The Americas Stage 2 runners-up and all-around VALORANT Champions underdogs have become the first team to reach the tournament’s grand final, beating Fnatic in a convincing 2-0 series. For the EMEA side, they must beat either Paper Rex or DRX to join NRG on Sunday.
NRG’s rookies unshaken in the first grand finals map
NRG began well on Ascent, Fnatic’s map pick, finding a slim early lead with a s0m 3k on the highlight. The Americas second seed set the pace through the opening map, and went into half time with an 8-4 lead. Brawk was leading the way for NRG, a statement that could be made in most of their matches throughout the tournament.
On Fnatic’s side, they were unusually quiet. The returning Alfajer — who missed their stunning 2-1 win over Paper Rex through illness — took time to get back into the groove, less than ideal for a Fnatic side that often relied on his elite performances much of this year.
But the side swap turned the tides. On defence, Fnatic began to claw back with kaajak finding his feet. The Pole had looked a brilliant signing this year but hadn’t had the best tournament so far, perhaps feeling the pressures of such a grand event, but he looked himself against NRG.
Eventually Fnatic levelled things at 11-11. NRG then nicked another to go 12-11. Fnatic levelled again. NRG nicked another, again. And this time, they made it stick, clinching a 14-12 victory to begin the series 1-0.
Momentum-led map two
NRG carried momentum into the second map, their Abyss. An immediate 4k for skuba on the pistol round was the perfect start, which the team then leveraged to a massive 11-1 lead at the switch.
The underdogs — a moniker they’ve held almost every series in Paris — grew in confidence as the second map went on. By comparison, Fnatic regressed; none of their usual suspects stepped up to start farming kills as is usually seen from at least one of kaajak, Alfa, or Chronicle.
Skuba, on the other hand, was doing just that. He ended the first half 15/3/5. No Fnatic player could muster more than 7 kills.
Fnatic did not capitulate and managed to find a few round wins in the second half, but the difference was far too large, and NRG closed out 13-2.
NRG into the VALORANT Champions grand final
With their win, NRG and their team of rookies and rejects became the first team to reach the VALORANT Champions 2025 grand final. Given the lack of expectations, they could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas and accepting that reaching this deep at all was extremely impressive. But they want more, and now they just need to upset the odds one more time to go down in the history books.
For Fnatic, the loss means they must wait at least one day longer to book a spot in their first-ever Champs final. However, to do so, they will still need to beat either of DRX or Paper Rex in the lower bracket final tomorrow.
