NRG and Giants shine in opening matches - VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo
The LOCK//IN São Paulo is now launched! NRG and Giants are starting this new Valorant Champions 2023 in the best way. In the two opening matches, they knocked out KOI and DetonatioN FocusMe respectively. This keeps them in the Alpha group. As the tournament is based on a format direct elimination, the Brazilian adventure came to an end for KOI and DetonatioN FocusMe. These two meetings were only the beginning of a long series, as a total of thirty-two structures came to seek glory and a first trophy.
NRG Esports puts in a good performance (2-0)
NRG is one of those structures that have been active since the beginning of Valorant, but have not managed to reach the top. In order to restore its reputation in 2023, the American organisation has overhauled almost its entire roster. Today, it has six experienced and talented players, who are none other than s0m, FNS, crashies, Victor, ardiis and thwifo.
As we have pointed out in our analysis of the EMEA teams, KOI is to Spain what Karmine Corp is to France. Last year it was in the VRL Spain, now it is in the big league. The Spanish organisation has recruited a brand new team to have a chance to stand out. And the least we can say is that koldamenta, Sheydos, trexx, Wolfen and starxo were solid despite their defeat last night.
More than that, they dominated the beginning of the game. On Icebox, first map of the match, KOI players don't let anything go by. Trexx particularly chains multiple eliminations. They were so effective that at the end of the period they had conceded only three rounds and were therefore leading 9-3. Even if the defence was complicated, NRG showed some good things, s0m having even achieved the first Ace of the tournament.
With such a lead at the changeover, KOI seemed to be on its way to victory. However, in Valorant, nothing is certain... In the next nine rounds, the situation was completely reversed. NRG, driven by s0m and crashiesIn the end, the two teams were tied at the end of the twenty-second round, with the two teams going on to win eight more points. At the end of the twenty-second round, the two teams were perfectly even. Thanks to a strong mentality, NRG eventually won 13 to 11.
Galvanised by their previous victory, the American players embarked on a second battle about Haven full of determination. However, at the beginning of the game, KOI gave them a hard time. Halfway through the period, neither team had the upper hand. Everything changed in the seventh round, thanks to a superb triple-kill from ardiis. At side change, NRG was four sets ahead of its opponent.
KOI equalises after winning four successive rounds, but NRG keep their cool. Again, s0m offers a real show. In round 18, he shows a frightening precision. He stopped the opponent's rush and gave his team an extra point. KOI's economy took a hit, but the team still managed to get a ninth point. Nevertheless, the Spanish efforts were not enough, NRG won the map 13 to 9.
Giants Gaming crushes DetonatioN FocusMe
The second match of the day was between Japan's DetonatioN FocusMe and Giants. The Japanese team has mainly shone during Japan's First Strike, finishing fourth. In 2021, the structure had a break and did not return to the scene until 2022. Today, the team is composed of former ZETA Division members.
Giants, in the early days of Valorant, was one of the most active organisations in the first tournaments. In 2021, it participated in the first edition of the Valorant Champions Tour, even taking second place in the EU Challengers 2 of Phase 3. However, she it not manage to stay in the tournament and was relegated to Spanish VRL.
When they started on Haven, both teams were aiming for victory to prove to the world their talent and legitimacy in the competition. The Giants quickly took the lead, but the Japanese came back just as quickly. At the end of the eighth round, the Japanese scored another point. This victory for DetonatioN FocusMe was the last of the evening. Monstrous efficiency, and carried by Cloud and his Sova, Giants won nine successive rounds and took the map 13 to 4.
The two teams then faced each other on Icebox. Once again, the Europeans dominated the first half. In twelve rounds played, they conceded only four. After the changeover, Giants continued their momentum and eventually won the map 13 to 7. Despite the defeat, the Japanese showed good chances, as did Anthem's ace in the final rounds, the first ace of the competition!
The LOCK//IN adventure is over for the players of DetonatioN FocusMe and KOI. Giants and NRG, on the other hand, will soon face each other to try to keep going for another day... and why not win the tournament.
Three new matches will be played in the evening. Karmine Corp will face FunPlus Phoenix, one of two Chinese teams invited by Riot Games. BBL Esports will then face DRX. Yay and his Cloud9 teammates and Paper Rex players will close the second day of competition. To follow the next VCT Lock In Brazil matches, go to VALORANT's Twitch channel.
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