Team Heretic’s hopes of reaching the VALORANT Champs are hanging precariously by a thread, despite being one of the favorites in a highly contested VCT EMEA.
The final four matches of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA Stage 2 promise to keep us on the edge of our seats. Followers of the EWC 2025 champions, Team Heretics, will find themselves nervously gnawing their nails during Finals Weekend, hoping Team Liquid can reach the Grand Final, and in turn, send them to Paris.
We didn’t get to see the Fnatic vs. Team Heretics revenge match, since BBL Esports spoiled Fnatic’s first day at the Playoffs with a 2-1 reverse sweep, and then smacked Team Heretics down to the lower bracket with a convincing 2-0 victory.
Team Heretics will be cheering on rivals Liquid Image Credit: Riot Games
While Fnatic and Liquid are both safe with enough points earned to secure tickets to Champions Paris, the final two spots are up for grabs at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Team Heretics’ fate is in the hands of Team Liquid
Team Liquid has two chances to make it to the Grand Final of VCT EMEA Stage 2, but if they don’t, Team Heretics won’t be going to Paris. It’s a rough spot to be in for Team Heretics. Let’s break down how things could play out.
There are four teams in contention for the final two spots at Champions Paris, namely: Team Heretics, BBL Esports, GIANTX, and NAVI.
NAVI dealt a hammer blow to the hopes of Team Heretics. Image Credit: Riot Games
Team Heretics was eliminated from the tournament in the Lower Bracket Quarterfinal match by NAVI. They sit currently 3rd on the VCT EMEA points leaderboard. For reference, here’s the VCT EMEA standings and team points ahead of the Finals Weekend:
- Fnatic (18)
- Team Liquid (16)
- Team Heretics (14)
- BBL Esports (12)
- NAVI (9)
- Team Vitality (8)
- GIANTX (7)
- FUT Esports (6)
- Karmine Corp (5)
- KOI (2)
- Gentle Mates (1)
Apeks (0)
There’s no way for anyone to overtake Fnatic or Team Liquid in terms of VCT points. Fnatic and Heretics are out of the competition, meaning they can no longer earn more points.
GIANTX, BBL Esports, and NAVI can only qualify for Champions Paris by making it to the Stage 2 Grand Final, as the top two teams are guaranteed trips to France.
So what precisely does this mean for Team Heretics?
While it might seem a bit complicated at first glance, it all boils down to this: If Team Liquid doesn’t make it to the Grand Final of VCT EMEA Stage 2, then Team Heretics will miss out on Champions Paris.
This scenario requires BBL Esports to beat Team Liquid in the Upper Bracket Final, and thereby secure a top-two finish. The winner of NAVI vs. GIANTX will then have to eliminate Team Liquid in the Lower Bracket Final, thereby guaranteeing themselves a spot at the Champions Paris regardless of their points.
In this scenario, the two finalists will be the #1 and #2 seeds in the EMEA region due to their Grand Final appearance, which will push Fnatic and Team Liquid down to #3 and #4 seeds, and Team Heretics to #5, shutting them out of Champions Paris in the process.
The VCT EMEA Stage 2 finals weekend is scheduled to run from August 29 to 31, with Lower Bracket Semifinal, Upper Bracket Final, Lower Bracket Final, and Grand Final matches all to be played.
Earlier, the final VCT China regional seedings for Champions Paris were confirmed, with reigning world champions EDward Gaming scraping by for a chance to defend their title.