The Group C decider matches at VALORANT Champions 2025 brought mixed results for EMEA teams. Team Liquid was knocked out, while GIANTX made it to the playoffs. Team Liquid faced DRX in a Group C rematch and lost 0-2, making them the only EMEA team to miss the playoffs. 

On Corrode, Liquid took a bold risk. In-game leader Ayaz ‘nAts�?Akhmetshin played duelist for the first time in five years. They held a 6-6 attack half but fell short as DRX won the second half, taking the map 13-8. On Abyss, DRX and Liquid split the first half 6-6. DRX then used smart fakes and set plays to pull ahead, winning 13-7. Flashback led the team with a 40/26/5 KDA and 180 ADR.

Meanwhile, GIANTX beat VCT China’s XLG Esports to advance to the playoffs, keeping EMEA hopes alive.

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Fans from the EMEA region were thrilled and excited at the VALORANT Champions 2025, as both Fnatic and Team Heretics advanced to the Playoffs after winning their respective group matches. With these wins, Team Heretics and Fnatic now join Paper Rex and NRG as the first four teams confirmed for the Playoffs.

Team Heretics dominate T1

Team Heretics kept their strong run going with a 2-0 victory over Pacific’s T1. The first map, Lotus, started well for T1, but Heretics quickly took control by slowing down their opponents and shutting down attacks with solid defensive plays. They ended the map 13-10, with Enes ‘RieNs�?Ecirli sealing the win with a clutch finish. Mert ‘Wo0t�?Alkan also impressed the fans with his elite performance.

In the second map, Sunset, T1 looked sharper at the start, but their readable attacks allowed Heretics to adapt and take the upper hand. Even with intense moments from Kim ‘Meteor�?Tae-oh, T1 could not keep up, and Heretics closed out the map 13-11 to secure the series.

Fnatic stage a comeback against MIBR

Even though Team Heretics faced a rather manageable win, Fnatic faced a tougher fight in their matchup against MIBR. The Brazilian team dominated the first map, Bind, winning 13-5 after controlling the game's pace and catching Fnatic off guard.

However, Fnatic bounced back on the second map, Abyss. Led by captain Jake “Boaster�?Howlett, Fnatic’s attack was nearly perfect. Their strong executes and Boaster’s Operator plays allowed them to close out Abyss 13-7 and level the series.

Everything came down to the final map, Haven. Fnatic built a strong lead early on thanks to smart defensive setups that limited MIBR’s options. While MIBR tried to rally in the second half, Fnatic’s Timofey ‘Chronicle�?Khromov delivered a key clutch play to secure a 13-10 victory.

What’s next for T1 and MIBR

Despite their losses, T1 and MIBR are still in the tournament but must win their deciding matches on September 22 to advance. T1 will face either G2 Esports or Dragon Ranger Gaming, while MIBR will go up against the winner of Bilibili Gaming versus RRQ.

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