This weekend we saw the conclusion of the biggest VALORANT event to date, First Strike. We had Team Heretics dominate Europe and 100 Thieves destroy North America’s best, to be crowned champions. Here is the First Strike EU & NA recap article.
First Strike EU & NA – Finals Standings + Winnings:
Europe:
- 1st – $40,000 – Team Heretics
- 2nd – $20,000 – SUMN FC
- 3rd-4th – $10,000 – G2 Esports
- 3rd-4th – $10,000 – FunPlus Phoenix
- 5th – $5,000 – Team Liquid
- 6th – $5,000 – Orgless
- 7th – $5,000 – Purple Cobras
- 8th – $5,000 – Nolpenki
North America:
- 1st – $40,000 – 100 Thieves
- 2nd – $20,000 – TSM
- 3rd-4th – $10,000 – Team Envy
- 3rd-4th – $10,000 – Sentinels
- 5th – $5,000 – Immortals
- 6th – $5,000 – Renegades
- 7th – $5,000 – T1
- 8th – $5,000 – FaZe Clan
How did they do it?
Europe:
Heretics kicked off the main event with a 2-1 win over Team Liquid in the QuarterFinals. This win was not only considered an upset, but a direct message of fear to the G2 esports lineup which was next up in the Semifinals. The Semis was as close as it could get as Heretics took the first map (Ascent 13-10) and G2 replied with a 13-5 win of their own on the 2nd map (Bind). Lastly, in the final map, it took every single round to be played for Team Heretics to win the first ever best of 3 series versus the former kings of Europe. With this win, they were confirmed a spot in the Grand Finals, matching up against SUMN FC.
Grand Finals
SUMN FC had pulled off an upset of their own, as they beat FunPlus Phoenix in a best of 3 as well to get to the Finals. Heading into the Grand Finals, maps were as follows: Ascent, Icebox, Haven Bind, and for a 5th, Split.
The first map was super one-sided as Team Heretics took the win on Ascent 13-1. SUMN immediately replied with a win of their own on Icebox, ending the match 13-7. On Haven we saw another dominant Heretics performance as the match finished 13-5. And in the 4th map, which was a series point for Heretics, we saw all round being played for Heretics to be crowned champions of Europe.
North America:
100 Thieves started the event with a dominant win over T1 in the Quarterfinals, winning both maps 13-10. 100 Thieves then played versus Sentinels which were one of the favourites at the event. The series was close, but in the end, 100 Thieves were stronger, and won the bo3 2-1 in their favor. This win secured their spot in the Grand Finals versus their new rivals, TSM.
Grand Finals
Heading into the Grand Finals, everyone watching was aware of TSM’s dominance in previous events. However, 100 Thieves was the team that eliminated TSM from the first qualifier to the North American First Strike event.
100 Thieves kicked off the finals with an overtime win on Split (15-13). They then played on Bind which was another close win, as they finished the match 13-11. TSM then took a map of their own as they concluded Ascent 13-7 in their favor. Lastly, 100 Thieves played out a dominant Attacker side to win (13-7) the final map of the series and become First Strike champions of North America.
First Strike has certainly introduced some new storylines with regards to the esports side of VALORANT. With new rivalries being created, and new teams reaching the top (as we saw with Europe) VALORANT esports is only in its infancy, and 2021 will certainly deliver more action.
Be sure to keep yourself updated on www.esportsguide.com for more esports news!
