VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs Recap: Team Liquid Crowned Champions, Four Teams Punch Tickets to Champions
- Tung "Ginn" Duong
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
The VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs have concluded, delivering thrilling matches, upsets, and a dominant run from Team Liquid, who secured the title after sweeping GIANTX in the Grand Final. With the tournament now wrapped up, four EMEA squads have officially locked in their spots for Valorant Champions 2025.
VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 Playoffs Upper Bracket Recap
The playoffs kicked off with BBL Esports edging past Fnatic in a tight 2-1 series, showing early signs that they were ready to challenge. On the other side, GIANTX looked sharp from the start, dismantling NAVI 2-1 with coordinated executes and confident clutches.
In the semifinals, BBL continued their impressive run by stunning Team Heretics with a 2-0 victory, proving their preparation paid off. Team Liquid, however, had to work much harder. Their clash against GIANTX went the full distance, but Liquid’s resilience and late-round experience carried them through in a narrow 2-1 win.
The Upper Bracket Final set the stage for a fiery showdown between BBL Esports and Team Liquid. BBL started strong and looked poised to cause another upset, but Liquid adapted mid-series, shutting down their aggression and pulling off key defensive holds. With a 2-1 victory, Liquid secured the first ticket to the Grand Final.
VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 Lower Bracket Recap
The lower bracket quickly became a brutal gauntlet. Karmine Corp’s playoff run ended at the hands of GIANTX, falling 1-2 in a heartbreaking series that denied them a deeper run in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, NAVI kept their hopes alive by eliminating Team Vitality 2-0, knocking out another French favorite.
The quarterfinals delivered more drama. GIANTX swept aside Fnatic 2-0 in a commanding performance, while NAVI shocked many by providing a convincing 2–0 sweep over Team Heretics. Both teams looked dangerous, but only one could move forward.
That clash came in the Lower Bracket Semifinal, where GIANTX and NAVI went head-to-head in one of the tournament’s most intense series. After losing the first maps, GIANTX held their ground, securing a successful comeback, victory 2-1 to advance. Riding that momentum, GIANTX entered the Lower Bracket Final against BBL Esports and delivered a statement.
With relentless aggression and flawless coordination, they crushed BBL 3-0, booking their place in the Grand Final and earning a rematch with Team Liquid.
The VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 Grand Final: Team Liquid vs GIANTX
The highly anticipated final turned into a showcase of Liquid’s championship pedigree. Starting on Bind, Liquid came out swinging, controlling the pace and punishing every mistake from GIANTX, and Liquid closed the map 13-10.
On Lotus, GIANTX finally found their rhythm, matching Liquid round for round in a back-and-forth slugfest. The map went the distance with GIANTX threatening to even up the series. But when the pressure peaked, Liquid’s clutch factor once again shone through. With calm decision-making and ice-cold aim, they sealed a tense 13-9 victory to move one step closer to the trophy.
Despite GIANTX putting up a fight and keeping the scoreline close in the early rounds, Liquid’s superior mid-round calling and individual heroics gradually broke them down.GIANTX struggled to keep pace. In the end, Liquid closed out the map with a convincing 13–10 finish.
The 3-0 sweep not only crowned Team Liquid as the Stage 2 champions but also sent a strong message to the global scene that they are more than ready for Valorant Champions 2025.
Liquid’s IGL Captain nAts was named the Grand Final MVP after a masterclass performance across all three maps, anchoring defenses and delivering impact plays when it mattered most.
With Stage 2 concluded, four teams from EMEA have booked their tickets to the biggest event of the year:
Team Liquid (Seed 1)
GIANTX (Seed 2)
Fnatic (Seed 3)
Team Heretics (Seed 4)
These four will carry the EMEA flag at Champions, where they will face off against the best teams from around the world. With EMEA also serving as the host region for Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris, the pressure and expectations will be even higher, as fans hope their representatives can rise to the occasion and make history on the biggest stage of the year.
