EWC 2025 Grand Finals Preview: Fnatic vs Team Heretics

The EWC VALORANT - Esports World Cup 2025 is down to its final chapter. After a week of grueling battles, upsets, and comebacks, only two teams remain. On one side stands Fnatic, eager to redeem themselves after falling short in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025. On the other, Team Heretics, recovering fighting to return to the top of international VALORANT.

Set to clash in a Bo5 Grand Final, this matchup is more than just a trophy bout. With $500,000, 1000 EWC Club Points, and international prestige on the line, this is a milestone moment for both squads.

Second place will still take home a respectable $230,000 and 750 Club Points, but nobody plays for second.

Road to the Finals

Fnatic

For Fnatic, the EWC Grand Final represents unfinished business. After their heart-wrenching runner-up finish at Masters Toronto, they arrived in Riyadh with fire in their eyes, and it's shown every step of the way.

They made quick work of the group stage, going 2-0 with a clean, clinical display that reminded everyone why they were the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 1 Champions. Their playoff campaign opened with a dominant performance against Karmine Corp, setting up a semifinal rematch against their Toronto nemesis, Paper Rex.

This time, revenge was sweet. Despite dropping the first map, Fnatic pulled off a remarkable reverse sweep, taking the series 2-1. Kajetan "kaajak" Haremski (56/40/8), Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder (55/48/14), and Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov (53/34/17) turned the series into a statement.

Chronicle, in particular, reminded everyone why he’s still in the conversation for best player in the world, ending the series with a 1.31 rating and securing MVP honors. Fnatic enter the Grand Final not just as contenders, but as favorites. Full of confidence and fully locked in.

EWC VALORANT - Esports World Cup 2025

Fnatic

2

X

1

Paper Rex

Semi Final, Best of 3 - July 12, 2025 - 9:00AM

10

Sunset

13

13

Ascent

3

13

Split

8

Fnatic

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Chronicle

1.31

247

53/34/17

+19

1.56

74.8%

163.4

24%

62%

8

5

Alfajer

1.25

263

55/48/14

+7

1.15

79.5%

179.4

30%

60%

15

10

kaajak

1.24

249

56/40/8

+16

1.40

70.2%

160.0

43%

53%

9

8

crashies

0.87

156

36/33/18

+3

1.09

71.6%

112.9

35%

0%

0

2

Boaster

0.74

126

22/36/27

-14

0.61

72.0%

80.8

21%

67%

2

1

Paper Rex

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

f0rsakeN

1.11

219

51/47/14

+4

1.09

64.8%

146.3

27%

53%

8

7

something

0.87

188

40/44/13

-4

0.91

69.5%

127.0

23%

50%

7

7

d4v41

0.84

183

37/43/14

-6

0.86

65.2%

120.4

23%

30%

3

7

Jinggg

0.76

182

35/45/14

-10

0.78

65.2%

130.3

18%

33%

5

10

PatMen

0.69

142

28/44/18

-16

0.64

59.4%

97.9

30%

43%

3

4

Team Heretics

On the opposite side, Team Heretics have clawed their way back into the spotlight after a disappointing run at Masters Toronto. Few had them making it this far, but with grit and determination, they’ve rewritten the script.

After squeezing into the playoffs with a second-place finish in their group beating out Rex Regum Qeon, they found their rhythm again. A clean 2-0 sweep over BBL Esports in the playoffs reignited hope, but it was their grueling 2-1 win over Gen.G Esports that solidified their resurgence.

Leading the charge was Mert "Wo0t" Alkan, who has been on fire throughout the playoffs, posting strong numbers against top-tier opponents. But it wasn’t a one-man effort. Enes "RieNs" Ecirli turned up the heat with a 1.14 rating and 57 kills against Gen.G, earning MVP of the series and proving that this Heretics squad has more depth than they’re given credit for.

Now, they face their toughest test yet. Fnatic’s structure, firepower, and leadership are unmatched, and Heretics will need a flawless series to pull off the upset.

EWC VALORANT - Esports World Cup 2025

Gen.G Esports

1

X

2

Team Heretics

Semi Final, Best of 3 - July 12, 2025 - 1:30PM

7

Ascent

13

13

Haven

8

14

Lotus

16

Gen.G Esports

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Munchkin

1.07

223

51/51/28

0

1.00

71.4%

145.5

17%

67%

8

4

t3xture

1.06

226

53/55/12

-2

0.96

70.7%

138.4

22%

67%

18

9

Karon

1.02

175

46/45/28

+1

1.02

78.3%

107.5

23%

44%

7

9

Foxy9

0.91

199

50/42/6

+8

1.19

74.2%

134.1

31%

75%

9

3

Ash

0.86

162

41/44/22

-3

0.93

76.5%

112.5

40%

60%

3

2

Team Heretics

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

RieNs

1.14

226

57/47/28

+10

1.21

75.0%

152.4

44%

43%

3

4

Wo0t

1.13

255

58/53/17

+5

1.09

76.4%

155.1

32%

44%

8

10

Boo

0.92

163

44/39/28

+5

1.13

87.0%

101.6

34%

50%

5

5

MiniBoo

0.78

167

43/54/16

-11

0.80

60.5%

110.3

29%

31%

8

18

benjyfishy

0.64

141

35/48/12

-13

0.73

72.4%

97.7

27%

18%

2

9

Prediction: Fnatic to win a Hard-Fought battle

This Grand Final has all the makings of a classic. Fnatic enter as the more balanced and consistent team, with firepower across the board and Jake "Boaster" Howlett’s leadership guiding their game. Austin "crashies" Roberts’ utility, combined with Alfajer and Kaajak’s form, makes them a complete threat.

Heretics, meanwhile, thrive on momentum, with Wo0t’s aggressive dueling and RieNs’ clutch plays powering their resurgence. While Heretics fight with nothing to lose, Fnatic’s depth, structure, and drive for redemption give them the edge. Expect a close match, but Fnatic should take it 3-2.

Prediction: Fnatic 3-2 Team Heretics

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Featured Image Source: Esports World Cup