A fairy tale run by NRG led the NA Organisation to lift their first ever VCT title with the most impressive one of all. VCT Champions Paris.
The surprise story of Champions Paris is a surprise no longer. NRG have toppled FNATIC in a thrilling 3–2 showdown, giving in-game leader Ethan his second Champions trophy and securing the organization’s first-ever international title. The best-of-five final unfolded across Corrode, Lotus, Abyss, Ascent, and Sunset, with NRG selecting Corrode and Abyss while FNATIC picked Lotus and Ascent. NRG stormed through the opening two maps with 13–3 and 13–6 wins, but FNATIC roared back with a miraculous 15–13 comeback on Abyss after trailing 11–1, and followed up with a 13–8 win on Ascent. In the decider, though, NRG regained control, dominating Sunset 13–5 to capture the 2025 Champions crown.
The series opened on Corrode, where NRG unveiled a double-Initiator setup featuring Ethan on KAY/O, while FNATIC opted for double-Controller with Boaster on Astra. FNATIC took the opening pistol behind crisp post-plant play, but Ethan’s 4K quickly swung the momentum. A crafty bait from s0m and skuba followed by a clutch sealed NRG’s first-half dominance, sending them into halftime with a 9–3 lead. The second half was a formality—NRG’s clever A-site rewrap won the pistol and they closed the map 13–3 in emphatic fashion.
FNATIC tried to reset on Lotus, where both teams ran Raze compositions but differed on Sentinel choice—NRG with Vyse and FNATIC with Killjoy. NRG once again claimed the early rounds behind brawk’s devastating Odin play, tearing through FNATIC’s setups. A single thrifty round gave FNATIC a brief spark, but s0m’s consistency and clutch holds kept NRG well ahead. Even after losing a 5v3 opportunity, FNATIC couldn’t find their footing, and NRG closed another 9–3 half before sealing the map 13–6 to go up 2–0.
Abyss became FNATIC’s last stand—and the stage for one of the most remarkable comebacks in VCT history. FNATIC ran a Waylay composition with Breach and Astra, while NRG stuck to a Harbor comp featuring mada on Yoru. NRG again looked unstoppable early, taking a 9–3 half and extending it to 11–1 with sharp defense. But when all seemed lost, FNATIC began to claw their way back. Chronicle’s four-piece in the pistol lit the spark, and kaajak’s consistency kept it burning. Round by round, FNATIC chipped away at the deficit until crashies’ stunning 4K forced overtime. In OT, kaajak and Chronicle finished the miracle comeback 15–13, keeping FNATIC alive and sending the crowd into chaos.
With renewed confidence, FNATIC entered Ascent determined to push the series the distance. Their unorthodox double-Sentinel composition with Sage and Vyse began to pay off, as Alfajer thrived on Sage and Boaster’s calls kept the pace high. After an even start, FNATIC broke through and closed the half 8–4 on attack—a rare feat on the defense-favored map. Boaster’s celebratory Macarena after winning the second pistol captured the moment perfectly. Although NRG pushed back with sharp post-plant setups, FNATIC’s resource management and composed defense sealed a 13–8 win, tying the series 2–2 and setting up the grand finale on Sunset.
Sunset, a map that had troubled both teams throughout the season, would decide it all. FNATIC went aggressive with a double-Duelist setup, moving Alfajer onto Neon, while NRG stayed grounded with their Breach composition. FNATIC struck first with a clean pistol round thanks to Boaster’s perfect blind and Alfajer’s triple, but NRG immediately countered and started stringing rounds together with disciplined post-plants. Once again, NRG built a commanding 9–3 halftime lead—their third of the series—and this time, there would be no collapse. FNATIC managed to steal a pistol and a few rounds after the break, but NRG’s coordination was unshakable. Ethan and skuba pushed them to match point, and mada’s final retake sealed the 13–5 win and the Champions 2025 title.
It was heartbreak once again for FNATIC, who reached three international grand finals in 2025 but couldn’t capture a single trophy. Still, their resilience, creativity, and thrilling comeback on Abyss ensured they went down fighting. For NRG, this was a statement victory—the culmination of a season of growth and grit. brawk earned Champions 2025 MVP honors with a 1.27 rating, +23 K/D, and 84 kills at 151 ADR, proving his mastery of the Odin was a genuine competitive weapon, not just a gimmick.
Once viewed as long shots, NRG have now risen to the top of the world, etching their name into VALORANT history as the 2025 Champions
Valorant Digest 
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