The Korean hope, DRX has ended the EMEA dreams as they beat Fnatic in the lower bracket of 2022 Valorant Champions Istanbul.
The biggest Valorant tournament of the year is currently underway. The best teams from around the world have gathered in Istanbul, Turkey to compete for the ultimate glory of becoming the 2022 season champion of VCT. Two weeks into the tournament, only 6 teams were left in the tournament. On the last day before the beginning of the final week, EMEA’s last representative, Fnatic, came up against DRX, the sole Korean team of the tournament.
As a lower bracket match, whoever lost the match was bound to head home. The chosen map order was; Icebox, Ascent, and Fracture. The first map started with Fnatic dominating the server. Derke, the Chamber main of Fnatic, put on a spectacular performance with a KDA of 31-10-0 helping his team to an easy victory of 13-7.
THE MAN CAME TO PLAY ON ICEBOX ???? #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/tNPhyos27m
— VALORANT Champions Tour ???????? (@ValorantEsports) September 13, 2022
The second map started just how the first map finished. Fnatic were relentless in their efforts as they kept picking up rounds. Having a lead of 8-4 in the first half, everyone was of the opinion that Boaster and co. are all set to take this home. However, DRX was far from done. With the help of repeated clutch plays from Mako, Zest, and Buzz, they were able to field a comeback and won the map 14-12.
HE GOT THEM BOTH ????@MaKoVlrt | #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/ra9IZx2Qi9
— VALORANT Champions Tour ???????? (@ValorantEsports) September 13, 2022
With the series being 1-1, It all came down to the third map, Fracture. DRX, on the back of such a comeback, made every use of their momentum and barely gave any chance to Fnatic on the final map. Rb, who had a slow start to the series, turned up on this map as he dropped a 25 bomb. In the end, DRX won the map and the match with a 13-9 victory on Fracture.
Ggwp 1-2 vs @DRX_VS
Guess it’s not my time yet???? I won’t stop until I lift a trophy AND THEN I’ll go for another!! Thank you for all the support!❤️ I’ll be back(I hope). Just grateful to be here!#VALORANTChampions #GetYourBoastees pic.twitter.com/FbzKuVF088
— FNATIC Boaster (@OfficialBoaster) September 13, 2022
With this win, DRX advance to the next round of the lower bracket. They will be facing the winner of XSET vs. FPX next week. As for Fnatic, this loss meant that the 2022 VCT season is done for them and the EMEA region. The European fans will have to wait till VCT 2023 to catch their favorite teams in action.
