GTZ Esports and FOKUS will meet in the first semi-final of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: EMEA Play-In. Both teams have won their groups, but the Portuguese have not lost at all so far.
As for FOKUS, to a certain extent they bounced back in the group stage as they lost to Team RA'AD and only went straight into the play-offs by the round difference.
Still, in my mind, the Portuguese look a little more confident, especially since the Long Corner of the tournament shows how charged the team is. So here I would lean on the GTZ Esports team to win.
GTZ Esports uniforms
The seventh team in the European ranking finished second in the VALORANT Challengers 2023 Portugal: Tempest Split 1, but still decided not to change the line-up.
As a result, the Portuguese squad still finished second at the VALORANT Challengers 2023 Portugal: Tempest Split 2, again suffering crucial defeats to SAW.
As for their performance in the group stage of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: EMEA Play-In, GTZ Esports secured victories over MOUZ and S2G Esports to advance to the play-offs.
GTZ Esports latest results:
- A 0-2 loss to SAW.
- Victory over EGN Esports by a score of 3-2.
- A 0-3 loss to SAW.
- A 13-9 win over MOUZ.
- 13-11 win over S2G Esports.
GTZ Esports top scorers:
- Bind - 100% wins.
- Pearl - 100% wins.
- Ascent - 93% wins.
- Split - 60% wins.
It should be reminded that the Portuguese team hardly ever appears on the Bind map.
FOKUS Form
The 25th ranked team in Europe took second place at the end of VALORANT Challengers 2023 Northern Europe: Polaris Split 1, expectedly Ledge and Apeks.
The Danish-British team came second again in VALORANT Challengers Northern Europe 2023: Polaris Split 2, where they lost again to their main rival.
What's more, FOKUS didn't play their best in the group stage of VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: EMEA Play-In, where they even led the way to Team RA'AD, but still came out on top in the play-offs.
Latest FOKUS results:
- A 0-2 defeat to Les Petits Bouffons.
- A 2-0 win over Les Petits Bouffons.
- 1-3 defeat to Apeks.
- 13-15 defeat to Team RA'AD.
- 13-7 victory over GMT Esports.
FOKUS top scores:
- Bind - 100% wins.
- Fracture - 89% wins.
- Haven - 50% wins.
- Split - 50% wins.
- Ascent - 50% wins.
Interestingly, the Danish-British team also usually avoids appearing on the Bind map.
GTZ Esports - FOKUS match statistics
The teams have not met before.
GTZ Esports - FOKUS match prediction
To be honest, after shaky play in the group stage, I don't have much faith in FOKUS. Yes, the Danish-British team has a decent lineup, but they look a little too sleepy at the moment.
In turn, GTZ Esports surprised with a sharp Long Sogpeg and a good game. And in fact, the Portuguese can continue to surprise even further. Therefore, in this case, I would recommend betting on a win for the GTZ Esports team.
