Fnatic has its second international VCT grand final in the bag already.
We have our first grand finalist for the VCT Masters Tokyo and it is none other than Fnatic, the reigning international champions who are looking poised to take their second title back to the EMEA. Fnatic took down Evil Geniuses in a brutal 2-1 finish, which handed the Americas League third-seed its first loss of the tournament.
However, EG was able to hand Fnatic their first map loss of the tournament, which goes to show that they are not fully unstoppable. With that crucial victory, Fnatic earned themselves a good three-day break before the grand finals on Sunday, 25 June. And regardless of who Fnatic play in the grand finals, it will be one of the three teams left in the tournament that they sent to the lower bracket.
The first map of the upper bracket final was on Lotus, chosen by Fnatic. And given how well Fnatic dominated Paper Rex on Lotus as its first map pick, they would go on to replicate that feat against EG. Fnatic started off by winning the first eight rounds alongside an additional two before the break, giving themselves a commanding 10-2 lead. Fnatic would go on to win their next three rounds out of four to secure game one.
EG chose Fracture for the second game, a map they have had great success with so far in the VCT Masters Tokyo. And this was evident with EG displaying extended periods of win streaks regardless if they were on the offensive or defensive. EG took nine of the first 12 rounds, include the last seven before the break. However, Fnatic would bounce back in the second half with four straight defuses. But alas, once EG ended the streak, it was over.
In the third and final match of the series to be decided on Split, Fnatic and EG were not giving up an inch in the fight, matching blow-for-blow with consecutive three-round win streaks on both sides to keep it at 6-6 by halftime. Fnatic started the second half strong, taking three rounds straight before they would start trading wins with EG until Fnatic claimed 13 wins to seal the deal.
With that loss, EG will drop to the lower bracket where they will face-off against the winner between Paper Rex and NRG.
