Welcome, Valorant fans! The playoffs of VALORANT Champions 2025 are heating up, with the world’s top teams vying for the prestigious title of “Global Valorant Champions” and a substantial prize pool. One of the most anticipated matchups in this stage features Europe’s elite Fnatic going head-to-head against North American powerhouse NRG. Both squads have demonstrated impressive form throughout the season, and this clash promises high-level competition, strategic depth, and thrilling moments. As the series approaches, we’ll break down likely map picks, current team performance, and the key players who could make all the difference in this exciting showdown.
How bookmakers see it: Fnatic favorite
According to the bookmakers, Fnatic are considered the favorites in their upcoming clash against NRG at VALORANT Champions 2025. The odds are set at 1.70 for Fnatic, while NRG stand slightly behind at 2.05. On the map total, betting lines suggest a competitive series: over 2.5 maps is valued at 1.91, while under 2.5 maps sits at 1.81.
Both teams are among the strongest contenders of the tournament. Fnatic have demonstrated remarkable consistency, defeating DRX 2-1 and Paper Rex 2-1, even while playing with a substitute due to Alfajer’s hospitalization. NRG, on the other hand, showed resilience with wins over GIANTX 2-0 and MIBR 2-1, proving their capability to adapt to different playstyles.
Given Fnatic’s experience on the big stage, their composure in tight rounds, and historical advantage in head-to-head clashes, they are favored to take the series.
Fnatic form: What result can be expected from Fnatic?
Fnatic in the 2025 season continue to be one of the strongest teams on the international stage. In the VCT EMEA league, they consistently finished at the top, often defeating opponents like Team Liquid, Natus Vincere, and Karmine Corp. Their biggest regional success came during Stage 1, where Fnatic claimed the title with a 3-1 victory in the finals. On the international scene, the team also showed strong results: they finished 2nd at Masters Toronto, losing in the final to Paper Rex, and reached the final at the Esports World Cup 2025, falling 2-3 to Team Heretics. These results make Fnatic one of the clear favorites for VALORANT Champions 2025.
Each player in the team has an important role: Boaster leads the team and sets the strategy, Alfajer reliably holds positions and wins crucial rounds, Chronicle plays flexibly in different roles and supports the team in tough situations, kaajak adds aggression and can turn rounds, while crashies is consistent and secures key trades. Together, they form a team with both individual skill and teamwork, making Fnatic very dangerous on the map.
Fnatic roster: Boaster, Alfajer, Chronicle, kaajak, crashies
Fnatic’s main strengths are their flexibility and teamwork. They can change strategies from map to map, adapt to their opponents, and stay calm in high-pressure moments. Their experience at Masters Toronto and the Esports World Cup 2025 helps them approach major tournaments with confidence.
The start of the VALORANT Champions 2025 playoffs proved their strength once again. In their opening match, Fnatic faced DRX in a tense best-of-three series. After trading maps, Fnatic showed composure and confidence on the decider, ultimately closing the match 2-1 and advancing further in the playoff bracket. They followed this up with another hard-fought 2-1 victory against Paper Rex. Remarkably, this success came despite playing with a substitute, as Alfajer was hospitalized and unable to participate. Overcoming these challenges, Fnatic demonstrated their depth and resilience, reinforcing their status as one of the prime contenders for the championship title.
NRG Form: What to Expect from NRG?
NRG has long been considered one of the flagships of the North American Valorant scene. Despite frequent roster changes, the club has consistently competed in VCT tournaments and remains among the contenders for top positions in the region. The 2025 season began with a refreshed lineup, built on a balance of experience and youthful talent.
The current NRG roster looks as follows: Ethan “Ethan” Arnold — a reliable and experienced player whose composure in clutches has often saved the team; Sam “s0m” Oh — one of the best duelists in the region, known for his aggressive style and ability to apply pressure from the very first rounds; Ross “mada” Nielsen — an explosive and creative playmaker capable of turning the tide with unexpected moves; Alan “brawk” Widmann — a stable support, shaping the team’s structure and creating opportunities for teammates; Brendan “skuba” McGrath — a versatile controller who provides consistency in rounds and balance for the whole roster. Behind the lineup stands a coaching staff focused on discipline and strategic flexibility, which allows NRG to remain competitive on the global stage.
