Valorant Champions Tour 2021: Stage 2 Reykjavík
Tournament Info, Day 1 Recap, and Betting Predictions
What a time to be alive. Valorant’s first major international tournament in Iceland launched today and did not disappoint. This is a 10 team double-elimination event. All matches are Best-of-3, except for the grand final, which will be Bo5. 1st place will net a cool $200k, with $100k to 2nd, $80k to 3rd, and $60k to 4th.
I’ll hit the highlights from today and cover tomorrow’s matches and give you my predictions and what I’m looking to bet.
*SPOILER ALERT*
May 24, 2021: Day 1 Recap
Match 1: Fnatic (EMEA) vs KRU Esports (LATAM)
FNC made quick work of KRU, take the series 2-0. They dropped the first two eco rounds of Map 1 on Haven, but then went on to win the next 10 in a row decisively, closing it out 13-5.
Map 2 took us to Icebox where Fnatic again dropped the first two eco rounds to KRU, proceeding to win the next 10 in a row. I feel like I’ve seen this movie before…FNC takes Icebox 13-4.
Derke earned the match MVP coming up huge on the Jett, doing some sick anime shit flying through the air, throwing his knives, and fragging out for the boys.
In conclusion, KRU are eco heroes. While they did get mollywhopped, they showed GRIT and proved they can scrap with some of the world’s best.
Match 2: Version1 (NA) vs Crazy Raccoon (JP)
V1 swept Japan’s Crazy Raccoons 2-0 to keep America undefeated against the Japanese. Remember WWII? LOL GG EZ USA USA USA!!!
Match 3: Sharks Esports (BR) vs NUTURN Gaming (KR)
This series was a banger and finally went the distance, with Korea’s Nuturn coming away with the W, 2-1. Brazil’s Sharks arguably dominated Map 1 on Haven, to everyone’s surprise, taking Game 1 13-5. Nuturn took out Korea’s top team in Vision Strikers to be here and proceeded to lay an egg in their first game. Maybe they were just Jett-lagged….#PDJ
Map 2 was a different story. Korea’s Nuturn put the sharks in the spin cycle with their teleporter play on Bind. It was as frustrating for the Sharks as trying to catch an Abra in Cerulean City when you were 7. Nuturn dominated Game 2, claiming Bind 13-5 to tie the series and take us to Match point on Ascent.
It would appear the sleeping giants of Korea finally woke up and made quick work of the Brazilians to close out the series emphatically 13-5 once more. Nuturn will advance to take on the winner of Team Liquid and Version1 on 5/25.
May 25, 2021: Day 2 Matches and Betting Picks
Match 1: Team Vikings Gaming (BR) vs X10 Esports (SEA)
Pick: Vikings -1.5 (-275)
If you didn’t get on this line last night at around -200, it’s likely a stay away, unless you love drinking juice. Vikings are in the upper echelon of teams at this tournament and X10 is arguably the worst team here.
Match 2: Team Liquid (EMEA) vs Version1 (NA)
Pick: TL -1.5 (-175)
TL is head and shoulders the best team here, save for Sentinels. ScreaM and Jamppi are cracked my guy. V1 did beat up on Crazy Raccoons yesterday (as they should have), but will run into a wall today against Europe’s, and perhaps the world’s, finest.
Match 3: Sentinels (NA) vs Fnatic (EMEA)
Pick: Sentinels ML (-135) // O2.5 (even)
This is perhaps the best match we’ll see all day. This is the best line you’ll get for Sentinels likely all tournament long. However, there’s value on the over 2.5, if you believe Fnatic can win or steal a map. Given the implied odds of FNC at +1.5 (-310), why would you NOT just bet the over?? I’ll also be rocking with the boy TenZ and hoping for a 2-1 Sentinels victory / double winner.
Match 4: Sharks Esports (BR) vs KRU Esports (LATAM)
I’m not betting this clown fiesta match, but it should definitely be entertaining.