After simply squeaking by into the VCT Americas playoffs, Evil Geniuses have begun one in every of VALORANT’s finest underdog runs of the 12 months.
First, they despatched NRG to the decrease bracket in an enormous upset on Could 23. Now, with their second playoff win over Cloud9, EG will face LOUD within the higher bracket finals, confirming their top-three end and Masters Tokyo qualification.
The Could 24 conflict seemed nice on paper, as each second-seed C9 and sixth-seed EG have confirmed pundits improper to date in 2023, every for totally completely different causes.
For C9, their roster modifications simply earlier than the common season felt like the beginning of a decline, when it turned out to be the easiest way ahead—they finally ended with an 8-1 document.
As for Evil Geniuses, after sliding to a 1-4 document early into the common season, they gained three of their subsequent 4 to only squeak into playoffs.
Associated: ‘We needed change’: How EG turned around its 2023 VCT season
Right this moment, excessive off of their upset win over NRG, the EG squad delivered one other upset. They bought the map alternative for map one, picked Fracture, and proceeded to stomp 13-5. Whereas Demon1 was their key to victory, taking part in Brimstone as a substitute of his trademark Jett, Alexander “jawgemo” Mor and his Raze felt unleashed on this collection.
EG learn every of C9’s executes, going for fast flanks and utilizing well-coordinated utility from Raze and Sova to counter every little thing C9 threw at them. The map was over shortly, resulting in Bind, which was by some means even faster. EG gained Bind 13-2, with Kelden “Boostio” Pupello main his workforce with 21 kills. Over the course of Bind, EG confirmed decisiveness, solely shedding three first-kill duels over 15 maps. As compared, C9 misplaced 12.
With this win, EG is now formally locked into taking part in two worldwide VALORANT tournaments: Masters Tokyo, and by extension, Champions 2023.
Out of all of the positives which have come out of this win for the VALORANT workforce and NA group, there’s a bittersweet feeling to it; their breakthrough player Demon1 will be unable to fly to Tokyo to compete.
EG has the roster to exchange him on paper, however he has been key of their enhancements. We’ll see if one in every of their many roster gamers can fill in his massive sneakers.
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