In a display of complete dominance, Fnatic clinched the title at the Valorant Champions Tour Masters Tokyo on June 25th, 2023. They cemented their position as the first-ever back-to-back international champions, following an unbroken string of victories culminating in a commanding 3-0 win against Evil Geniuses. This achievement further solidifies the European powerhouse as the undisputed masters of pro-Valorant for 2023.
The championship battle started on the Lotus map, where Fnatic had previously demonstrated their prowess against EG. This time, they did not have as strong a start, resulting in a 6-6 tie going into halftime. However, they soon outpaced EG, allowing only two rounds in the second half and securing the first map with a decisive 13-8 victory.
Split saw the intensity ramp up. Fnatic’s Emir “Alfajer” Beder’s Cypher proved instrumental in their defenses. His ability to survey the field with his camera and his skillful hiding spots gave Fnatic critical information and kills, eventually leading them to win the map 13-11.
EG tried to bounce back on Bind by employing a seldom-seen combination of Reyna and Chamber, which initially threw Fnatic off balance. Despite EG’s promising start, Fnatic demonstrated their resilience by launching an awe-inspiring comeback from 12-7 down to force overtime. From there, the momentum was all theirs, and they swiftly secured their second title of 2023 with a nail-biting 14-12 win.
After their victory, team members opened up about the challenges they faced and their approach to securing their second title. Fnatic’s Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov stated, “It was kind of rough for us at the start of Bind, but we realized it was just like LOUD on Icebox in the last finals. We just had to focus on the comeback, focus on our attack side, and it went just as we expected. I’m happy we stayed focused.”
Leo Jannesson weighed in on the difference in practice intensity between the regions, boldly declaring, “[EMEA] just practice harder than NA.”
This resounding victory guarantees another spot for EMEA at VCT Champions and highlights Fnatic’s unassailable position atop the Valorant landscape. As the undisputed kings of Valorant, they will enter the Last Chance Qualifier starting on July 19 with a target on their backs but a confidence that’s hard to beat.
The Fnatic era in Valorant is here, and it isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Their impressive back-to-back international victories make one thing clear: Fnatic is the team to beat in pro-Valorant.
