Team Vitality and 100 Thieves secured victories in their second group stage matches (in Groups A and B, respectively) and successfully qualified for the VALORANT Champions playoffs. Both teams advanced undefeated, joining Paper Rex and NRG, who secured their spots in the top eight yesterday.
Team Vitality (EMEA's fourth seed) earned their playoff ticket in a fierce battle against LOUD. After a confident victory on the first map, Ascent, the series moved to Summit, which hosted the most closely contested match of the tournament so far. Neither team was willing to back down, forcing the game into a prolonged overtime where Vitality ultimately snatched a 19-17 victory.
LOUD relied heavily on individual plays from Lucca "lukxo" Travaioli and Enzo "tkzin" Zimiani, but Vitality's balanced team play proved superior. All players on the European squad made an equal contribution: four members finished the series with 42 kills, while Elias "Jamppi" Olkkonen secured 43.
In the second match of the day, 100 Thieves (the Americas' first seed) confidently defeated FUT Esports. Despite prolonged technical pauses at the start of the game that disrupted the overall pacing, the American squad dominated the first map. The primary driving force for the team was Timothée "Timotino" Lavigne Dupont on Neon, who left the opponents with no room to maneuver.
On Lotus, FUT Esports (EMEA's third seed) put up significantly more resistance and dominated the first half. However, 100 Thieves managed to seize the initiative, complete a comeback, and close out the match with a 13-10 score. FUT lacked their usual ability to create advantages through individual plays against their opponents' disciplined defense.
Despite the defeats, LOUD and FUT Esports still have a chance to reach the playoffs in their upcoming matches. Their opponents will be determined soon:
- LOUD will face the winner of Global Esports vs. EDward Gaming.
- FUT Esports will play against the winner of JD Gaming vs. T1.
Thursday will also mark the start of the elimination matches for the teams that lost during the first week of the tournament: TYLOO will play against Team Liquid, while Xi Lai Gaming will take on Nongshim RedForce.
As a Reminder, Paper Rex and NRG Become the First Playoff Qualifiers at VALORANT Champions Shanghai