After four tough maps, FunPlus Phoenix defeated G2 Esports in the VCT 2022: EMEA Stage 1 Challengers Grand Final.
The grand finals featured a long-running rivalry between upper bracket finalists FunPlus Phoenix and a G2 Esports team that had just finished a lower bracket run. Since their previous meeting in 2021, which ended in a G2 win, both teams have made substantial changes.
First map Icebox
Icebox was the first map of the best-of-five, chosen by G2 as their strongest map. FPX stunned everyone when they showed up with a new composition starring Shao on Jett.
G2 won the pistol and anti-eco in the first round, prompting FPX to respond with two rounds of their own. G2 Esports overcame its weaponry deficit to earn a point. They lost the next round, but after Meddo created space for the team to secure the next, Mixwell dropped a fast 1v2 clutch. Unfortunately, that would be G2’s final round for a long time. FPX turned down many efforts to seize the site, notwithstanding the apparent care with which they were carried out. Mechanically, FPX routinely outperformed its competitors.
G2 had a ray of hope when Mixwell spotted ANGE1 scooping up an orb, giving them a man advantage, but Shao dashed any hopes with his stunning 4K. Following a 4K from SUYGETSU in the next two rounds, FPX finished their defense with an 8-4 advantage. On defense, G2 didn’t fare much better, losing the pistol and eco to FPX’s well-placed post plants. At 11-5, G2 requested a timeout after securing the following round. In the next round, the delay appeared to assist, but it was too little, too late, and FPX finished the map with two more rounds. Shao, who finished with a 2.6 KDA and 308 ACS, was the standout of Icebox.
Breeze
Breeze, the second map, was an unexpected choice from FPX, considering they had never played it against anybody outside of their region.
Round 1 appeared to be going G2’s way owing to a good defense, but Zyppan secured the pistol round with a 1v2 clutch. The following round, FunPlus Phoenix converted, but lost to G2’s complete buy round, signaling the start of the Europeans’ reversal. Through rapid rotations and well-connected kills, G2 was able to stay up with FPX. Even as FPX tried to pick up the tempo with a quick push in round 6, Mixwell was there to stop them with a dazzling 3K.
European side G2 rang in their eighth round in a row, and FPX had no reaction. The CIS squad hurried to the B location and used Viper’s pit to secure it. A recapture from G2 was challenging with two operators in hand. The following round, a lurk, and ace from SUYGETSU aided FPX’s comeback, resulting in a 7-5 halftime score for G2, and they swept their opponents off their feet in the first two rounds following the transfer. After a complete purchase, FPX was able to reply, resulting in a series of back-and-forth rounds. Hoody’s low-HP clutch allowed him to take match point, which was followed by the winning round.
There’s not really a secret because we were practicing really really hard, starting from when we just signed me, Meddo and hoody. We had some rough parts during the road but we always knew that we had it because we knew the results from pracc we got. We never managed to show it but when we start winning we understand that we can do it.
Daniil “pipsoN” Mesheryakov about the secrets of G2 Esports’s latest consistency
Ascent
In FPX’s following pick, Ascent, neither team was able to seize control of the game.
The CIS team scored a perfect in the pistol round and Shao promptly put an end to any G2 attempts in the next round. As a result, G2 sought to speed things up, but they only had one round of success because of FPX’s setups and timings. G2’s timeout at 1-4 temporarily changed the tables, but FPX held steadfast, denying AvovA’s clutch and an effort to take B site in round 8. FPX was always on the lookout for G2, wherever he went. At 7-3, FPX called a timeout, but G2 went on to win two more rounds before the switch. On their attack, FPX won the first two rounds, followed by a G2 triumph on their full buy. The rest of the map, FPX finished the game with a stunning ace by Shao.
Split
FunPlus Phoenix had reached the halfway mark of the series, and they had chosen Split.
G2 started off strong on defense, rapidly shutting down any FPX attempts to gain access to sites. SUYGETSU’s shenanigans almost earned FPX a round, but Mixwell thwarted the move. G2 extended their advantage to 7-0 after an FPX timeout at 0-5 failed to stop the hemorrhage. In round 8, the CIS squad reversed the tables and clawed their way back from catastrophe. The comeback was briefly halted by a Mixwell 3K, but FPX eventually closed the margin to a four-round disadvantage at halftime.
FPX’s defensive run was extended thanks to a 1v4 baddyG clutch. With two rapid rounds, G2 managed to break through, forcing an FPX timeout. FPX was revitalized and matched G2’s first-half performance, tying the series 12-12. In overtime, G2 appeared to have the map under control, but three straight rounds from FPX sealed G2’s demise at 16-14.
FunPlus Phoenix won Stage 1: EMEA Challengers and earned the top EMEA seed at Masters 1: Reyjkavik and €40,000 with their victory.
I don’t know what to say, there are so many emotions right now. I can’t believe that we are EMEA champions. There were so many things that went wrong in the last weeks and we managed to win the whole season. It’s like a dream come true: here we are, champions of EMEA!
Kamil “baddyG” Graniczka in the post-match interview.
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