The Indian franchise team, Global Esports’ Valorant roster performed at an S-Tier tournament for the first time. The SEA representatives faced Team Vitality in a round of 32 match of Group Omega. How did the Asian team perform and did they meet the expectations? Find out!
Global Esports vs Team Vitality
It was an Asia vs Europe affair as the Valorant roster of Global Esports faced Team Vitality. This was the first match of Global Esports at a tournament of this scale. On the other hand, Vitality is an organization that is well accustomed to playing top tournaments. Both the teams have fresh rosters with new recruits, so it was surely exciting to see the two teams clash.
.@GlobalEsportsIn is here! #VCTLOCKIN pic.twitter.com/rTFis62qGK
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 23, 2023
Map Picks & Bans
- GE bans Ascent
- VIT bans Icebox
- GE picks Split
- VIT picks Pearl
- GE bans Haven
- VIT bans Fracture
- Lotus remains
Rosters
Let’s take a look at the lineups of the two teams of last night.
Global Esports
- Jordan “AYRIN” He (IGL)
- Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar
- Kim “t3xture” Na-ra
- Park “Bazzi” Jun-ki
- Cahya “Monyet” Nugraha
Team Vitality
- Santeri “BONECOLD” Sassi (IGL)
- Jokūbas “ceNder” Labutis
- Michał “MOLSI” Łącki
- Tomas “Destrian” Linikas
- Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener
The Series
Let’s check out how the series went between Team Vitality and Global Esports at Valorant Lock In.
Map 1 (Split)
The first map of the series started with Global Esports on defense. They won the first round with a successful defuse. But Vitality didn’t seem to be bothered as they picked up the next four rounds with ease. Global Esports showed little resistance picking up only two other rounds for the rest of the first half. The first half ended 9-3 in favor of Team Vitality. Global started the second half winning the first pistol round too- a ray of hope for the Asian fans. But Vitality buried all of those hopes and dreams for Global Esports as they didn’t take long to reach 13 round wins. The first map ended 13-4 in favor of Team Vitality.
2 more rounds needed! @TeamVitality #VCTLOCKIN pic.twitter.com/0EJ81qIJ2o
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 23, 2023
Map 2 (Pearl)
Pearl began with Global Esports now on attack. This time, they managed to pick up the first two pistol rounds showing quite the determination. Vitality then responded picking up two rounds of their own as the scores leveled. Vitality started to pick up pace on defense and the first half ended 7-5 in favor of the boys from Europe. The second half started in favor of Global Esports yet again as they again won both the pistol rounds. From that point onwards, Global Esports looked like a more refined roster as they kept dominating Team Vitality. They got down a bunch of defuses in the second half as they picked up the second map.
.@skrossigg CLUTCHES THE ROUND! #VCTLOCKIN pic.twitter.com/Gqaq6A5lPe
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 23, 2023
With the map score being 1-1, it was now time for the decider. Can the Indian organization cause a Global upset (see what we did there?) or can Vitality pick up the expected result?
Map 3 (Lotus)
Global Esports just seemed to be dominated pistol rounds as they started off Lotus winning the first two rounds yet again. But Vitality responded when it was needed the most. They showed everyone who’s the boss with sheer firepower picking up round after round in the first half. The first half ended 8-4 in favor of Vitality. The second half started with Global yet again picking up the pistol rounds. And while they were hoping to gain some momentum, Team Vitality turned the game around again. They took the next four rounds without pause as they closed the decider map 13-6.
.@TeamVitality reaches 10! #VCTLOCKIN pic.twitter.com/brhK4l09u5
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 23, 2023
With the series closed, Team Vitality moves onto the round of 16 of VCT Lock In.
Three more advance in the Omega bracket! #VCTLOCKIN pic.twitter.com/XcBCkMwLqb
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) February 24, 2023
With their win in this series, Vitality aren’t the only victors of the night. Their next round opponent, Leviathan also picked up a 2-0 win over ZETA. The round of 16 also welcomes two other teams- FUT Esports and 100 Thieves. Team Vitality will be facing Leviathan tomorrow night in the round of 16.