VCT EMEA Challengers 2 Group Stage concludes

Europe, Middle East, and Africa VCT Stage 2 Challengers Group Stage has come to an end, with the top six teams progressing to the playoffs.

Unlike its North American counterpart, the EMEA VCT Stage 2 Challengers were a lot more clear-cut, with the top teams far more apparent. The six remaining teams now look ahead to the playoffs, where three of them will earn a place at the Stage 2 Masters in Copenhagen.

Group A

Ascend, Fnatic, FOKUS, FunPlus Phoenix, G2, OG LDN UTD

There was a clear divide between the have and have-nots in Group A. Fnatic stormed to the group’s top seeding with a perfect 5-0 record. Behind them came Ascend, who only bowed to Fnatic with a 4-1 record. And bringing up the rear of qualified teams was FunPlus Phoenix with a 3-2 record. The rest of the group had a torrid time, with G2, OG, and FOKUS all only achieving a 1-4 record each. In G2’s case, this led to a little verbal sparring with American org Cloud9.

However, even amongst the qualified teams, there was still disparity. FPX were a far cry from the Fnatic powerhouse, as Fnatic look like favorites to punch their ticket to Copenhagen.

Qualified: Fnatic, Ascend, FunPlus Phoenix

Group B

BBL Esports, BIG, Guild Esports, M3 Champions, NAVI, Team Liquid.

In comparison to Group A, Group B was certainly more competitive, at least for the final qualifying spot. Guild Esports and Team Liquid ran away with the group, each finishing with a 4-1 record. Behind them came three teams — M3, BBL, and NAVI — who finished with a 2-3 record.

By virtue of the tie-break system, M3 were the lucky team with the losing record to make it to the next round of the competition. They did this despite losing their final match to Team Liquid while NAVI shocked the group by beating Guild in their final match. However, it is the relatively obscure M3 who progress.

As with Group A, there was a significant gulf between the top and bottom of the group.

Qualified: Guild Esports, Team Liquid, M3 Champions

EMEA playoffs

The remaining six teams enter the double-elimination playoffs, which begin on June 16. Ascend will face M3 for a chance to take on Guild. Elsewhere, Team Liquid face FPX with a match against Fnatic awaiting the winner. The playoffs run until June 26, when the EMEA champion will be crowned, and the top three teams will book their place in Copenhagen.

Header: Riot Games