Idk without fnatic is it over ? EMEA tier 2 clears tier 1?
tier 1/2 line isn't that clear in valorant, there's teams that play like tier 2 in franchised, and teams that play tier 1 in franchised, KC and TH been playing sublime valorant, not giving them credit and giving them the shot to beat teams like LOUD and NRG is a bit crazy, if you beat FNC you can definitely give LOUD and NRG work
Not really, people forget that tuyz and cauauzin were challengers players and demon1 went from semifinals in Knights Monthly's to EG. EMEA just ended up making the right moves later and Americas did it earlier. Mechanics at the top aren't really that different, it's really more about working well in the system for a team and having a system that can adapt to a variety of high level opponents, most top tier teams have 3+ cracked aimers, even in Challengers.