“The worst thing they can do is be afraid.” - Pipson on GIANTX being a rookie squad at Champions Paris

The first teams of VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions have started to qualify for playoffs. Starting out in Group A, Paper Rex faced off against GIANTX in the winners' match. The matchup leaned toward a PRX win, as they're one of the favorites to take the whole tournament. However, GIANTX had already proven themselves on the global stage after taking down fan favorites Sentinels the week prior. After an exciting series, PRX were the ones to secure the first playoffs spot at Champs.

With three rookies on their roster, GIANTX still has a lot to learn if they want to stay in the tournament. GIANTX Head Coach Daniil "pipsoN" Meshcheryakov spoke to THESPIKE.GG after the match to talk about what it's like working with a younger, less experienced squad.

Intense brawl against PRX

As heavy favorites, PRX seemed to underestimate their opponents at the start of Ascent. Knowing PRX loves to play aggressively, GIANTX came in ready to match that energy. Pipson’s plan was simple:

“We wanted to stop fire with fire. So if they're aggressive, we want to be aggressive as well. And if you're going to give them space for free, or you're not going to take a duel which they allow you to take, it will be a complete disaster.”

And the plan worked. The first map ended in GIANTX’s favor, with PRX coach Alex "alecks" Salle visibly frustrated during the post-map interview. GIANTX’s fearless performance caught PRX off guard, making them hesitant in fights—something you don’t see from PRX often.

But PRX bounced back, turning the match into a three-map series. After some costly mistakes from GIANTX, PRX closed it out and advanced to the playoffs. Despite the loss, Pipson is happy with the team’s performance.

“I mean, you cannot really be happy when you're losing, but we also didn't play really, really bad to be mad or sad or unhappy. I think we showed an acceptable level of gaming.”

Disrupted preparations

One major setback for GIANTX heading into Champs was Alex "alecks" Salle falling sick right before the tournament began. They only managed to play two scrims with him the day before facing Sentinels. If they had more prep time with Ara, Pipson believes fans would’ve seen a lot of new strategies that the team hadn’t shown before.

“We had certain plans for what we wanted to work on and fix during our time in Paris before the tournament started, and we couldn't do it. But... I'm not sad or mad or anything like that, because these are things we can't control, and it can happen randomly to anyone.”

Rookies on the squad

Another challenge for GIANTX is their lack of experience on the big stage. Three out of five players on the team are rookies and completely new to international play. With this being their first time facing off against some of the game’s biggest names, nerves would be expected. But GIANTX have shown the opposite as they look confident and composed on the server. Pipson hasn’t noticed any signs of nerves.

“I mean, even if they have them (feelings of nervousness), they don't show them. So watching the way they played, I cannot say that they were nervous. I think it's pretty okay to be nervous and maybe we're nervous, but it doesn't feel like it and it doesn't affect our game.”

While many might see GIANTX as an underdog, Pipson doesn’t think having three rookies is what puts them in that position. With powerhouse teams like PRX and G2 Esports in the mix, GIANTX would be considered underdogs regardless. Still, he’s noticed how loved the team is by fans and media in Paris, which helps the squad stay confident and enjoy their time on stage.

Working on their mental

A strong mental game is a key trait for any top-level player. Staying composed in high-pressure situations is what separates good players from great ones. For rookies, this can be even more challenging — especially on the international stage when facing legendary names.

GIANTX player Miłosz "westside" Duda mentioned in a previous interview with THESPIKE.GG after VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - EMEA Stage 2 that the mental game was something the squad had to work on.

“They’re going to play against players from different regions who already have really big achievements, like for example, PRX or G2 or Sentinels. The worst thing they can do is be afraid of their nicknames or their past achievements. And that's why he kind of used what I told them, that they are the same humans with two hands and two legs and one head.”

Pipson’s focus as the Head Coach has been to keep the guys focused on the task at hand, not letting ego or intimidation creep in.

“You have to make sure that your rookies are not like either having ego problems by qualifying to Champs. Or the opposite, that they are coming and they are like, ‘Wow, it's G2, they're so good,’ and stuff like that.”

No Difference on the global stage

Facing teams from other regions can be a unique experience when you've never played against their style before. But for Pipson, the global stage doesn’t feel too different from regional play.

“To be honest, there is no difference. At least I don't see it, because there are certain teams who have similar playstyles to international teams. EMEA has a pretty big variety of playstyles.”

For example, playing BBL Esports is completely different than playing Natus Vincere—just like PRX plays nothing like G2. Because of that, Pipson isn’t concerned about who GIANTX will face next. They'll adapt and prepare when the decider match is locked in. On September 21, we’ll find out if GIANTX has what it takes to stay in Paris and continue their run in the Playoffs.

For all things VALORANT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured image credit: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games.