Fnatic Dominate Team Heretics to Win VCT EMEA 2025 Stage 1

Valorant

18 May

Andre Guaraldo

Fnatic secured the VCT EMEA Stage 1 Championship with a decisive 3-0 victory over Team Heretics in the Grand Finals today, May 18, 2025. The win guarantees Fnatic a direct playoffs spot at Masters Toronto and reinforces their position as a top team in the EMEA region.

Dominant Performance in the Finals

Fnatic entered the Grand Finals with momentum after defeating the very same Team Heretics 2-0 in the Upper Bracket Finals earlier in the tournament. The Grand Final series confirmed Fnatic’s strategic superiority and disciplined execution across all three maps.

The first map, Split, ended 13-4 in Fnatic’s favor, with strong defensive setups limiting Heretics’ opportunities. On Icebox, Heretics’ map choice, the champions managed to maintain control to secure a 13-9 win. The final map, Fracture, saw Heretics push Fnatic to overtime, but Fnatic closed it out 14-12 to complete the clean sweep.

Tournament Outcome and Qualifications

Fnatic earned nine EMEA points with the victory, placing first in the regional standings. Team Heretics finished second with eight points, while Team Liquid claimed third with six points. The top three teams - Fnatic, Heretics, and Team Liquid - all qualified for Masters Toronto. Meanwhile, Fnatic and Heretics also secured spots at the Esports World Cup 2025.

The VCT EMEA Stage 1 final standings were:

1st: Fnatic (9 points)
2nd: Team Heretics (8 points)
3rd: Team Liquid (6 points)
4th: BBL Esports (5 points)
5th and 6th: Natus Vincere, FUT Esports (3 points each)
7th and 8th: Karmine Corp, Team Vitality (2 points each)
9th and 10th: GIANTX, Movistar KOI (1 point each)
11th and 12th: Apeks, Gentle Mates

Looking Ahead to International Competitions

Fnatic’s victory marks their fourth EMEA finals appearance in the partnership era. The team’s ability to neutralize Heretics’ strengths and adapt mid-series positions them as strong contenders at Masters Toronto. With direct playoff access, Fnatic avoids the group stage, giving them additional preparation time.

The EMEA region continues to showcase high-level tactical play, and Fnatic’s latest title reinforces their legacy as one of VALORANT’s most successful organizations. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on their performance at international events, where they aim to translate regional success into global dominance.

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Feature image credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

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