Fnatic Secures Undefeated Regular Season with Victory over NAVI in VCT EMEA

In the highly anticipated match on May 17, the top two teams in the EMEA region, Fnatic and NAVI, battled for the top seed in the VCT.

Fnatic, the LOCK//IN champions, entered the series with an undefeated record and maintained their flawless streak with a convincing 2-0 victory.

NAVI sought revenge against the team that eliminated them from the pre-season tournament, but they couldn’t overcome the formidable obstacle that Fnatic posed.

This victory solidifies Fnatic’s perfect 9-0 record, while NAVI concludes the regular season with a commendable 7-2 record. With Fnatic’s win, they retain their position as the top seed, while NAVI secures the second seed in the standings.

The agent select phase on Lotus was notably diverse, with nine different agents chosen by both teams.

The first half of the map demonstrated the closely contested nature of the series. Fnatic and NAVI exchanged rounds, resulting in a tied score of 6-6 at halftime. However, it was Fnatic’s superior performance in the duelist role that led to their victory on the map, finishing with a score of 12-9. Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev on Raze showcased exceptional skills, tying for the most kills in the lobby with 21, while NAVI’s Mehmet “cNed” İpek on Jett struggled, ending the map with only 6 kills.

In Split, Fnatic took an early lead, in contrast to Lotus where NAVI secured the first three consecutive rounds. The selection of Yoru by NAVI’s Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasjov added excitement for fans, but Fnatic had prepared for it. As the first half progressed, Emir “Alfajer” Beder on Cypher effectively locked down sites on the defensive side, countering any strategies devised by Ange1 and his Yoru using his traps and camera to their full potential.

Fnatic entered halftime with an 8-4 advantage, leaving NAVI in need of a different approach on the attacking side to stage a comeback in the map and the series. Despite winning the pistol round on the attack, NAVI faced a six-round deficit that proved insurmountable. The final score was 13-8, marking another decisive 2-0 victory for Fnatic against NAVI in their 2023 match history.

Both Fnatic and NAVI now await the regional playoffs to determine their future opponents and the possibility of a rematch between the two teams.