Fnatic announced via a post on X that Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder will miss the VALORANT Champions upper semifinal against Paper Rex due to health issues. With Fnatic navigating the high stakes of Champions Paris, losing one of their strongest players at this stage adds a dramatic twist.
Alfajer’s Role & His Time with Fnatic
Alfajer has been a bedrock for Fnatic in recent VCT campaigns. Known for his dynamic flexing between agents like Neon, Killjoy, and Cypher, he’s often been a difference-maker in clutch rounds. Through playoff runs and high-pressure matches, he has contributed not just raw fragging but positional synergy with his teammates, combining retakes, information control, and utility discipline.
His consistency earned praise in Fnatic’s run to VALORANT Champions Paris, and despite PRX’s overall performance as a team, Alfa had the best individual stats as a player in Toronto’s final. Despite playing a role like Sentinel across the series, his site holds and overall impact were what enabled FNC to do well and make the final at Toronto. He was also a key factor in their previous two trophies in 2023, winning LOCK//IN São Paulo and Masters Tokyo.
PRX vs Fnatic at Toronto: A Benchmark for What’s Changed
Earlier in 2025, Fnatic faced Paper Rex in the Masters Toronto 2025 Grand Final. That series provided a template of how PRX adapt mid-match and push teams in long sets. The outcome was PRX winning 3–1, taking maps like Sunset and Lotus in close duels.
In that match, Alfajer had some standout moments and would’ve been nailed on MVP were his side to have come out victorious. That Toronto final showed Fnatic could push PRX, but also exposed their vulnerabilities in clutch defense and map momentum. Now, without Alfajer for the semifinal match, Fnatic must adapt those vulnerable points without one of their strategic anchors.
VALORANT Champions Upper Semifinal: What Happens With Doma
FNATIC has brought back their old player Domagoj “Doma” Fancev, who has been playing with Enterprise Esports ahead of joining FNC for today’s series. FNC says they’re confident with his skillset.
With Alfajer out, Fnatic faces a tall task against PRX, especially given PRX’s recent performance and map mastery. Still, Fnatic has depth and multiple players with the capability to step up. Boaster, Chronicle, crashies, and kaajak will likely shoulder extra burden and may shift roles or rely more on coach calls.
The semifinal clash between Fnatic and PRX now has a new subplot: can Fnatic advance without one of their core? PRX may target spaces Alfajer would normally guard or exploit off-angles he would cover. On the flip side, Fnatic could surprise by overloading other roles and leveraging surprise strategies.
After this semifinal, the other upcoming match in the bracket is MIBR vs NRG, which will determine the side of the bracket and the path to the Finals.
Fnatic’s resilience is about to be tested. If they conquer PRX even without Alfajer, it will be a statement. If they falter, it will show how thin margins are at this level. Either way, the narrative of Champions Paris just deepened.
