The Cinderella run continues: Evil Geniuses defeats Team Liquid at VCT Masters Tokyo

The first Upper Semifinals of VCT Masters Tokyo featured two teams which overcame bad forms at the start of the year to secure playoffs and then Tokyo. The first team is the #1 EMEA team in Team Liquid and #3 Americas seed Evil Geniuses. Coming into the game, Team Liquid had won over EDward Gaming. Evil Geniuses defeated FUT, DRX and LOUD and made a Cinderella run to reach the Upper Semifinals.

Evil Geniuses started their map choice at the game with a great lead. Team Liquid won the fifth round, but EG converted the four-round win streak into an 11-1 half. Despite losing the first round in the second half, EG won the game 13-2.

On Haven, Team Liquid got a better start and displayed some bite, closing the first half 5-7. The second-half start was better, but EG played it better and secured the second map 13-9 to secure the Upper Finals.

Both teams attended the post-game press conference. Strafe had an opportunity to attend the same and ask the teams about the game and the tournament. The following is Strafe's excerpt from the interview.

Q. (For Coach emIL) It did not seem that Liquid was in the game today. What do you think was the biggest problem for the team in the game?

TL emIL: "I think today we had an early game, so I didn't think we were super ready and put the potential on the stage like we normally do. And that, combined with us having a lot of prep, and a lot of anti-strat as well, made it really hard for us to play our game and be comfortable on stage. So it's a little bit on me overcomplicating things, and yes, also for us to get used to playing early games. And also, ofcourse EG, supergood."

Q. (For Team Liquid) How was the team's mental strength during the last map, given you were already in a sticky spot?

TL emIL: "I mean mentally, we were really good. We never felt like we were in a bad state or mood. Today, the mental strength of the team was impressive to see even though we lost pistols, or they got a nice 4k or two headshots with a deagle, or stuff like that happens. We still had a good mentality, so we were good.

Q. (For EG) Many people call EG's run a Cinderella run. What are your thoughts on this? Is this a surprise for you too?

EG Ethan: "Like we have been asked, not really any expectations. So everything right now is a bonus or icing on the cake but yeah, definitely surprising. We are undefeated, 8-0 given the calibre of teams we have been playing, the champs of NA, the champs of EU, so we are definitely checking teams off the list."

Q. (for EG Potter) The team clearly wanted to play Fnatic. Who do you want to face in the next game?

EG Potter: "It is a tough question for me. My players are huge fans of Fnatic, so don't wanna face them too early on, but as Boosti said, our confidence is really high. I think we have a good read on how Fnatic really plays. We have been inspired by their plays for the past year and a half, so we are very familiar with Fnatic. So I gotta say Fnatic."

As predicted by EG, Fnatic defeated Paper Rex and will face them in the Upper finals the day after. Fnatic is once again looking indomitable and has to be the biggest challenge for EG. You can follow the VCT Twitter for all the updates regarding VCT Masters Tokyo.

Credits: Riot Games // Valorant Champions Tour

You can also followVCT Masters Tokyo on Strafe.