Valorant’s EMEA Elite: Top 12 Teams You Need To Know!

by

Beginning today, January 15th, the initial international tournament for Valorant in 2025, known as the KICK//OFF event, will commence.

In this rephrased version, I’ve aimed to maintain the original meaning while making it more natural and easier to read by using a simpler structure and avoiding unnecessary formatting tags.

The Chinese division has been vying for championship points and a spot at the Masters in Bangkok since January 11th. Contrastingly, the EMEA league kicks off today.

The EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) group encompasses all the esports teams hailing from Europe, in addition to the top-tier teams originating from the Middle East and Africa.

In the upcoming season for the EMEA division, which squads are expected to rule supreme, who might emerge as unexpected contenders, and who are the influential figures guiding the professional teams? All these answers await you in the ensuing article.

The Top 6 Favorites:

Initially, let’s examine the leading four squads from the top six: FUT Esports, Team Vitality, Fnatic, and Team Heretics. These teams have secured a place in the second phase of the KICK//OFF competition thanks to their performance at the 2024 Champions finals.

They are considered particularly strong because they didn’t reach this exceptional feat by chance.

For the sake of understanding, we’ve separated our 12 EMEA teams into two groups: The Top 6 Contenders with Highest Potential Winnings and the Top 6 Rising Stars or Dark Horses. This categorization is based on the projected earnings each team has garnered thus far.

Yet, the outcomes remain unclear, and it’s important not to underestimate any team. In the international VCT-EMEA league, every professional squad competes with parity.

The final results are still up in the air, so no team should be overlooked. The international VCT-EMEA league is a level playing field for all pro teams.

FUT Esports ($409,236)

Individuals who follow competitive esports closely are likely to recognize the name FUT Esports. Established in 2020, this Turkish team has made its mark not only in Valorant but also excels in various other games such as PUBG, Hearthstone, FIFA, and Wildrift.

For quite some time, Rax was a member of the team. However, he decided to depart in late 2024, and since then, he has been actively streaming on Twitch.

Ready for #VCTEMEA

— FUT Esports (@FUTesportsgg) January 13, 2025

The all-Turkish team currently consists of:

  • qRaxs / Doğukan Balaban
  • MrFaliN / Furkan Yeğen / Captain
  • ATA KAPTAN / Ata Tan
  • yetujey / Eray Budak
  • xeus / Yusuf Doğan Gözgen

Team Vitality ($205,876)

Following their entry into Valorant in 2021, the French Team Vitality has swiftly climbed up the ranks, now firmly seated among the top 12 teams in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) division.

Under the guidance of Coach Daniel Hwang, also known as Faded, the mixed team is optimistic about securing a genuine opportunity to qualify for Paris.

when you have school photos at 4pm but you got VCT EMEA at 9pm…

— Team Vitality Valorant (@TeamVitalityVAL) January 13, 2025

The team currently consists of:

  • Kicks / Kimmie Laasner / Estonia
  • Sayf / Saif Jibraeel / Schweden / Captain
  • trexx / Nikita Cherednichenko / Russia
  • Less / Felipe de Loyola Basso / Brazil
  • Derke / Nikita Sirmitev / Finland

Fnatic ($1,318,026)

Established in London back in 2004, Fnatic has emerged as one of the leading esports teams globally, boasting more than 200 tournament victories across over 30 different games.

For example, they went undefeated in the 2023 VCT-EMEA League for over 11 consecutive matches.

The team is engaged in games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and Valorant. Notably, it ranks among the top ten most financially successful esports organizations globally.

time to see who THE classic god in fnatic really is

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) January 14, 2025

The team currently consists of:

  • Boaster / Jake Howlett / UK / Captain
  • Alfajer / Emir Ali Beder / Turkey
  • Chronicle / Timofey Khromov / Russia
  • kaajak / Kajetan Haremski / Poland
  • crashies / Austin Roberts / U.S.

Team Heretics ($782,894)

Established in Madrid back in 2016, the sports organization known as Team Heretics is based in Spain. They engage in competitive gaming across various titles including League of Legends, Valorant, and Fortnite.

RedBull has been an advertising partner since 2022.

After triumphing over GenG in a nail-bitingly tight match, we have become the first team to secure our place in the playoffs. #GoHeretics!

— Heretics Valorant (@HereticsVal) August 6, 2024

The team currently consists of:

  • Boo / Ričardas Lukaševičius / Lithuania /Captain
  • benjyfishy / Benjy David Fish / UK
  • MiniBoo / Dominykas Lukaševičius / Lithuania
  • RieNs / Enes Ecirli / Turkey
  • Wo0t / Mert Alkan / Turkey

Team Liquid ($568,104)

Globally recognized as Team Liquid, established in the Netherlands back in 2000, consistently makes its mark within the competitive world of esports. They ventured into Valorant gaming starting from 2020.

The team just grabbed the limelight after they managed to outplay an undefeated team, Fnatic, in the EMEA VCT 2023 finals. This victory marks their triumphant return to tournament wins, which hadn’t occurred for them in more than two years.

