i deleted the last bit but the majority remains
LOUD @ Valorant Champions 2022 İstanbul, Türkiye
Roster: aspas (duelist), Less(sentinel), Sacy(initiator), pANcada(controller),saadhak(igl)
Record (Matches): 6-1(1 loss to OpTic in Group Winners)
Record (Maps): 14-3 (All 3 maps to OpTic, 2 in Group Winners, 1 in Grand Finals)
Result: 1st place (https://www.vlr.gg/130685/loud-vs-optic-gaming-valorant-champions-2022-gf)
Full-Year Analysis:
LOUD in 2022 was no doubt one of the most dominant teams. I will begin from the start of the 2022 season. In their own region, Brazil, LOUD breezed through their competition in groups stage. LOUD demolished everyone from their group, boasting a 4-0 record and a +58 round differential! (115/58) In playoffs, Loud didn't slack off. After their bye, they played Keyd Stars, a team that has represented Brazil internationally. In two quick maps, LOUD took down VKS. The first map, Breeze, ended 13-1! LOUD finished playoffs by cruising through the upper bracket. They went 3-0 in matches, and 8-0 on maps! This secured LOUD a spot in Masters 1: Reykjavik, an international tournament containing the best teams from across the globe. From the quarter-upper finals, LOUD brought their dominance to the arena. They defeated two of EMEAs best, Team Liquid and G2. They also took down NA's best team, OpTic. However, unfortunately for the Brazilian monarchs, the tournament didn't end their. OpTic came back through the Lower Finals to have a rematch against them. In this showing, OpTic won 3-0, crowning NA's first winner since Sentinels, conveniently, in Masters 2: Reykjavik 2021.
This wasn't the end of the world, though. There were still two internationals left in 2022, and LOUD was sure not to miss them. Returning back to Brazil for another group stage, they picked up right where they left off. LOUD once again went 4-0, this time with a +68 round differential. (108/44) The playoffs were the same exact story. No dropped maps, and headed off straight to the next international. This one, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, wouldn't have such a happy story. In the group stages off Masters 2, LOUD would face off against their continental rival, KRU. KRU defeated LOUD 2-1, and sent them into the Elimination round. You would think a team that had such great results against the best of their own region would have an easy time in the lower brackets, but the tournament had different plans for LOUD. In just their second match at Copenhagen, LOUD faced yet another rematch against OpTic. Once again, OpTic claimed victory against the Brazilians. This would be the worst placing LOUD had for the entire year.
LOUD has now placed 2nd and 11th internationally. There was only one tournament left before VCT 2022 was over, and it was the most important. This was VCT Champions. 16 teams from around the globe all facing off to crown themselves champions for the entire year. Luckily for LOUD, their dominance in Brazil had already earned them a spot in this tournament. September 1st was their first game. Their opponent was the 3rd place team from Masters Reykjavik, ZETA DIVISION. LOUD crushed the Japanese team and advanced to the advancement match. As if it was fate, their enemies this time was once again OpTic. OpTic took another victory against LOUD, increasing the head-to-head record to 3-1. Now, LOUD had one chance to make it to playoffs. Facing elimination, they didn't break a sweat. They once again defeated ZETA DIVISION and moved on to the playoffs. Now remaining are the 8 best teams in the world. From EMEA, was Team Liquid, a foe LOUD has already defeated, FNATIC, a well known and very strong team, and the scariest, FPX. FPX, shortened from FunPlus Phoenix, had won the tournament previous to this one. They were the #1 seed team from EMEA in Reykjavik aswell, but due to visa issues couldn't attend. Now, they looked to show why they held the #1 EMEA seed, and were one of the favorites to become champions. From NA was, of course, OpTic, and a newcomer, XSET. XSET had attended Copenhagen, where they placed 8th, dead last in playoffs. This time, though, they looked complete. They had made playoffs for a reason, one of which was defeating FPX. Representing LATAM was LEV, a team that had narrowly beat out KRU in the guaranteed spot of Istanbul. Finally, from Korea was DRX. They were arguably the best team in all of Asia. They had consistently placed in the top 5 of every tournament. LOUD would have to beat at MINIMUM 3-4 of these teams.
They did not dissapoint. LEV, LATAM's best was their first opponent. They won the series 2-0. Then they played DRX. Once again, they won 2-0. They looked unstoppable. But, as if they had jinxed it, their next opponent was none other than OpTic again! Their kryptonite had come to ruin their chance at a trophy. Yet, this time, LOUD took complete control. They slaughtered the NA powerhouse 2-0, including a 13-3 victory on Ascent. Now, LOUD had a day off to see who they would play in the Grand Finals. Making a great lower bracket run was DRX, who had taken down FNATIC and FPX. Of course, their opponent OpTic wanted nothing more than to make it back up to the Grand Finals and win their second trophy of the year. OpTic won that match 3-2. For the 6th time in just 3 tournaments, LOUD and OpTic faced off. This match mattered more than any of them. For OpTic, they would become not only the first team to win two trophies in a year, but to win to trophies AT ALL. For LOUD, this was a chance to prove they can win when it counts once again, and tie the head-to-head at 3-3. Map 1 was Ascent, one of LOUDs best and OpTics worst. Surprisingly, the match was very close, and LOUD only won 15-13. (Series LOUD 1-0) Next map was Bind, a map that OpTic had shown complete dominance on the entire year, even against the best of the best. Of course, they showed that dominance once again and won 13-6. Fun fact, I was mowing the lawn and listening to the broadcast for this map! (Series tied 1-1) LOUD once again had their map pick, Breeze. In a grueling match, they came out on top 16-14. (Series LOUD 2-1) LOUD was one game away from becoming champions. If they wanted to do it now, they would have to win on OpTic's pick, Haven. LOUD escaped the half leading 7-5. However, OpTic was now defending, and their team consisting of two sentinels would be a nightmare to try and attack. LOUD didn't care. They swept the second half 6-0 and won! After losing 3 straight matches to OpTic, they won a trophy against them.
The main reas
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