THESPIKE.GG Staff predicts outcome of Champions Istanbul
The wait for VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul has finally come to an end, and in less than 24 hours Paper Rex will be facing EDward Gaming in the opening matchup. Before the best teams around the world go at each other THESPIKE.GG staff decided to jot down their predictions, along with respective reasonings, regarding which team they believe will leave Istanbul with the Champions Title.
Aashir Ahmed – Writer
Prediction: Paper Rex
The entire Valorant community is witness to the series of unfortunate tragedies Paper Rex faced with COVID-19 as three members of their roster tested positive alongside their Coach and Team Manager. Although Riot made appropriate arrangements and these players competed in the tournament, the physical and mental hurdles of having contracted such an ailment are not easy to overcome.
Despite having the odds stacked against them, they finished the tournament with a 2nd Place losing only to FPX in a well-contested Grand Finals matchup. With better circumstances this time around, PRX has the potential to alter history’s usual course of selecting an European or North American winner.
Berat - Writer
Prediction: OpTic Gaming
I was impressed by their macro strategy when I watched OpTic Gaming at the Masters Reykjavik in April. Having been bested by FunPlus Phoenix in the semifinals in Copenhagen, OpTic had enough time to prepare themselves in order to take their revenge on the EU representative. Also, this has nothing to do with being a fanboy, and I have faith that they will return stronger than ever to bring the trophy home again.
Coach Mills - Social Media Manager
Prediction: 100T
NA hopium…. The reality is, 100T doesn’t have much international experience with their current roster. While they look phenomenal in the LCQ against the remnants of North America, the competition will be on a whole new level at Istanbul. With that being said, the current 100 Thieves roster could take down the whole tournament. Star players like Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk and Derrek "Derrek" Ha have tons of play making ability that could dictate the flow of matches even against top international teams. Combine this all with expert coaching talent like Sean Gares and you have a roster you shouldn’t overlook.
Doğukan/nateNgod - Writer
Prediction: Fnatic
It's a big plus for Fnatic that Alfajer will be playing in front of their fans in his home country. I think that the Enzo and Alfajer duo in Fnatic can be lethal in Istanbul combined with Boaster's tactics. Also being 2nd after a team like FPX in VCT 2022 - EMEA Circuit Point Standings makes them favorites for me.
Onur/ArmandVanHelden - Writer
Prediction: FPX
They are the perfect combination of experience and hunger. Their hunger for success was inspirable this year, not making it to the first Masters etc. Despite all the obstacles, FPX still managed to stay at a very high level and they showed it by winning the last Masters. Ardiis is a great weapon to use especially in important matches and he is supported by very talented players. With Chamber nerfs, they might need to find different strategies to execute at Champions but still, in ardiis and FPX we trust.
hex4 - Product Lead
Prediction: FPX
My heart tells me EDward Gaming, because it would be an amazing story to see a team having the ability to compete in VCT for the first time and win it all. But seeing the lower bracket run FPX had in Copenhagen after Suygetsu joined the team, it’s really hard not to consider them as favorites going into Champions. The good thing about this team is that if ardiis is having a bad day, there’s Shao who will be racking up a bunch of 1vX clutches and if Shao has a bad day, don’t worry, there’s Suygetsu who can cover. Moreover, the team is very dynamic when it comes to agent selections which makes it a bit harder for the opponents to read them. Shao and Ange1 played 6 and 7 different agents respectively during Copenhagen while the rest of the players played a maximum of 4 agents (except Blackwiz who played 5)
blubs - Head of Content
Prediction: FPX
FPX were so consistent throughout Copenhagen and even throughout the online challengers. It’s hard not to consider FPX as the potential champions not just because they are the latest Major LAN winners but their whole dynamic as a team just works. They make a plan and stick to it, they trust in each other and their abilities to do their job.}
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