Welcome, Valorant fans! The stage is set at VALORANT Champions 2025, running from September 12 to October 5, where the world’s best teams are battling for glory and a share of the season’s biggest prize pool. In the lower bracket of the playoffs, the Spanish powerhouse Team Heretics will face off against the rising European squad GIANTX. Heretics enter as clear favorites, boasting a perfect head-to-head record against their opponents, but GIANTX have shown the potential to challenge even the strongest teams. Let’s dive into their current form, map strengths, and what to expect from this high-stakes clash.
How bookmakers see it: Heretics favorite
In their playoff matchup against GIANTX, Team Heretics are regarded by bookmakers as the stronger side. The odds for a Heretics victory are set at 1.3, while GIANTX are given 3.3, reflecting their role as underdogs. A clean 2:0 win for Heretics is valued at 2.06, which underlines the expectation that the Spanish organization could secure a confident result if they manage to impose their tempo early.
GIANTX form: What result can be expected from GIANTX?
GIANTX entered the Valorant scene relatively recently — at the end of 2023, after the merger of two organizations, Excel Esports and Giants Gaming. Since then, the European team has quickly gained momentum, and by 2025 they earned the right to compete at the main event of the season — VALORANT Champions 2025.
The current GIANTX roster unites young and ambitious players: Kirill “Cloud” Nezhokhin — the reliable core of the team, combining sharp aim with disciplined play; Rokas “grubinho” Juskaukas — a fearless duelist, setting the tempo and creating space with his aggression; Emir “westside” Bekrić — a stable controller, locking down the map and holding off enemy pushes; Andreas “Flickless” Ayaz — a support whose precise use of abilities and timings helps teammates shine; Ara “ara” Azmun — a versatile player, adding flexibility to drafts and ensuring mid-round stability. The team is coached by Daniil “pipsoN” Meshcheryakov, known for his experience and ability to build systems where young players gain confidence and unlock their potential.
GIANTX roster: Cloud, grubinho, westside, Flickless, ara.
The 2025 season began successfully for GIANTX in the European league. At VCT EMEA Stage 2, they managed to break into the top tier and secure a slot at Champions. In the region, GIANTX proved they can compete with giants like Fnatic and Team Liquid. Against the backdrop of dominant favorites, their breakthrough became one of the biggest surprises of the season.
GIANTX’s statistics are also impressive: the team’s win rate in certain series exceeded 70%. They are particularly strong on maps where aggression and fast site takes matter most. However, the young roster still lacks stability in clutches and their international experience remains limited.
Even so, GIANTX started the group stage with a 2-1 win over Sentinels, followed by a close 2-1 loss to Paper Rex. In the decisive playoff qualifier match, GIANTX defeated XLG 2-0. However, in their first playoff match, they faced NRG and suffered a tough 2-0 defeat, which highlighted the gap between them and the more experienced contenders.
The team can fairly be called a “dark horse” of the tournament. With ambition, good form, and confidence, they are capable of delivering a bold performance. If they manage to maintain composure and make proper use of their strengths — aggressive style, flexible drafts, and powerful round starts — GIANTX has every chance to advance from groups and challenge the tournament favorites.
Team Heretics form: What result can be expected from TH?
Team Heretics in 2025 have shown impressive growth and consistency on the international stage. Their crowning achievement this year came at the Esports World Cup 2025, where they pulled off a remarkable reverse sweep against Fnatic in the grand final, winning 3-2. While they faced challenges in certain stages of VCT EMEA, particularly against top-tier rivals, the team often displayed commanding victories on maps where their strategies and communication shined brightest.
Heretics’ biggest strengths lie in their deep map knowledge and confident performances on their comfort picks. Their win rates are especially strong on Haven, Sunset, Ascent, and Bind. They’ve proven their ability to rally under pressure, as seen at the Esports World Cup, where after losing the first two maps they regrouped and clinched three straight wins. On top of that, their young roster brings a fresh flair of individual playmaking and quick reactions, especially in moments where controlling the pace of the game is critical.
The 2025 Team Heretics roster is built around their captain Boo, who dictates tactical rhythm and makes key decisions. He is supported by MiniBoo, a young and fearless player who adds aggression and creative plays. benjyfishy, known for his sharp mechanics and accuracy, is often the team’s primary fragging force and a cornerstone in attack. RieNs provides stability and discipline, helping to control the map and lock down vital positions. Finally, Wo0t rounds out the lineup with his fast reactions and ability to swing rounds with individual brilliance. This mix of leadership, youth, consistency, and aggression makes Heretics a highly versatile and unpredictable squad capable of surprising even the most seasoned opponents.
Team Heretics roster: Boo, MiniBoo, benjyfishy, RieNs, Wo0t
Despite their strong year, the start of the playoffs at VALORANT Champions 2025 turned into a shock for Heretics. In their opening match, they suffered a sensational 2-0 defeat to MIBR, a result that underlined how unpredictable the knockout stage can be and showed that even favorites are not immune to early upsets.
All in all, Heretics combine youthful potential with strategic resilience and adaptability. When they hit their rhythm — particularly on maps they excel at — they can challenge anyone. If they maintain form and cut down on mistakes in crucial matches, they stand an excellent chance of success at Champions and future top-tier tournaments.
Head-to-Head History
Team Heretics have a clear upper hand in their head-to-head history against GIANTX in Valorant. Across three official meetings — July 2024, April 2025, and most recently in August 2025 — Heretics secured victory every time. The Spanish organization not only holds a perfect 3-0 series record but has also shown consistency by taking six maps compared to GIANTX’s two. While GIANTX have managed to push matches to three maps in the past, the latest clash ended in a decisive 2-0 for Heretics, underlining their dominance in this matchup so far.
Players to Watch
Team Heretics: Wo0t — he earned the MVP title of the Esports World Cup 2025 final for his outstanding performance in the decisive matches.
What sets Wo0t apart is not just his ability to execute a role, but his knack for seizing initiative in the most critical moments. He can shift the course of a map with bold individual decisions and clutch plays. When everything is clicking for Heretics, it’s often Wo0t’s explosive impact that sparks their momentum.
GIANTX:Cloud – He is the most experienced and consistent player on the roster, the foundation on which the team’s structure is built. Cloud confidently handles key roles, combining aggressive pushes with careful map control. His reliable aim and composure in clutch situations make him the primary factor behind GIANTX’s success. For this young squad, he serves the same role as a captain on the field — setting the tempo, maintaining morale, and preventing the team from crumbling under pressure.
Match Prediction
The playoff clash between Team Heretics and GIANTX promises to be an exciting battle, but the balance of power clearly favors the Spanish organization. Heretics hold a flawless head-to-head record against GIANTX, having won all three of their previous encounters, and bookmakers also rate them as the stronger side going into this matchup. With their experience, deep map pool, and recent international success, Heretics have all the tools to dictate the pace of the game.
Main prediction — Team Heretics to win, with a strong likelihood of a 2:0 scoreline.
Galatasaray Esports12.11.2510:00Bo5
Eternal FireWatch match
