VCT EMEA Challengers Stage 1 Main Event - Week 1 Group A Recap

The 2022 VCT Circuit began a couple of days ago and the first week of VCT 2022 - EMEA - Stage 1 - Challengers - Main Event has come to an end. The CIS representatives, M3 Champions, FunPlus Phoenix, and Natus Vincere started their journey with dominance, winning their first matches.

Gambit Esports vs Team Liquid

Gambit had a superb performance on the attackers’ side which led them to a fairly easy victory on their own pick, Icebox. Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov stepped up for his team with a 20-kill Viper performance. The Russian player had so many clutch moves throughout the game to win the first map for his team. Dom "soulcas" Sulcas did everything he could but it wasn’t enough.

The second map was Team Liquid’s pick, Breeze. Just like the first map, Chronicle and soulcas had a duel but this time the Russian player was far ahead with Chamber in his hands. Chronicle ended the game with a 1.81 rating, 347 ACS and a 2.33 K/D to close out the series. TL looked lost even though it was their map pick.

BIG vs FunPlus Phoenix

The German team made a confident start to the game on Bind, winning it with a score of 13-7. BIG’s legendary ex Counter Strike player, Fatih "gob b" Dayik lifted all the weight and carried his team to glory. Pontus "Zyppan" Eek’s 19-kill Raze wasn’t enough for the CIS side.

FunPlus Phoenix bounced back with an important Haven win to force the third game. Ardis "ardiis" Svarenieks popped off with Jett in his hands, ending the game with a 1.83 rating, 350 ACS and a 1.93 K/D. The Latvian player played his heart out to keep his team in the competition.

The third game was a total blood bath as both teams wanted to win so badly. The competition was head-to-head until the very end. BIG’s Karel "Twisten" Ašenbrener had an impressive Sypher performance but in the end, it was FPX taking home the victory. After a close 13-11 Split game, the CIS representatives upset their opponents.

Natus Vincere vs LDN Utd

Natus Vincere picked Ascent to start the series strongly, proving it by going 11-1 on the attacking side. LDN Utd tried to catch up with their opponents by winning consecutive rounds but the streak didn’t last long. Na’Vi won the opening map with a score of 13-7 to have the advantage in the series. Denis "dinkzj" Tkachev stepped up with his Killjoy, securing 17 kills with a 1.42 K/D.

LDN Utd had a different showing rather than their VCT 2022 - Europe - Stage 1 - Closed Qualifier 2 performance. The European team failed to impress their fans with their own pick, Haven. Despite having a decent start to the game, LDN lost nine rounds and only won one while on the defending side. Michał "MOLSI" Łącki did his best and held a 1.32 rating but it was Natus Vincere taking home the victory.

The second week action of the group stage will start on February 18. You can find more information on the events page.