LAX awaits: EMEA sends remaining Americas teams packing in speedy fashion
Both Natus Vincere and Fnatic were seen as the two favorites going into both of their series against Leviatán and 100 Thieves. However, nobody quite expected both teams to treat today's matches as if they were trying to help their opponents achieve a personal best at Games Done Quick. Today was not the result that many Americas fans were hoping for as EMEA most definitely won out on today's set of matches today.
As an European it was always hard for me to understand American culture. For example they like bragging about their freedom, which was weird, because I didn't think that I have any less freedom than them. After this game though I finally understand it. NA is just so free.
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) February 27, 2023
While it was certainly not a great day for the Americas, they can take some comfort in knowing that they were both responsible for two of the tournament's quickest individual games of VCT LOCK//IN. I know, it's probably not the type of record Americas fans were hoping for. But look on the bright side, at least it will make for some funny memes in the coming months. For that, as somebody from the Americas region, I am thankful.
I could go on and write to you about how Natus Vincere read all of Leviatán's plays on Split like a book or how Fnatic displayed immaculate team plays to take down 100 Thieves. Instead, I want to let you know that the record for the fastest game at VCT LOCK//IN belongs to 100 Thieves, who lost to Fnatic on Fracture in 14 rounds compared to Leviatán's 15 rounds against Natus Vincere.
On a serious note, today was an amazing showing from two of the tournament's heavy favorites, Fnatic and Natus Vincere. Natus Vincere truly had an amazing read on Leviatán's strategies on Split, which was by far the Americas team's strongest map. As for Fnatic, there really have not been any signs of trouble in any of their matches at the tournament as they have yet to drop a single map at VCT 2023: LOCK//IN.
Nikita "Agent 47" Sirmitev, aka @Derke. He is bald, wears a tuxedo and carries two chrome 1911 pistols with silencers. He is the most efficient and effective assassin of them all, he is a very well-trained and deadly killer who worked with the FNC. Did we mention he's bald? pic.twitter.com/2WF8WYVqnP
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) February 27, 2023
Both teams join Group Alpha's LOUD and DRX as the remaining four teams move forward into the VCT LOCK//IN semifinals. The final weekend of VCT 2023: LOCK//IN will begin on March 2, 2023, as LOUD and DRX battle for a spot in the Grand Final.
That will be followed by Fnatic and Natus Vincere on March 3, 2023. Finally, fans will be treated to a series of exciting games as the remaining two teams battle for the rights to call themselves the first international champions of VCT 2023, as well as an extra slot at VCT Masters: Tokyo on March 4, 2023.
Who do you think will come out on top in São Paulo? Can LOUD go back to back? Will anybody get beat worse than 100 Thieves today? Let us know who you think is the favorite to win the entire tournament.
You can watch the action unfold on VCT's Twitch and YouTube channels. For how all the VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo Omega matches played out, be sure to check out our article on who won each match.
Sage got his start in esports as a volunteer writer in 2016 for esports organization, Dignitas. Since then, he has continued to work on his craft as a journalist and reporter for a number of established esports publications, such as esports.gg, Unikrn, Akshon Esports, Howla, The Player’s Lobby, Nerd Street Gamers, and most recently Dot Esports. Now, as a member of Esports Illustrated’s content team, Sage’s primary duties are centered around creating groundbreaking written and video content about the esports industry that impacts the community in a meaningful way. Sage graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Informatics. There, he was a member of the Rutgers Esports Executive Board, both as the head of the fighting game community and a videographer/photographer for the Content team.