Fnatic is the VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo champion after the European squad took down the local team and fan favorite LOUD.
Fnatic is taking home the first Valorant international title of the year. The series went the distance and finished with a 3-2 victory for Fnatic over LOUD who put up a fight until the last round.
Fnatic made it to the finals without dropping a single map. Fnatic started its VCT LOCK//IN in the round of 32 against Sentinels. Fnatic advanced to face FURIA Esports, another Brazilian organization and would end up taking another clean victory.
In the quarterfinals, there was nothing that 100 Thieves could do against Fnatic. In the semifinals, Natus Vincere had similar luck.
The grand final started, looking like it would be another clean sweep by Fnatic. The European squad started the series with two wins. But the tables turned when LOUD stood its ground and took the next two games.
It was the first time in the tournament that Fnatic had to play a decider match. LOUD, on the other hand, came into the fifth and final game with a clean record when it came to deciders.
LOUD led the game for 11 rounds, and then it was time for Fnatic to go all in, stopping the reverse sweep. Fnatic became the VCT LOCK/IN Sao Paulo champion, leaving the local fans disappointed. Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov became the first player to win two championship titles. The first title was the VCT 2021 Stage 3 Masters in Berlin, Germany.
When is the next VCT?
Valorant fans will have to wait until the summer for the next international event. VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo is scheduled for next June.
Until then, fans can enjoy the International Leagues. The Americas League starts on March 26, featuring 100 Thieves, Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, FURIA Esports, KRU Esports, Leviatan, LOUD, MIBR, NRG, and Sentinels.
The current VCT champions will head back to play the EMEA League starting on March 27. Fnatic will compete against BBL Esports, FUT Esports, Giants, Karmine Corp, KOI, Natus Vincere, Team Heretics, Team Liquid, and Team Vitality.
The Pacific League starts on March 26. The teams competing in this league are Detonation FM, DRX, Gen.G, Global Esports, Paper Rex, Rex Regun Qeon, T1, Talon Esports, Team Secret, and Zeta Division.
The top three teams from each league will earn a spot at VCT 2023 Masters Tokyo.
