VALORANT: VCT EMEA 2025 Stage 2 Power Rankings

A leading quartet has emerged, with each team having won titles on major stages. At the same time, the race for mid-table consistency intensifies as the VALORANT season progresses towards Split 2, which kicks off on 16 July 2025. The goal for all VCT EMEA teams is clear: VALORANT Champions 2025 Paris.

The VCT EMEA Stage 1 champions, who were also the Masters Toronto and the Esports World Cup runners-up, claimed the domestic title with a 3–0 victory over Team Heretics, cementing their position as the top EMEA team in early 2025. Although they lost a thrilling final once again to TH at the 2025 EWC, their consistency and performance were strong enough to make them our favourite team in the region, with a balanced roster showcasing top-tier potential at every stage of the game.

The EWC champions and Master Toronto contenders, Heretics, finally broke their final-stage curse at the Esports World Cup 2025. They overcame Fnatic in a shocking 3–2 reverse sweep, having trailed by two maps. This victory marks their first-ever international trophy after falling short in both the 2024 Champions and Masters Bangkok Finals. Previously, they secured a solid third place at the VCT Kickoff and performed consistently well in Stage 1. TH, finding their form at just the right time, the team is now riding a wave of momentum and confidence.

At the start of the season, Team Vitality asserted European dominance by winning VCT Kickoff 2025 in Berlin, defeating Team Liquid in the Grand Final. Anchored by their elite Duelists and newcomers to this roster with Bartosz "Unfake" Bernacki and Blendi "KovaQ" Kovaci, they’ve displayed raw firepower and aggressive map control. Despite a hiccup in Stage 1, where they lost to FUT Esports in the first round of the playoffs, their resume alone keeps them firmly in title contention.

Team Liquid's season is built on a foundation of grit and adaptability. They have consistently outperformed expectations, despite a few close misses. The addition of Nikita "Trexx" Cherednichenko has injected renewed energy and firepower, reinforcing their Duelist core and enabling them to play more aggressively in the opening rounds. With Ayaz "Nats" Akhmetshin's leadership still at the helm and this upgraded roster, Liquid are serious Top 4 contenders in Stage 2 and beyond. The real test now is integrating Trexx’s playstyle. If it fits in, Team Liquid will have everything they need for a deep playoff run and a strong shot at qualifying for the Champions tournament.

After a disappointing first split, Karmine Corp got off to a good start in Stage 2 with impressive stats and a whole new look at EWC VALORANT. However, they lost against Fnatic, putting an end to their progress towards the title. Blue Wall must adapt to the meta consistently if they are to avoid mid-table obscurity. They must now finish in the top two to qualify for Champions 2025 in Paris, and that starts with an EWC rematch against Fnatic on July 18.

BBL Esports achieved a 5th–6th place at Kickoff and made a consistent push to the 4th position in the Stage 1 playoffs. With sharp individual aim, such as that of Volkan "sociablEE" Yönal, and solid team play, they are poised to sneak into the top six if they maintain their form. They have equipped themselves this season with strategic depth, stop-on-a-dime aggression, and individual performers who can steal critical rounds. Their recent victories and map control mark them out as ideal Top 6 contenders, a reputation they are steadily earning.

Natus Vincere's disciplined, tactics-first approach secured them a mid-table playoff run in Stage 1. However, they faltered in crucial moments, being eliminated by Fnatic and suffering early exits in the lower bracket. While their recruitment of Alex "alexiiik" Hawlasek hints at ambition, they will need more firepower to consistently breach the top six. While NAVI has laid a strong tactical foundation and shown mental growth, inconsistency and early playoff exits suggest that they are not yet elite. Their hopes for Stage 2 depend on whether the new roster can integrate quickly and elevate their fragging power. If they do, NAVI will have everything they need to climb into the upper-mid tier and beyond.

FUT's high-energy aggression continues to make them an unpredictable match-up powerhouse, capable of snatching maps off more established squads. The return of Mehmet "cNed" Yagiz Ipek, replacing of Ata "AtaKaptan" Tan, injects much-needed experience and precision into their pistol rounds and clutch scenario. However, to transition from spoilers to playoff locks, they must harness discipline, closing out tight rounds, refining mid-game executions, and reducing unforced errors. If they combine cNed's firepower with structured tactics under coach Ivan "Johnta" Shevtsov, FUT are poised to climb further, pushing firmly into the Top 6 mix in Stage 2 and beyond.

Gentle Mates remain one of the most dynamic underdog stories in the EMEA region. With their Duelist line-up led by Patrik "Minny" Husek, they are capable of taking down top teams thanks to their explosive strategies and perfect timing. Their BtcTurk GameFest win in this off-season demonstrates significant growth and proves that they are not just a bottom team. However, if they are to consistently challenge the elite in Stage 2 and beyond, they will need to refine their mental resilience, round management, and strategic consistency. If they can combine volatility with structure, the Gentle Mates have the potential to become regular playoff threats, or even surprise playoff contenders.

Movistar KOI's 2025 season has been more of a development challenge than a breakthrough. Although they have a strong brand and core roster, performance inconsistency and weak late-round execution have undermined their potential. To turn things around, they urgently need to regain confidence through structured practice and potentially scrim-heavy training; strengthen their mid-to-late round shot-calling and cohesion; convert strong individual plays into full-map victories, not just map flashes. KOI truly faces a make-or-break moment without a swift recovery in consistency, deeper Stage 2 runs.

GIANTX’s campaign has been a rollercoaster: they have been capable of dismantling elite opponents, yet have been unable to replicate those peaks consistently. Their Kickoff upset versus Karmine Corp hints at their raw potential, but their multiple early exits and negative round differential suggest underlying problems. Mid-stage roster upheaval confirms that the team lacks coordination and a clear tactical identity. For GIANTX to bounce back, they need tactical stability, structured team fights, and roster synergy. Otherwise, their season may be defined by one-off upsets rather than sustained improvement.

Apeks are at a critical juncture. Their early-season collapse highlighted glaring structural deficiencies, such as a mismatch between individual performances and collective strategy, mental fragility during clutch rounds, and a flurry of coaching adjustments. The Stage 2 roster rebuild is a cause for cautious optimism. The arrivals of Diogo "OLIZERA" Oliveira and Erik "Penny" Penny address both on-site leadership and dual-level lethality. However, roster revamps alone aren't enough. Their success will depend on their building tactical cohesion rapidly, establishing reliable mid-round calls, and cultivating a stronger mental game. Without these core improvements, relegation is a real risk, but if they can align these elements, Stage 2 could mark the start of their redemption narrative.