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VALORANT Champions Lower Bracket Finals: EG to take on LOUD!
We move one day closer to the final day of the playoffs of VALORANT Champions 2023, and only three teams remain in the race for the title of world champion. The first and only match of the day will be the Lower Bracket Final, where LOUD will face Evil Geniuses. The winner will advance to the Grand Final, where Paper Rex awaits.
LOUD: The Brazilian powerhouse
LOUD has been one of the most impressive teams in the tournament, showcasing their aggressive and creative playstyle. They came in 2nd in Group D with wins over Natus Vincere and Team Liquid, and then defeated Fnatic in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals. However, they fell to Paper Rex in a close 1-2 series in the Upper Bracket Semifinals, dropping to the Lower Bracket.
In the Lower Bracket, LOUD bounced back with a dominant 2-1 sweep over EDward Gaming, eliminating the Chinese team from the tournament. LOUD's star players have been Saadhak, who leads the team as the in-game leader and duelist, and Less clutch master of the team. LOUD has also shown great versatility and adaptability, using different agents and strategies depending on their opponents and maps.
Evil Geniuses: The North American dark horse
Evil Geniuses was not considered a favorite coming into the tournament, as they had to qualify through the Last Chance Qualifiers. However, they have proven everyone wrong with their consistent and solid performance. They finished at the top in Group B, going into the Quarterfinals with a 2-0. They then showed off a dominant run, beating EDG and DRX. However, they were sent down into the Lower Bracket by PRX.
In the Lower Bracket, Evil Geniuses set to face LOUD. Evil Geniuses' strength lies in their teamwork and coordination, as well as their individual skill and experience. The North American side has also shown great resilience and composure, overcoming pressure and adversity in many situations.
Prediction: LOUD vs Evil Geniuses
The Lower Bracket Final will be a clash of styles and regions, as LOUD and Evil Geniuses will fight for a spot in the Grand Final. Both teams have shown great form throughout the tournament, but only one can advance. The match will be a best-of-five series, which means that map pool and agent selection will be crucial factors.
LOUD has an advantage in terms of map pool, as they have played on all seven maps in the tournament, while Evil Geniuses has avoided playing on Icebox and Fracture. LOUD also has an edge in terms of agent diversity, as they have used 14 different agents in the tournament, while Evil Geniuses has used only 11. LOUD's aggressive and unpredictable playstyle could catch Evil Geniuses off guard, especially on unfamiliar maps.
However, Evil Geniuses should not be underestimated, as they have shown great consistency and solidity on their preferred maps. Evil Geniuses also has an advantage in terms of experience and preparation. As they have played against more diverse opponents in their region and studied LOUD's mid-round calls. Evil Geniuses' teamwork and coordination could counter LOUD's individual skill and creativity.
The match is expected to be a close and exciting one. But LOUD has a slight edge over Evil Geniuses based on their map pool and agent diversity.