Little bit of both, but DRX played really well and are probably going to beat NAVI.

W DECIDER
W SERIES
W FINALS

Moreover, in VAL's short history this is the best map (arguably), series and finals EVER.

PEOPLE NEVER LEARN TO NOT CELEBRATE TOO EARLY HAHAHA

LOOOOOOOOOOL WTFFFFF

Why is it not possible

It's just not.

Actually nice, except for OpTic

I know this is all rumours, but it looks like a scary and unfair distribution for Japan.
Not seeing CR in the 10 is actually kind of shocking, and not even a mention of Northeption, which actually to me suggests that one of the Korean orgs that are going to be entering VALORANT for the first time with this opportunity got a deal with Riot, contingent on the signing of Northeption, which, what I assume, is being hinted at in the article:

with one of the LCK orgs being rumored to lean towards a Japanese roster.

Besides, President of Esports for Riot has acknowledged that VALORANT "is super popular there. [in Japan]", so I wouldn't be surprised for them to have Japan in scope for such a colossal partnership deal, at least more in scope than JUST 1 TEAM.

Also, intrigued and not too surprised with them giving this Indian org a chance, since they're already adding an Indian agent, it seems to me they're going to be trying to tap into the Indian market, too - the same way they're trying to get more Turkish players with the addition of Fade and hosting Champions in Istanbul.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

GG and congrats to LOUD, fucking respect Brazil!

While watching this match I realised two things.

1. This win is pure teamplay and composition diff, as well as confidence. LOUD were so composed and trading was impeccable. Also EVERYONE was fragging out: the difference between topfrag and bottomfrag was 4-6 on 3/4 maps, except for Ascent, where Sacy dropped a 32-bomb and everyone else had 18-21 kills. So it really shows just how much teamplay and communication matters in Valorant.
2. LOUD and OpTic came from the same group, so it makes you wonder how deep of a run ZETA could've made (if at all, reach playoffs) only if they had got an easier group, because to me it feels that, considering the two teams that eliminated them, 9-12th place doesn't feel right for them. But in the end fuck it what can you do it is what it is.

Church yo!

I'd say it depends, but in the end if you are having doubts about purchasing the Champs bundle, you should NOT do it.
Personally, I fell in love with it as soon as I saw the reveal, plus it feels timeless, like I'd be jealous in a year or two if I saw someone use it.

GG
RESPECT Brazil!

I think f0rsaken's PC has been keylogged and all his input got posted in this article and the official Riot announcement.

Because all I'm seeing are fucking Ws.

KJ turret bug. FPX win. Riot confused. Riot say "remake".
2 AM in Istanbul. XSET push OT. Holy shit not like this.
More OT. Zyppan. 16-14.
XSET lose twice.

And nobody knows what the fuck is going on.

4 teams, 4 regions in front of the biggest crowd yet. You just love to see it.

:(

GG

"Different year, same story" mfs when they realise that drawing far-fetched parallels is pointless.

https://www.vlr.gg/51272/kr-esports-vs-team-liquid-valorant-champions-opening-b
Oh, look at that, at Champs 2021 Liquid qualified through LCQ and were facing the top LATAM seed coached by Onur in their opening match.
And look, Liquid smashed them 2-0, so I guess the same thing is gonna happen this time!

https://www.vlr.gg/130618/leviat-n-vs-team-liquid-valorant-champions-2022-group-stage-opening-a
Oh wow, that wasn't supposed to happen, almost as if these two events are completely unrelated...

I don't think they should be apologetic for dropping them -- the situation should be abundantly clear to everyone by now.
I'm actually surprised to see NAVI not using this as an opportunity to drop the entire roster, I hope they can rebuild with Ukrainian and Eastern European players, considering the previous roster wasn't even close to being good to begin with. And they look like a great org for a franchising slot with a massive following and an established brand.

BROOO THAT'S FRACTURE IN A NUTSHELL RIGHT THERE LOOOOOL

Both parties only benefit. Riot are seemingly willing to cooperate with them, if those streamers take a chunk of the viewers from the main stream and cultivate a community that, through social media and the streams themselves, promote the game for $0 marketing expenses on Riot's side to potential customers of the skin market, it's only natural they'd support them.

deep exhale It is what it is.

Liquid looked like they haven't played VAL in 2 days. All the pieces are there, but they just couldn't put them together and it all looked sloppy.
I still believe in them though, so many easily fixable mistakes (communication, rotations, entry timings etc.)

He's close to going from eating cereal shirtless on stream to selling his own tarik x Valorant cereal.

No fucking around

Nah, I miss following CSGO Major group stage matches by scoreboard on HLTV back when it was really shitty and then rushing home from school to watch 4-5 years ago, that's core memory shit.

Liquid EDSHOT MASHINE LETS FUCKIN GOOOO

I was Serbian G2 fan, I loved Aleksib but he left G2 and I'm EDG Fan Now.
My New Name Is Méng qí·D·lù fēi (猴子 d 路飞),
我来自China，我最喜欢的球队是 Edward Gaming.
You Can Support EDG Like Me ,Come Join Us

I hope they tweak the branding a bit, as Pansy and others pointed out, because "Champions Champions" and "Masters Champions" don't exactly roll off the tongue, but maybe people will get used to saying "Champions" and "Masters" for those specific tournaments and use the word 'winners' for all other purposes.

Massive W for the scene though, consistent and transparent structure will yield stability, especially when it's extended 5 years into the future.