A standout performance from Keloqz caps off an utterly dominant performance from Heretics against Karmine Corp.
The VCT EMEA Super Week has come to a close and we were treated to an absolute clinic in how to play VALORANT in the form of Heretics vs Karmine Corp. Below you will find a full account of all of the action from today's match.
Team 1 | Team 2 | Map 1 | Map 2 | Map 3 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team Heretics | Karmine Corp | Heretics 13 - 5 (Icebox) | Heretics 13 - 2 (Split) | N/A (Lotus) | Heretics (2 - 0) |
Heretics redeem themselves to secure first win of the season
This was the second both teams' second match of the VCT EMEA league. Karmine Corp came into this match after a hard-earned 2 - 0 victory over BBL Esports earlier in the week. While it got rough for them at times in their previous match, especially on Icebox which went to sets of Overtime rounds, Karmine's well-rounded team showed that they posses plenty of grace under pressure. Something which could have served them well in their match today. But that was the least of their problems against Heretics.
Heretics got off to a rocky start to their season following their resounding 2 - 0 loss to FUT Esports in their first match. Though they were seen as possible contenders for a Masters spot this season, their performance against FUT left much to be desired. On paper they were certainly a match for Karmine Corp. But their inconsistencies since the roster's formation had cast a shadow of doubt around their odds for success today. Something that Heretics seemed to have sorted out as they waltzed past Karmine Corp to secure their first win of the season, in what was meant to be an all-out grudge match between two fierce rivals.
Heretics VALORANT roster:
- Ricardas "Boo" Lukasevicius (IGL)
- Wassim "Keloqz" Cista
- Óscar Canellas "Mixwell" Colocho
- Alexander "Zeek" Zygmunt
- Auni "AvovA" Chahade
Karmine Corp VALORANT roster:
- Adil "ScreaM" Benrlitom (IGL)
- Nabil "Nivera" Benrlitom
- Ryad "Shin" Ensaad
- Alexis "Newzera" Humbert
- Alexandre "xms" Forté
Heretics makes quick work of Karmine Corp on Icebox
We start with a trip to Icebox for Map 1, curtesy of Heretics. And we are treated to a bit of a surprise from Karmine Corp as they decide to use a comp consisting of Shin on Gecko, Newzera on Viper and xms on Harbor. Heretics starts off with a bang to take the first couple of rounds, only for Karmine to respond with a Wingman clutch to get themselves on the board. But Heretics come back swinging as they take an early 5 - 1 lead in commanding fashion. Heretics continue to pile on the pressure, with Karmine struggling to make a solid hold on their defence. Karmine does manage to get three rounds on the board, but it does little to hold back the fury of Heretics as they end the half down 9 - 3.
Karmine Corp wins the first two rounds of the second half to give themselves a chance at a comeback. But Heretics respond well in the succeeding two re-establish their lead at 11 - 5. Heretics hits match point with Karmine scrapping the barrel in terms of their economy. It was a one-sided map from the start, and it ended as such with Heretics annihilating Karmine Corp 13 - 5 on Icebox. Giving them a well deserved 1 - 0 lead in the series.
Keloqz makes short work of Karmine Corp on Split.
After a resounding victory on Icebox for Heretics the teams now head to Split. And this time it is Heretics who decide to bust out an unusual team comp as the elect not to run an initiator as part of their double-duelist setup, with Mixwell playing Sage as well.
Heretics continue their dominance from Icebox as they take the opening pistol round as well as the second round on Split. Karmine manages to get their first round on the board soon after but this map bears a slight resemblance to how Icebox went as Heretics begin to pile on the pressure. Keloqz, who was already having a standout performance in this series, was continuing to make his presence known across the map. The lead continues to grow for Heretics, who's players are unafraid to take their opponents head on. Made even more impressive due to their lack of an initiator for post-plant site retakes.
Heretics takes an overwhelming 10 - 2 lead in the first half, and it feels as though the Karmine Corp players are in need of a miracle right now. They take the second pistol round and hits match point soon after. Karmine Corp made an attempt to try and get another round on the board, but ultimately fail to take the clock into account as Heretics still ends up taking Split 13 - 2 to cap off an utterly dominant 2 - 0 win in the series.
Where to watch Heretics vs Karmine Corp VCT EMEA:
It is a new era for the VALORANT Champions Tour as we get set for the first season of Franchising. The VCT season will see 30 teams split into three region-based leagues of 10 teams, competing for the chance to secure a spot at both Masters Tokyo in June and Champions 2023 in August. Fans who wish to watch the Heretics vs Karmine Corp match in the 2023 EMEA League may do so by heading to the VCT EMEA Twitch and Youtube Channels.
You can catch all the EMEA action and live results on our VALORANT EMEA hub.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and VALORANT coverage throughout the VCT 2023 Season.