After a standout performance in the EMEA Stage 3 Challengers, Team Mandatory has secured a spot at the upcoming VALORANT Ascension EMEA tournament. The French squad successfully navigated the group of death, ahead of top contenders BBL PACFIC and Enterprise Esports, winners of the two previous editions of the competition. This achievement is especially significant for Mandatory, as they had never previously won a domestic title and lost five finals of France’s Challengers league. By finally breaking through on the international stage, Mandatory has reignited hope among its fans, signaling that the team is ready to compete for a spot among VALORANT’s elite.

Conquering the Toughest Group

Mandatory's path to Ascension began in Group A of the EMEA Challengers Stage 3. This group was immediately dubbed the most competitive in the tournament. Group A featured BBL PACFIC's intensity, Enterprise's gameplay, and the French team's momentum, meaning even the slightest misstep could be costly. Only the top team from this high-pressure pool would advance to the playoffs, raising the stakes for every match. Mandatory rose to the challenge spectacularly. They opened with a stunning 2–0 victory over BBL PACIFIC, winning 13–11 on Corrode and 13–6 on Lotus. Notably, both BBL PACIFIC and Enterprise Esports had already secured their spots in the Ascension event through regional success, highlighting the significance of Mandatory’s performance.

The French team's second match was against Enterprise Esports, a powerhouse from the Northern/Eastern Europe region. Mandatory came out swinging, taking the first map, Haven, 13–11, and shocking Enterprise early on. Although Enterprise won the next two maps and the series, Mandatory’s win on the first map guaranteed that they would finish the group stage in first place based on tiebreakers. Mandatory therefore, outlasted both BBL and Enterprise to top Group A, proving themselves to be the most consistent team in the group. This clutch group-stage victory secured Mandatory's spot in the EMEA Challengers playoffs and ultimately qualified them for Ascension.

A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

For Team Mandatory, this qualification is a significant achievement after years of close calls on the domestic front. The organization has consistently competed at the top level of the French VALORANT scene, but has struggled to win championships. Before this run, Mandatory was still chasing their first title, having lost four grand finals in the past three years, including two to rivals Joblife. Their most recent heartbreak came just weeks ago in the Challengers France Split 3 Finals, where they lost 0–3 to Joblife and settled for second place. Despite these setbacks, Mandatory has shown resilience and growth. They earned their spot at the EMEA Stage 3 event as the second seed in the French league, carrying a wave of positive momentum into the international competition.

Advancing out of such a lethal group has undoubtedly boosted the team’s confidence. This is a validating moment for veterans like team captain Damien “HyP” Souville, star Duelist Cista “Keloqz” Wassim, and coach Kevin “madC” Ducourtioux, who have worked tirelessly to bring Mandatory to the top. Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about Mandatory’s potential. This achievement has done a world of good for the team's morale, transforming the narrative from one of repeated disappointment to one of hopeful ambition. It gives hope back to Mandatory and its supporters, suggesting that the squad may finally be ready to claim a major title.