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EDward Gaming (EDG) secured their spot in the grand finals of VALORANT Champions 2024 with a 2-1 victory over LEVIATÁN in a tense three-map series that played out on Icebox, Lotus, and Abyss.
This victory sent the Americas top seed down to the lower bracket final.
THE VCT CN KINGS ARE MOVING ON!
EDWARD GAMING IS HEADED TO THEIR FIRST GRAND FINALS IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION! #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/yEQFJbItxF
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 23, 2024
The series kicked off on Icebox, a map that LEVIATÁN had favoured, having won their last three matches on it, all in overtime.
LEVIATÁN, starting on defence, dominated the first half, taking nine rounds, largely thanks to Roberto “Mazino” Francisco Rivas Bugueño’s strong performance on Harbor.
Despite EDG’s efforts, particularly in planting the spike seven times, they only secured one round in the first half.
However, EDG mounted a strong comeback in the second half, winning six consecutive rounds.
The teams were neck and neck until LEVIATÁN finally clinched a 16-14 victory in triple overtime, maintaining their unbeaten streak on Icebox.
EDG responded on their map pick, Lotus, with a dominant performance.
Starting on attack, they quickly established control, finishing the half with an 8-4 lead.
The second half saw more of the same, with EDG securing a 13-4 victory.
Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang, EDG’s star player, showcased his skills with Neon, while Zhang “Smoggy” Zhao led the server with 19 kills.
The final map, Abyss, was a nail-biter.
The first half ended in a 6-6 tie, and both teams fought fiercely in the second half.
EDG trailed 10-7 before calling their final timeout, after which they managed to tie the game at 11-11.
In the end, EDG closed out the map 13-11, earning their place in the grand finals, marking the first time a Chinese team has reached an international VALORANT grand final.
LEVIATÁN will now face the winner of the lower final between Team Heretics and Sentinels.
Team Heretics advanced to the lower finals by defeating Sentinels 2-1 in their elimination match at the INSPIRE Arena.
LOS NIÑOS KEEP THEIR #VALORANTChampions DREAMS ALIVE IN SEOUL!
TEAM HERETICS TAKE DOWN SEN CITY! #VamosHeretics pic.twitter.com/k6EXebk6Wk
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) August 23, 2024
In the Heretics and Sentinels match, Sentinels started strong on Haven, with Tyson “TenZ” Van Ngo leading the charge with 29 kills, securing a 13-8 victory.
Heretics bounced back on Icebox, winning 13-9 after a strong second half led by Ričardas “Boo” Lukaševičius.
The deciding map, Abyss, saw Heretics dominate with an 8-4 lead at halftime, eventually closing out the map 13-7.
Enes “RieNs” Ecirli and Dominykas “MiniBoo” Lukaševičius played crucial roles in securing Heretics’ victory and a spot in the lower finals against LEVIATÁN.
The lower final will determine who faces EDG in the grand final, with LEVIATÁN looking to avenge their earlier loss and Team Heretics aiming for a chance at the title.
The grand final is set for Sunday at 4pm KST.
VALORANT Champions lower final
- Leviatan (+100) vs Team Heretics (-138.89) @ 4pm KST