The team currently consists of:

  • nAts / Ayaz Akhmetshin / Russia / Captain
  • Keiko / Georgio Sanassy / UK
  • kamo / Kamil Frąckowiak / Poland
  • kamyk / Maksymilian Jan Rychlewski / Poland
  • paTiTek / Patryk Fabrowski / Poland

Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) ($172,566)

The renowned Ukrainian esports team, Natus Vincere (often abbreviated as Na’V i), has made a significant impact in the global esports scene and entered the Valorant arena as early as 2020.

With a seasoned team, they strive to conquer significant championships. Natus Vincere translates from Latin as “Born to Conquer. A lofty and inspiring slogan.

The team currently consists of:

The fresh lineup has returned with a fresh challenge – this round is titled VALORANT GeoGuessing!

Don’t miss our latest video, it’s available now!

— NAVI Valorant (@NAVIValorant) January 14, 2025

  • ANGE1 / Kyrylo Karasov / Ukraine / Captain
  • Shao/ Andrei Kiprskii / vertritt kein Land
  • hiro / Emirhan Kat / Netherlands
  • koalanoob / GianFranco Potestio / Canada
  • Ruxic / Uğur Güç / Turkey

The Top 6 Underdogs:

GIANTX ($26,179)

Established in 2008, the Spanish team GIANTX has rapidly gained recognition in the EMEA Valorant community.

Or:
Since its establishment in 2008, the Spanish team GIANTX has swiftly earned a reputation on the EMEA Valorant stage.

With their relentless playing style and strategic prowess, they’re a formidable opponent. Notably, though, the majority of the team are still relatively inexperienced, as only one member, Cloud, has played prior to 2024.

Manana 14:00H CET

— GIANTX (@GIANTXES) January 14, 2025

The team currently consists of:

  • Cloud / Kirill Nehozhin / Russia /Captain
  • purp0 / Semyon Borchev / Russia
  • runneR / Semyon Borchev / North Macedonia
  • tomaszy / Tomás Machado / Portugese
  • westside / Miłosz Duda / Poland

Movistar KOI ($6,556)

Established by well-known figures Ibai Llanos and Gerard Piqué, KOI has swiftly emerged as one of the most prominent teams within the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region.

With a strong fan base and strategic support, KOI has big plans for the future.

In January 2024, OverActive Media KOI and Movistar Riders will combine with MAD Lions. The merged team, Movistar KOI, will represent the Valorant Champions Tour in the EMEA region, while MAD Lions KOI will represent the Game Changers division.

Or, more informally:
In early 2024, OverActive Media KOI and Movistar Riders are teaming up with MAD Lions. The new alliance, called Movistar KOI, will compete in the Valorant Champions Tour for EMEA, while MAD Lions KOI will be our Game Changers division squad.

The team currently consists of:

  • Sheydos / Bogdan Naumov / Russia / Captain
  • GRUBINHO / Grzegorz Ryczko / Poland
  • Filu / Dawid Czarnecki / Poland
  • flyhu / Xavier Carlson / U.S.
  • soulcas / Dom Sulcas / UK

Gentle Mates ($48,689)

The French squad known as ‘Gentle Mates’ cemented their spot on the European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) stage by triumphing at the Ascension 23 competition. Notably, among all EMEA VCT 2025 participants, this team boasts the sole German player, who goes by the handle Click.

The team currently consists of:

  • kAdavra / Thomas Johner / France
  • Click / Haydem Ali / Germany
  • Minny / Patrik Hušek / Czechia
  • RobbieBk / Robbie Boerkamp / Netherlands / Captain
  • Zyppan / Pontus Eek / Sweden

Apeks ($81,137)

The Norwegian team Apeks stunned everyone by emerging victorious at the Ascension 24, securing a spot in the EMEA league for themselves.

Happy Holidays

— Apeks VALORANT (@ApeksValorant) December 24, 2024

The team currently consists of:

  • AvovA / Auni Chahade / Denmark
  • hype / Tautvydas Paldavicius / Lithuania
  • MOLSI / Michał Łącki / Poland / Captain
  • florescent / Ava Eugene / Canada

Karmine Corp ($37,516)

Based in France since 2020, Karmine Corp has rapidly emerged as a promising squad within the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) esports scene.

The team currently consists of:

  • marteen / Martin Pátek / Czechia
  • avez / Hazem Khaled / Egypt
  • Elite / Efe Teber / Turkey
  • SUYGETSU / Dmitry Ilyushin / vertritt kein Land
  • Saadhak / Matias Delipetro / Argentinia / Captain

BBL Esports ($136,764)

Established in 2018, the Turkish team BBL Esports has garnered recognition within the Valorant community and is considered one of the rising stars among the underrated teams.

Selam ya

— BBL (@BBL_esports) January 14, 2025

The team currently consists of:

  • LêwN / Burak Alkan / Turkey
  • Jamppi / Elias Olkkonen / Finland / Captain
  • PROFEK / Dawid Święć / Poland
  • sociablEE / Volkan Yönal / Turkey
  • chiwa / Egor Stepanyuk / Russia

Read More

2025-01-16 04:10