VCT 2022: Stage 2 Challengers - Week 4 Recap
Week four of the VCT 2022 Stage 2 Challengers was "do or die" for many teams across the planet. Heading into the final week of the Group stage, many playoff spots are already secured, with only a few teams left to fight for playoffs and a chance to compete in Copenhagen in July.
North America
Week four kicked off with XSET securing playoffs with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over The Guard and OpTic Gaming suffering their first defeat of Stage 2 to Evil Geniuses.
On Day Two, Sentinels and TSM got their playoff hopes shut down by Faze and Ghost. Although both matches ended with a 2-0 score, the games were pretty tight, and both went to overtime.
On Sunday, 100Thieves snatched an easy 2-0 win vs. NRG and secured playoffs. On the other hand, Luminosity ended Cloud 9's playoff chances, bringing their disappointing Stage 2 to a close.
7 of 8 Teams have qualified for #VCTNA Challengers Playoffs:@100T_Esports @XSET @GhostEsports @EvilGeniuses @OpTic @Luminosity @FaZeClan
— VALORANT Champions Tour NA | #VCTNA (@valesports_na) June 6, 2022
The final team will be determined by who wins @TheGuard vs @NRGgg.
Here are the standings going into the final week of the Main Event: pic.twitter.com/U4ng2HJly0
In the final week of the Group stage, all eyes will be on NRG vs. The Guard match on Saturday, as they will directly fight for the eighth and final spot in Stage 2 Challengers playoffs.
EMEA
Just like in NA, only one playoff spot is up for grabs across the Atlantic heading into Week 5.
In group A, Fnatic, Ascend, and FunPlus Phoenix locked their playoff spots by defeating FOKUS, G2 Esports, and OG LDN UTD and eliminating them from Stage 2.
Also, Fnatic secured first seed and will skip the first round of playoffs, while FPX and Ascend start from the upper bracket quarter-finals.
Guild secured the first seed heading into playoffs in group B by defeating BBL. In an all-important match for playoffs, Team Liquid beat NAVI and eliminated them while ensuring the playoff spot for themselves.
Finally, BIG managed to defeat M3C 2-0 and kept their playoff hopes alive. Heading into the final week, BIG still has a chance to qualify by defeating BBL, however, they will also need need help from Team Liquid who need to win their match versus M3C.
Other Regions
LOUD, MiBR, FURIA, Keyd Stars, and Ninjas in Pyjamas already secured their playoff spots in Brazil, while Los Grandes and Stars Horizon fight for the final place in a direct matchup on Saturday.
See you in the Playoffs! #VCTBR https://t.co/u5HJZBYBVd
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) June 6, 2022
Heading into the final week of Korean Challengers, DRX is still undefeated, with On Sla2ers looking to secure the second sport that guarantees a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Japanese and APAC Challengers playoffs begin next weekend, as well as LAN and LAS qualifiers for LATAM Challengers playoffs.
The VCT 2022 Stage 2 Challengers continues on Friday, June 10th, and you can watch all the action live on Twitch and YouTube. Also, check out the full schedule over at valorantesports.com.