It was the final day of the group stage of Valorant Champions 2022. We’ve witnessed jam-packed action even before making it to the playoffs. With just two seeds left in the upper-bracket quarterfinals, who were the final two teams to make it? Let’s find out!
Final Day of Valorant Champions 2022
The final day decided the destiny of two teams that’d be joining the playoffs of Champions 2022. The stage was set for KRU taking on FunPlus Phoenix and 100 Thieves going up against Fnatic. Both teams were pretty neck and neck on paper and it was tough to pick a winner. But eventually, we had our winners with the course of time.
KRU vs FunPlus Phoenix
KRU vs FunPlus Phoenix was the first group stage match of the final day. The two teams met last week as well where FPX picked up the series 2-0.
Rosters
KRU
- Nicolas “Klaus” Ferrari (IGL)
- Roberto “Mazino” Rivas
- Juan “NagZ” Pablo Lopez
- Joaquin “delz1k” Espinoza
- Angelo “keznit” Mori
FunPlus Phoenix
- Kyrylo “AGNE1” Karasov
- Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky
- Pontus “Zyppan” Eek
- Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin
- Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks
Map Picks
- KRU ban Fracture
- FPX ban Breeze
- KRU pick Icebox
- FPX pick Ascent
- KRU ban Haven
- FPX ban Pearl
- Bind remains
The Series
Map 1 (Icebox)
KRU’s pick started off with pistol round wins for FPX. KRU responded by winning the bonus round but FPX picked up pace again. The first half ended pretty much evenly with scoreline reading 7-5 in favor of FunPlus. KRU executed what they had hoped for by winning the pistol rounds in the second half. The scoreline was even 7-7 at that point. The game could’ve been anyone’s but the team of FPX showed up winning the first map 13-9. It was a commendable team effort for FunPlus Phoenix as four players ended with a ACS of above 220.
MAP POINT! @FPX_Esports | #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/MtDFm4NwvN
— VALORANT Champions Tour ๐น๐ท (@ValorantEsports) September 8, 2022
Map 2 (Ascent)
On the 2nd map, it was FPX again who won the pistol rounds. They kept up the momentum by winning the next three rounds as well. They ended the first half of their map pick going up 9-3. Was a 9-3 curse loading? Not at all. FPX made sure they continued to dominate as they picked up a few more rounds with ease in defense. They picked up the second map as well as the series ending Ascent with a whopping score of 13-4. An ace by ardiis in the final round surely was the cherry on the top for FPX.
100 Thieves vs Fnatic
This was the final match of the final day of group stage at Valorant Champions 2022. The Thieves picked up a 2-1 win over Fnatic just a week ago.
Rosters
100 Thieves
- Brenden “stellar” McGrath (IGL)
- Peter “Asuna” Mazuryk
- Derrek “Derrek” Ha
- William “Will” Cheng
- Sean “bang” Bezerra
Fnatic
- Jake “Boaster” Howlett (IGL)
- James “Mistic” Orfila
- Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev
- Enzo “Enzo” Mestari
- Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder
Map Picks
- FNC ban Haven
- 100T ban Icebox
- FNC pick Bind
- 100T pick Ascent
- FNC ban Breeze
- 100T ban Fracture
- Pearl remains
The Series
Map 1 (Bind)
Picked by Fnatic, Bind was the first map where the two teams met. With Fnatic on attack, the start couldn’t have been any better for the European side. The entire roster looked polished but it seemed to have been a walk at the park for Alfajer and Derke. They ended the first half up by 10-2. They started the second half winning the two pistol rounds as well. The Thieves showed some resistance though by winning three rounds straight but their efforts were in vain. Fnatic picked up round 18 and sealed Bind with a comfortable 13-4 scoreline.
.@FNATIC is NOT messing around ๐
๐บ https://t.co/io2c23u0BL | #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/cSGRU8bsgo
— VALORANT Champions Tour ๐น๐ท (@ValorantEsports) September 8, 2022
Map 2 (Ascent)
Ascent was the first map pick for 100 Thieves. The boys from NA won the pistol rounds of the first half. Fnatic, as expected, were quick to respond winning the next two rounds. The EU team got their momentum and ended the first half winning 8-4. In the second half, it was Fnatic who picked up the bonus as well as the pistol rounds. 100 Thieves responded well, putting in a solid effort and winning three rounds to try and turn the match around in their favor. But Fnatic showed their grit and won the series picking up Ascent 13-7.
2-0 vs @100Thieves and on to PLAYOFFS with the crowd !!
Lets goooo #ALWAYSFNATIC #VALORANTChampions— FNATIC Enzo (@FearothVAL) September 8, 2022
Playoff Teams
All of the teams that are joining us at the playoffs are:
- DRX
- FunPlus Phoenix
- Leviatan
- LOUD
- Optic Gaming
- Team Liquid
- XSET
- Fnatic
The playoffs will begin today with Leviatan facing LOUD at first and DRX vs FunPlus Phoenix taking place later.
The Playoffs Stage begins tomorrow!
Get ready for Day 9 of #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/dtBjnWPdnr
— VALORANT Champions Tour ๐น๐ท (@ValorantEsports) September 8, 2022
Who have you picked as your winners from the first day of playoffs? We know our picks! Check out our day 1 picks of who is making it to the upper bracket semi-finals.