The intensity at VALORANT Champions 2025 in Paris has reached a fever pitch, with the Upper Bracket Semifinals delivering two of the most captivating series the competitive scene has witnessed. As the dust settled, Fnatic and NRG emerged victorious, securing their coveted spots in the Upper Bracket Final. Their paths were anything but straightforward, marked by resilience, record-breaking individual performances, and comebacks that defied the odds.
Fnatic`s Audacious Ascent: Defying the Stand-in Scrutiny
Before their clash against the formidable VCT Pacific Stage 2 champions, Paper Rex, whispers circulated throughout the esports community. Fnatic, an EMEA powerhouse, was forced to field a last-minute stand-in, Domagoj ‘Doma’ Fancev, due to star sentinel Emir ‘Alfajer’ Beder`s health complications. Many pundits braced for a significant disadvantage, perhaps even an early exit for the European hopefuls. What unfolded, however, was a testament to teamwork, adaptability, and sheer mental fortitude.
The series kicked off on Paper Rex’s map pick, Bind. Despite Fnatic`s strong defensive showing in the first half, where they recovered from an 0-4 deficit to lead 7-5, Paper Rex ultimately secured a 13-10 victory. Their strategic aggression and Khalish ‘d4v41’ Rusyaidee`s punishing flanks proved too much for Fnatic’s often passive attack defaults. It seemed the expected narrative was beginning to unfold.
However, Fnatic had other plans. On Haven, they showcased a clinical performance. After winning a crucial second-round thrifty, Kajetan ‘kaajak’ Haremski unleashed a killing spree on Yoru, setting the tone for an 8-5 first-half lead. Crucially, in-game leader (IGL) Jake ‘Boaster’ Howlett demonstrated tactical genius, expertly exploiting Paper Rex`s limited information-gathering utility. This forced PRX into unfavorable retakes against Fnatic`s strong post-plant Viper compositions, a strategy popularized by their Pacific counterparts, Gen.G. Fnatic closed out Haven with a dominant 13-4 scoreline, evening the series.
The decider, Lotus, delivered a narrative twist worthy of a championship stage. Fnatic started strong with an attack pistol win, but then suffered a brutal nine-round losing streak, heading into halftime with a daunting 3-9 deficit. The esports world watched, perhaps with a touch of resignation, anticipating Paper Rex to close it out. Yet, Fnatic orchestrated one of the most remarkable comebacks in VALORANT Champions history. They claimed the second-half pistol and bonus rounds, then systematically dismantled PRX’s offense, winning twelve consecutive rounds to snatch Lotus 13-9. Doma, the stand-in, played a pivotal role in holding the C-site, proving that even under immense pressure, Fnatic`s collective spirit could bend reality. They defied the stand-in curse and booked their ticket to the Upper Bracket Final.
NRG vs. MIBR: A Marathon of Mayhem and a New Record
The second Upper Bracket Semifinal featured an electrifying VCT Americas derby between NRG and MIBR. This series was a test of endurance, featuring two overtime maps and an individual performance for the history books. Despite MIBR’s star duelist Erick ‘aspas’ Santos delivering a record-breaking display, NRG ultimately prevailed 2-1.
Abyss, MIBR’s map pick, was a back-and-forth slugfest. NRG started strong, but aspas, on his signature agent Jett, ignited MIBR`s offense, leaving the scores tied 6-6 at halftime. The second half saw constant trades, culminating in a tense overtime. NRG’s IGL Ethan ‘Ethan’ Arnold and rookie duelist Adam ‘mada’ Pampuch stepped up with crucial hero plays, securing the map 16-14 in a thrilling finish.
On Haven, MIBR delivered a masterclass in utilizing the Viper/Omen composition, mirroring the successful strategies of Gen.G. NRG`s IGL Ethan, known for his fast set strategies, found his mid-round calls heavily challenged. MIBR’s methodical defense and efficient site holds, often with Killjoy’s turret autonomously securing areas, led to a dominant 10-2 first half and a swift 13-4 map win, leveling the series.
The decider, Corrode, proved to be another grueling battle of wills. Both teams, running solo-Waylay compositions, demonstrated strong attack sides. MIBR initially controlled the pace, securing five attack rounds on the typically defense-favored map, thanks to aspas`s relentless pressure. However, a pivotal thrifty round win by NRG in the second half dramatically shifted the momentum. As NRG delivered convincing site executes, MIBR’s rookies appeared to buckle under the escalating pressure.
In a final desperate attempt, MIBR’s IGL Andrew ‘Verno’ Maust made impactful plays, including a Sova ultimate to halt NRG`s streak and denying a last-minute plant to force overtime. Aspas, still relentlessly fragging, even secured an overtime ACE. Yet, these heroic efforts were not enough to deter NRG’s unwavering resilience, who closed out Corrode 16-14, sealing their place in the Upper Bracket Final.
Aspas`s performance throughout the series was truly phenomenal. With a staggering kill-death-assist (KDA) of 80/42/6 across three maps, he shattered the record for the most kills ever recorded at a VCT global event. A bittersweet personal triumph overshadowed by his team`s heartbreaking loss, but an indelible mark on VALORANT history nonetheless.
The Road Ahead: Upper Bracket Glory and Lower Bracket Redemption
With these epic semifinals concluded, Fnatic and NRG are now set to face each other in the highly anticipated Upper Bracket Final on October 3rd at Paris’ Accor Arena. This clash promises to be a spectacle, pitting two teams that have showcased incredible resilience and tactical depth against one another.
Meanwhile, Paper Rex and MIBR find themselves relegated to the treacherous Lower Bracket, where every match is an elimination battle. Tomorrow`s schedule will see Paper Rex take on EMEA’s Team Heretics, followed by MIBR battling Pacific’s DRX. For these teams, the dream of hoisting the VALORANT Champions trophy is still alive, but the path is now significantly steeper, demanding flawless execution and unwavering resolve. The pursuit of glory in Paris continues, promising more nail-biting encounters as the best of VALORANT clash for supremacy.
