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VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ Predictions- Favorites, Dark Horses, Early Exits

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VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ Predictions- Favorites, Dark Horses, Early Exits

In this article, we present to you our VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ predictions

As the last major qualifier events approach for the 2023 VCT Champions, the LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier) marks the final opportunity for teams to secure their spot in the prestigious event.

In contrast to the other two regions, EMEA has two Champions spots allocated, thanks to FNATIC's victory at Masters Tokyo, granting the region an extra slot. In addition, only six teams will be participating instead of seven due to Team Vitality's withdrawal from the event. This decision stems from the tragic and untimely passing of one of their players, Karel “Twisten” Ašenbrener. 

With the event scheduled for July 19, only a few days remain before we get to see the clash of the region's top teams vying for the coveted spot in the last major event of the year. Keep with us as we delve deep into our EMEA LCQ predictions and unveil the potential winner, dark horses, and early exits of the highly anticipated event.

EMEA LCQ Predictions

Credit: Riot Games

VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ Predictions- Winner

Below are our prediction for the winner of the EMEA Last Chance Qualifier:

NAVI

  • Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov (IGL)
  • Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky
  • Pontus “Zyppan” Eek
  • Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin
  • Mehmet “cNed” Yağız İpek
  • Erik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren (Head Coach)

NAVI is by far the strongest team that has yet to secure a spot in the VCT Champions. The Ukranian org fielded arguably the strongest roster for the 2023 season. Although their performance in the VCT EMEA League may not have met initial expectations, they managed to secure a place in Masters Tokyo, finishing in 4th place. However, since only three Champions spots were up for grabs for the EMEA region, NAVI could not secure one as they were eliminated in the event's group stage.

With LCQ on the door, NAVI have arrived in Berlin as the absolute favorite. ANGE1 and Co have a near-flawless record against their competitors, with four wins and one loss. 

There are numerous compelling reasons to predict NAVI as the potential champions of the LCQ. Their roster possesses an extraordinary level of firepower that surpasses the competition by leaps and bounds. Players like SUYGETSU, Shao, and cNed are all exceptionally gifted individually, and with a veteran IGL like ANGE1 leading them, you can safely bet on them.

VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ Predictions- Other Favorites

These are the teams that stand out as favorites to win the upcoming VCT EMEA LCQ:

Giants Gaming

  • Emir “rhyme” Muminovic (IGL)
  • Adolfo “Fit1nho” Gallego
  • Žygimantas “nukkye” Chmieliauskas
  • Aaro “hoody” Peltokangas
  • Kirill “Cloud” Nehozhin
  • Daniil “pipsoN” Mesheryakov (Head coach)

In addition to the clear favorite NAVI, Giants Gaming emerge as another choice to triumph in the LCQ event. The European powerhouse had a decent season so far, reaching the playoffs stage after a successful regular season.

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Fun fact, four out of five Giants’ League Stage wins came against the very teams they are now set to face in the upcoming LCQ. However, the rationale for including them on the list of favorites extends beyond this. Giants Gaming boast a well-rounded roster that excels in every aspect of the game. While few teams can rival NAVI's firepower, Giants Gaming demonstrated in their League Stage encounter that they can go toe-to-toe with them, coming incredibly close to victory before ultimately falling short.

While Giants can win it all, their success hinges on the crucial factor of maintaining consistency, which was missing from them in the recently finished EMEA League.

VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ Predictions- The Dark Horses

Here are the other promising contenders to watch out for:

BBL Esports

  • Ibrahim “SouhcNi” Sağır (IGL)
  • Mehmet “Turko” Özen
  • Ali “AsLanM4shadoW” Osman Balta
  • Eren “Brave” Kasırga
  • Doğukan “QutionerX” Dural
  • Arda “Epic” Yıldız (Head Coach)

The Turkmens from BBL Esports are the very definition of dark horses. Always the underdog in most of the matches, they can shock any team in the world on their day. We witnessed this firsthand in the recent VCT EMEA League, where they gave many top teams a run for their money. Especially coming strikingly close to toppling the reigning champions and indisputably the best team globally, FNATIC, is a testament to their potential.

With the Last Chance Qualifier for the Champs about to start, we predict BBL Esports to have a deep run. The Turkish squad, renowned for their unconventional style, may not be the best team tactically, but their relentless, over-aggressive approach poses a formidable challenge for any opponent. 

KOI

  • Jose “koldamenta” Luis Aranguren (IGL)
  • Patryk “starxo” Kopczynski
  • Bogdan “sheydos” Naumov
  • Nikita “trexx” Cherednichenko
  • Berkant “Wolfen” Joshkun
  • André “BARBARR” Möller (Head Coach)

After their disastrous performance in the EMEA League, KOI are coming into this event with minimal expectations. However, we believe that this star-studded team of Europe has the potential to deliver an extraordinary performance.

Despite winning only two matches out of eight in this season, there is no denying that KOI possess one of the most formidable lineups in the EMEA region. Prior to the season's start, they were regarded as equals to the likes of FNATIC and NAVI. The triumph over NAVI to start the League stage validated their potential and further solidified their reputation. However, KOI experienced a downward spiral, winning only one match thereafter and finding themselves at the bottom of the league standings.

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However, we are basing our prediction of KOI being a dark horse solely based on the strength of the roster. Starting the Last Chance Qualifier with diminished expectations and reduced pressure from their fans could be the catalyst they need to find their footing and reach the level of play befitting their talent.

VCT 2023 EMEA LCQ Predictions- Early Exits

These are the teams predicted to make quick exits:

Karmine Corp

  • Ahmed “ZE1SH” El Sheikh (IGL)
  • Adil “ScreaM” Benrlitom
  • Nabil “Nivera” Benrlitom
  • Alexandre “xms” Forté
  • Ryad “SHIN” Ensaad
  • Arthur “pm” Guillermet (Head coach)

Clearly the worst-performing team in the EMEA League, Karmine Corp leave little room for optimism regarding their chances in the upcoming event. Despite KCorp holding a favorable head-to-head record against their first opponent, BBL Esports, our prediction is that they face early elimination from the Last Chance Qualifier without clinching a single series victory.

To back our prediction, we simply need to look at Karmine Corp’s performance in the regular season. It would be an understatement to describe their performance as anything less than abysmal, as Scream and Co became a subject of ridicule within the community due to their amateurish errors during the games. Coupled with the series of demoralizing defeats, the situation worsened when newzera chose to depart from the active lineup. He was later replaced by assistant coach ZE1SH, who is also expected to play in the LCQ.

Despite the desire of the Valorant community to witness a remarkable comeback from the beloved sibling duo of Scream and Nivera, the current circumstances surrounding the team, coupled with their performance, make such a resurgence highly improbable.

Team Heretics

  • Ričardas “Boo” Lukaševičius (IGL)
  • Oscar “Mixwell” Cañellas
  • Auni “AvovA” Chahade
  • Cista “keloqz” Wassim
  • Benjy “benjyfishy” Fish
  • Neil “neilzinho” Finlay (Head coach)

It comes as a surprise that Team Heretics, composed of accomplished Tier-1 players boasting experience on Valorant's grandest stages, performed disappointingly in the league stage of VCT EMEA. Despite the presence of zeek, VCT 2021 Champions winner, as well as the formidable former G2 Esports duo of Mixwell and keloqz, the team failed miserably, resulting in a joint last-place finish alongside KOI and Karmine Corp.

Before heading into the Last Chance Qualifier, Team Heretics have announced their decision to replace zeek with former Fortnite star, Benjyfishy. While the outcome of this roster adjustment remains uncertain, our prediction leans towards an early departure for the Spanish org.

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