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On Day 4 of the VCT EMEA Promotion tournament, we finally have our first team qualified for the Stage 2 EMEA Challengers. FOKUS and BIG fought each other in the Upper final, while Surreal Esports and Rebels Gaming were playing for their tournament life.
FOKUS vs BIG
Two German juggernauts fighting for a spot in the Stage 2 EMEA Challengers. FOKUS and BIG headlined day 4 of the VCT EMEA Promotion tournament.
BIG was seen as the slight favorite for this series, but FOKUS was in a great form leading up to this match-up.
BIG picked Bind, while FOKUS choose Fracture, with Ascent being the decider map if necessary.
FOKUS had a good start defensive side on Bind. They won the first three rounds of the half, but BIG was able to answer with four straight rounds.
Despite BIG good response, FOKUS was able to adjust their defensive setups and closed the half on a 5 round win streak, going into the second half with the 8-4 lead.
MASSIVE FROM @aslan_vt! ? #VCT pic.twitter.com/5dIOpuIkFT
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) April 8, 2022
FOKUS carried their momentum to the second half and didn’t give BIG a chance to get back into the game, winning the map 13-5.
On Fracture FOKUS had an absolutely amazing start to their attacking side, getting off to a 6-0 lead early in the game.
BIG still managed to cut the deficit to 8-4 at the end of the half, but FOKUS were in total control of the game.
Another big round from @aslan_vt to keep things competitive! ? #VCT pic.twitter.com/qSIjOwUIXS
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) April 8, 2022
The second half didn’t start well for BIG as they lost a very important pistol round, and the eco round.
With a 10-4 lead it seemed a matter of time until FOKUS closed out the game.
A comeback was still attempted by BIG, as they were able to win four rounds in a row and cut the FOKUS lead.
However, the early lead FOKUS got on their attacking side proved to be too much for BIG to recover from, as the German champions took map two 13-9 and guaranteed their ticket to the Stage 2 EMEA Challengers.
As for BIG, they will have one last chance to qualify for the Stage 2 EMEA Challengers, when they match up against the winner of the Surreal Esports vs Rebels Gaming series, in the lower bracket final.
Rebels Gaming vs Surreal Esports
In the only elimination match of today, the Turkish champions were looking to get their revenge on Rebels Gaming, after losing 2-0 to the Spanish champions in the play-in.
Rebels Gaming picked Icebox, Surreal Esports chose Haven, with the decider map being Ascent.
The first half of Icebox was very back and forth, and none of the teams was able to take control of the game.
Heading into the half-time Rebels Gaming had the 7-5 lead, and with Surreal Esports running a double sentinel composition things didn’t look great for the Turkish squad.
De @RebelsGaming desde que era un CM chiquito.
?https://t.co/EGgtKYkyVI #VCTEMEA pic.twitter.com/QB7T6FP9uW
— VALORANT Regional League Spain: Rising (@LVPesVALORANT) April 8, 2022
With Surreal Esports winning the pistol round and the following eco round, the game was now wide open.
Rebels Gaming was quick to shut down Surreal Esports hopes. The Spanish squad showed some great defensive setups, fast rotations, and also good retakes.
11-7 was now the score in favor of Rebels Gaming.
It looked like it was a matter of time until Rebels Gaming took the series lead, and that was exactly right.
After a great clutch by musashi, Rebels Gaming won the map 13-9 and was only one win away from advancing to the lower bracket final.
NOW THAT'S HOW YOU END IT @musashival! pic.twitter.com/W3Zuip9YU5
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) April 8, 2022
Haven started in a similar way to Icebox. Both teams traded rounds, but this time Rebels Gaming managed to string 4 rounds together and were leading 7-2.
Surreal Esports still managed to reduce the score difference, and the first half finished 7-5.
Parece que… ya no se Riens.
?https://t.co/EGgtKYkyVI #VCTEMEA pic.twitter.com/a7SmmidHo9
— VALORANT Regional League Spain: Rising (@LVPesVALORANT) April 8, 2022
The defensive side of Surreal Esports on Haven was on point. They had already proved against Anonymo Mentos their defensive side was very solid and Rebels Gaming was struggling to find success against a very solid defense.
Wining opening duels, and executing their retakes almost to perfection Surreal Esports took the lead, and forced Rebels Gaming to call a timeout.
That timeout did wonders for Rebels Gaming. The team looked reinvigorated after the timeout and went on a four-round winning streak taking the lead 12-10.
However, Surreal Esports managed to pull it back and forced overtime.
Overtime was a mix of emotions, both teams had multiple match points but weren’t able to capitalize, and some insane clutches were being pulled off by both sides.
?️¡Trrrrrrrrriple para @jannyiwnl que vuelve a poner Rebels por delante!
?https://t.co/EGgtKYkyVI #VCTEMEA pic.twitter.com/PLM21h67S5
— VALORANT Regional League Spain: Rising (@LVPesVALORANT) April 8, 2022
In the end, Surreal Esports managed to come out on top 22-20.
Haven was dominated from the start to finish by Surreal Esports.
The Turkish side took control of the game early in the first half and defeated Rebels Gaming 13-6.
With this result, they will face BIG for the last spot at the Stage 2 EMEA Challengers tomorrow at 3:00 PM WEST.
As for Rebels Gaming, their tournament run ends here.