Giants and NRG avoid elimination waving goodbyes to KRU Esports and ZETA Division

It has been almost a week since the start of VCT 2023 - Champions and it doesn’t get any less exciting to tune in every day to see the best teams in the world go at it against each other to earn the most prestigious title in the scene crowning themselves as the VALORANT Champions of the world. Today’s matchups consisted of the following:

• KRU Esports vs Giants
• ZETA Division vs NRG

KRU Esports VS. Giants

VCT 2023 - Champions

KRÜ Esports

0

X

2

GIANTX

Group A - Elimination Match, Best of 3 - August 11, 2023 - 7:00PM

10

Lotus

13

12

Pearl

14

KRÜ Esports

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Keznit

1.25

276

47/37/6

+10

1.27

65.1%

173.1

22%

71%

12

5

Daveeys

1.05

223

38/28/6

+10

1.36

77.3%

151.3

25%

100%

4

0

NagZet

0.72

144

23/31/17

-8

0.74

63.1%

106.1

15%

40%

2

3

Klaus

0.68

144

26/39/11

-13

0.67

64.8%

107.1

35%

25%

3

9

Melser

0.57

127

19/38/13

-19

0.50

69.4%

88.8

17%

27%

3

8

GIANTX

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

hoody

1.12

226

38/28/18

+10

1.36

74.9%

153.8

25%

38%

5

8

rhyme

1.09

192

31/30/29

+1

1.03

71.3%

122.1

34%

33%

2

4

Fit1nho

1.06

220

38/33/10

+5

1.15

75.9%

157.4

22%

57%

8

6

nukkye

1.04

215

36/32/11

+4

1.13

73.7%

149.6

21%

71%

5

2

Cloud

1.01

170

30/30/24

0

1.00

74.0%

110.6

24%

56%

5

4

With the first group of Playoff spots being dedicated to the best performers through the Group Stages, it was now time to delegate the remaining spots and wave goodbye to teams that couldn’t make the cut with the Elimination matchups. KRÜ Esports had failed to make a profound impact in the regional leagues and had found themselves in Champions Los Angeles after an unexpected run through the recently concluded Americas Last Chance Qualifiers.. After falling 0-2 to Paper Rex in the Opening match, they were provided with a second chance at qualification in this matchup, this time against GIANTX. Giants had earned a reputation as a mid-tier team during the regional leagues, earning the spotlight only after a fascinating run through the EMEA Last Chance Qualifiers where they found their way to the win without dropping a single map. Although in a slightly more contested effort, Giants, too, lost their opening matchup. With these teams seeking out redemption, this matchup had an interesting narrative and high stakes even prior to teams entering Lotus, the initial map of the matchup.

Despite Giants drawing first blood on the scoreboard, it was KRU who initially seized control of the momentum, establishing an early 7-5 lead. However, this advantage was short-lived as the tides turned when the sides switched, with Giants assuming the Offensive position and embarking on an impressive 6-round streak, fueled primarily by the exceptional performance of Adolfo "Fit1nho" Gallego. This propelled Giants to an 11-7 lead. The subsequent rounds quickly followed suit, solidifying Giants' dominance and leaving KRU's Playoff aspirations slipping through their fingers.

However, KRU did not succumb to defeat; instead, they regrouped and launched a valiant effort as they kicked off the Pearl map, making a strong bid to capitalize on the initial burst of momentum. Regrettably for them, Giants' impregnable defense stood firm, thwarting KRU's advances, resulting in a final score of 7-5 in favor of Giants. Despite the uphill battle, KRU refused to abandon hope and fought tooth and nail in the second half, even managing to force the game into Overtime. But, Fit1nho rendered their plans futile and placed the final seal on their time in Los Angeles. As the dust settled, the outcome became clear: KRU Esports would be forced to exit the tournament, while Giants earned themselves a chance at redemption in a rematch against EDward Gaming, vying for a coveted Playoff spot.

ZETA Division VS. NRG

VCT 2023 - Champions

ZETA DIVISION

0

X

2

NRG

Group C - Elimination Match, Best of 3 - August 11, 2023 - 9:45PM

13

Bind

15

1

Haven

13

ZETA DIVISION

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Dep

0.73

162

44/34/4

+10

1.29

35.7%

62.6

26%

50%

2

2

crow

0.21

60

17/31/14

-14

0.55

25.0%

28.8

17%

0%

0

2

Laz

0.16

53

25/30/8

-5

0.83

25.0%

20.5

57%

0%

0

3

ten

0.13

58

20/34/4

-14

0.59

17.9%

27.4

13%

33%

1

2

SugarZ3ro

0.13

30

20/29/9

-9

0.69

25.0%

8.9

0%

0%

0

2

NRG

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

ardiis

0.91

189

46/25/18

+21

1.84

39.3%

82.3

28%

75%

6

2

s0m

0.74

116

34/20/19

+14

1.70

42.9%

49.0

33%

100%

2

0

FNS

0.56

103

20/27/19

-7

0.74

42.9%

38.6

17%

67%

2

1

crashies

0.52

83

28/26/20

+2

1.08

39.3%

36.9

19%

0%

0

0

Victor

0.46

77

30/28/10

+2

1.07

42.9%

33.5

32%

100%

1

0

For the second matchup of the day, it was the Japanese team ZETA DIVISION facing off against NA’s infamous NRG, who faced arguably the biggest upset this tournaments at the hands of Bilibili gaming. Coming into the tournament, NRG had drawn up a list of achievements with their meticulously curated roster both in the regional league and more recently, even at Masters Tokyo earning themselves a 4th place. However, their loss against Bilibili had people doubting their choices of picking NRG as the favourites to win the event. ZETA, on the other hand, were coming off a loss at the hands of Fnatic, who are by far considered the best team in the scene for others to compare against especially after their title win in Tokyo.

While their defeat was somewhat anticipated, it was undoubtedly a disheartening sight for the team that still harbored aspirations of leaving a lasting impact on the global stage. The teams stepped onto the Bind battlefield with an unwavering determination to emerge victorious, but it was ZETA that managed to seize a firmer grip on the momentum during the initial half. However, NRG swiftly countered, restoring equilibrium and forcing the game into Overtime. The first extra round yielded no decisive outcome, but the second proved to be a harbinger of misfortune for the Japanese squad, leaving them down a map in this elimination match.

Summoning every ounce of their collective energy, they transitioned to Haven, a territory favored by NRG. The moment the teams clashed, chaos ensued. Round by round, ZETA found themselves systematically dismantled, with scant hope of mounting significant resistance. The force of momentum propelled NRG through the half, culminating in a commanding 11-1 lead. Two subsequent rounds after halftime sealed the deal in NRG's favor, effectively drawing the curtain on ZETA's journey in the Champions tournament.

Check out our VALORANT Champions event page for stats, the bracket, and schedule of the event.

Featured image photo credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games