NRG roster: Ethan, s0m, mada, brawk, skuba.
In the first half of the 2025 season, NRG competed at VCT Americas Stage 1 and Stage 2, proving they can fight on equal footing with the strongest teams in the region and securing a slot at Champions. At the start of VALORANT Champions 2025, they already made their presence known with a 2-0 victory over EDward Gaming and a 2-1 win against DRX. Building on that momentum, NRG defeated GIANTX 2-0 in the playoffs and overcame MIBR 2-1 in a tense series, confirming their ability to adapt to different styles and remain dangerous against both European and South American opponents. These results demonstrate that the team is gradually hitting its stride at the most important stage of the season.
Overall, NRG can be described as a team with a solid core, blending aggression with discipline. The roster features players capable of winning matches through individual skill, as well as experienced performers ensuring stability. If the team manages to keep their composure in the playoffs and improve consistency on new maps, NRG has every chance to aim for top placements and contend for the status of one of the world’s elite teams.
Head-to-Head History
Fnatic and NRG have faced each other in an official BO3 only once — at VCT Masters Tokyo 2023 in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals (June 17, 2023). In that match, Fnatic secured a confident 2-0 victory over NRG, winning 13-9 on Fracture and 13-4 on Bind, leaving the overall head-to-head record at 1–0 in favor of Fnatic.
Players to Watch
Fnatic:Chronicle — Chronicle has become one of Fnatic’s key players in 2025. He reads the game well, helps the team make the right decisions during rounds, and can quickly react in high-pressure situations.
When Fnatic need to win an important round or map, Chronicle often takes the initiative. He coordinates the team, calls tactics, and decides when to play aggressively or when to hold back. His actions often determine the outcome of crucial moments.
NRG:Ethan — the most experienced and reliable player on NRG, whose career in both Valorant and previously CS:GO has made him a true veteran of the scene. Within NRG, he acts as the team’s glue: helping build strategy, taking on key initiator and support roles, and staying ice-cold in clutch situations. His game sense, ability to read opponents, and consistency in aim make him the primary factor behind the North American squad’s success. If Ethan is in good form, NRG can confidently battle even the top tournament favorites.
Probable Map Picks
In the upcoming BO3 between NRG and Fnatic, the veto process will play a decisive role. Fnatic are traditionally strong on Lotus and Haven, while also showing solid form on Ascent. NRG, on the other hand, have looked confident on Sunset and Bind, but can struggle on Ascent against top-tier opponents. With this in mind, Fnatic are expected to ban Sunset to limit NRG’s options, while NRG may remove Haven to avoid Fnatic’s comfort map. That would likely lead to Fnatic picking Lotus, NRG opting for Bind, and Ascent or Abyss being left as the potential decider. Given Fnatic’s past head-to-head success, they hold a slight advantage, but NRG’s map pool makes this matchup far from one-sided.
Anything else catch the eye?
This matchup is not just another playoff series — it’s a high-stakes battle for a place in the grand final of VALORANT Champions 2025. Both Fnatic and NRG have shown resilience and top-level form, making this encounter particularly intriguing. Fnatic’s ability to perform under pressure, even with a substitute in the lineup, highlights their depth and strategic versatility, while NRG’s aggressive, adaptable style ensures no map will be straightforward. Expect crucial rounds to be decided by individual brilliance, coordinated team plays, and mental composure, as the winner of this series will secure a coveted spot in the championship decider. This added significance makes every map, every clutch, and every tactical decision all the more impactful.
Match Prediction
The clash between Fnatic and NRG is set to be one of the key highlights of the playoffs. Both teams have shown strong performances at VALORANT Champions 2025, but Fnatic enter this matchup with more consistency and proven results on the international stage. Their victories over DRX and Paper Rex — even while playing with a substitute — underline the team’s depth and ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Historically, Fnatic hold the edge in the head-to-head, having defeated NRG 2-0 back at VCT Masters Tokyo 2023. While NRG’s refreshed roster brings firepower and unpredictability, Fnatic’s balance of experience, flexibility, and composure in decisive rounds makes them the clear favorites.
Main prediction — Fnatic to win the series
