2-0), then humiliated FUT Esports (13-10, 13-4) in the quarterfinals and defeated the defending Valorant world champions LOUD (2-1) in the semis.
Against LOUD, Paper Rex had to dig deeper to come out ahead. They got crushed on Split (2-13) and needed overtime on Lotus (15-13). But overall, Khalish “d4v41” Rusyaidee and co. have yet to give us a reason to doubt them.
Evil Geniuses have looked just as good on their road to the Valorant Champions 2023 upper-bracket finals, but they also had to play weaker teams. They’ve so far beaten FunPlus Phoenix (2-0), FUT Esports (2-0), EDward Gaming (1-2), and DRX (0-2).
The teams share the same map pool, and talent-wise, they look equal. We have to take into account that EG’s Max “Demon1” Mazanov (1.31) and Ethan “Ethan” Arnold (1.20) are two of the best-performing players in the tournament. However, Evil Geniuses had an easier schedule, and as a unit, they’re not as cohesive as Paper Rex.
Paper Rex will likely edge out a win, but this should be a close game that goes the distance.
Over 2.5 total maps
FNATIC vs LOUD VCT BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | Fnatic $1.57 at GG Bet | LOUD $2.25 at GG Bet |
| When: | August 24, 2023 | 15:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/VALORANT) |
Fnatic and LOUD will clash in the Valorant Champions 2023 lower-bracket semifinal. It’ll mark a rematch from the upper-bracket quarterfinals, where LOUD won 2-0. However, despite beating Fnatic last week, LOUD enter this match as underdogs.
This isn’t too surprising, considering LOUD’s 2-0 sweep of Fnatic is widely considered a huge fluke, and it likely was. Fnatic are by far the best-performing and most consistent Valorant esports team in the world, whereas LOUD tend to be more streaky. They’ll have their moments, but LOUD haven’t looked too amazing this season or at Valorant Champions 2023.
They barely made it through the group stage, and after upsetting Fnatic, LOUD lost against Paper Rex. In their defence, Paper Rex are powerful, and LOUD still played a fairly close series against the VCT Pacific League representatives.
Even though LOUD defeated Fnatic last time, it’s tough to believe they can do it again. Still, LOUD are no pushovers and should be able to cause Fnatic some problems again.