Vitality withdraws from Last Chance Qualifier EMEA 2023
The French organisation Vitality has announced the withdrawal of its Valorant team from the Last Chance Qualifier EMEAin agreement with Riot Games. This decision follows the recent death of Karel 'Twisten' Ašenbrener. Out of respect for the latter, the organisation does not wish to recruit a new player for the remaining matches and has therefore decided to end his season in the Valorant Champions Tour 2023.
Last September, along with ten other European organisations, Vitality joined the the new EMEA League for VCT 2023. Thanks to good performances during the regular season, the qualified for the playoffs of the Ligue. However, the adventure came to an early end for BONECOLD and co. With two successive defeats - to Team Liquid and then FUT Esports - they were eliminated and ended up in the final. 5th/6th overall. As a result, Team Vitality was automatically admitted to the Last Chance Qualifier EMEAThis tournament offers one last chance for a team from the region to progress to the Valorant Champions.
Shortly afterwards, we were saddened to learn of the death of Karel Ašenbrener, alias Twisten, one of the members of Team Vitality. Two weeks have passed since the announcement of this tragedy, and today the organisation has chosen to do not remain in the CTV out of respect for the deceased. In its official press release, it refers to " immense and unprecedented grief". among the Club's players and staff. Furthermore, the team does not wish to finish the season with a replacement, as it seems unimaginable that "someone else is playing these last competitions of the season".
Vitality's request has obviously been taken into account and Riot Games has validated and confirmed its withdrawal from the LCQ. As a result, only six teams remain in contention for the final EMEA slot at Valorant Champions, namely Giants Gaming, Karmine Corp, Team Heretics, Natus Vincere, BBL Esports and KOI. It is possible that the region will receive an additional slot if Fnatic manages to win. the Tokyo Masters Final this Sunday 25 June.
EN 
FR