Fnatic and Heretics Stay Undefeated After Gritty Wins on Week 3, Day 3 of VCT EMEA Stage 2

The third day of Week 3 at VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 featured two pivotal matchups across both groups. Fnatic staged a comeback to narrowly beat Natus Vincere in a 2–1 thriller, while Team Heretics maintained their perfect record with a confident 2–0 victory over Team Vitality.

Fnatic 2–1 Natus Vincere (Group Omega)

Fnatic remained undefeated, overcoming a shaky start to edge out NAVI in three closely contested maps.

Map results:

• Ascent — NAVI opened strong, winning 13:10 by applying constant pressure on Fnatic’s respawn zones through coordinated attack setups.
• Icebox — Fnatic stabilized on defense and clutched critical rounds, turning the tide with a 13:11 scoreline.
• Bind — A dramatic finale went to overtime, with Fnatic closing it out 15:13. Tomescu delivered a game-saving push late in OT.

Pick & ban summary:

• Bans: NAVI banned Lotus, Fnatic banned Corrode
• Picks: NAVI chose Bind, Fnatic picked Ascent
• Remaining bans: Sunset and Haven were removed

Key highlights:

• No map was a clean sweep — each round was hard-fought.
• Reddit threads emphasized the intensity: “Cardio-finish on Bind. Fnatic just refused to drop.”
• Chronicle stood out for Fnatic with 24 kills and 244 ACS on Killjoy.

Team Heretics 2–0 Team Vitality (Group Alpha)

Team Heretics took control of Group Alpha by defeating Vitality in straight maps with a composed and structured performance.

Map results:

• Haven — Despite trailing 4–7 at halftime, Heretics bounced back with coordinated defensive setups to secure a 13:11 win.
• Ascent — Heretics controlled both sides of the map, winning 13:8 in a commanding close-out.

Pick & ban summary:

• Bans: Heretics banned Icebox, Vitality removed Sunset
• Picks: Heretics picked Haven, Vitality went for Ascent
• Decider (not played): Lotus was left unplayed

Stat leaders:

• RieNs (Heretics): 24 kills, 298 ACS, 205 ADR, +9 round differential
• MiniBoo (Heretics): 26 kills, 281 ACS, 186 ADR, +9/+12 swing across both maps

The Heretics duo dismantled Vitality's double-entry setups, seizing map control through patient play and calculated aggression.

Updated Group Standings – After Week 3, Day 3

Group Alpha:

1. Team Heretics — 3 matches | 3–0 record | 6–2 maps | ≈ +12
2. GIANTX — 3 matches | 2–1 record | 4–2 maps | +11
3. Team Vitality — 3 matches | 2–1 record | 2–4 maps | ≈ +8
4. FUT Esports — 3 matches | 2–1 record | 2–3 maps | ≈ –15
5. BBL Esports — 3 matches | 1–2 record | 2–4 maps | –4
6. Gentle Mates — 3 matches | 0–3 record | 2–4 maps | –12

Group Omega:

1. Team Liquid — 3 matches | 3–0 record | 6–2 maps | +33
2. Fnatic — 3 matches | 3–0 record | 5–2 maps | ≈ +14
3. Karmine Corp — 3 matches | 2–1 record | 5–4 maps | +17
4. Natus Vincere — 3 matches | 1–2 record | 3–4 maps | ≈ –4
5. Apeks — 3 matches | 0–3 record | 2–4 maps | –25
6. Movistar KOI — 3 matches | 0–3 record | 1–4 maps | –35

VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 is an S-tier offline tournament organized by Riot Games, held in Berlin from July 16 to August 31, 2025. It features twelve EMEA teams, a Bo3 group stage, and a double-elimination playoff bracket, with the top two teams securing a spot at Valorant Champions 2025 in Paris.