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The action-packed day 1 of the VCT 2023 EMEA League will feature matches between some of the best teams in the region. Keep up with us as we dig deep into the kickoff game, KOI vs NAVI
Two teams consisting of former International LAN winners are going up against each other in the biggest stage of the game. This match-up should showcase Valorant at its best. The teams had no prior encounters. NAVI was considerably more successful than KOI in the past seasons, as the latter only participated in regional Challenges tournaments, while NAVI was among the top teams in the whole EMEA region. These stats, however, mean very little now, as both teams are coming into the franchise league with a completely revamped roster.
KOI
KOI might not have similar achievements in Valorant like some of the big names in the event, but that can change this season with them signing an excellent corp of players led by former G2 and Guild Esports player Jose Luis ‘koldamenta’ Aranguren. Despite all the potential, the Spanish org lost in the first round of the LOCK//IN event. However, we should take that early elimination with a grain of salt as it came against arguably NA’s best, NRG Esports. On paper, KOI are among the few teams to match both the firepower and experience of NAVI. We should expect anything but a one-sided clean sweep.
Players
Patryk ‘starxo’ Kopczynski
- Role: Flex
- The Spike Rating: 1.08
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 207.2
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.12
- Headshot Percentage: 22.9
- Average Damage per Round: 129.8
Jose Luis ‘koldamenta’ Aranguren
- Role: IGL, Controller
- The Spike Rating: 0.94
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 187.6
- Kill-Death Ratio: 0.98
- Headshot Percentage: 21.9%
- Average Damage per Round: 121.9
Berkant ‘Wolfen’ Joshkun
- Role: Duelist
- The Spike Rating: 1.25
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 235.8
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.19
- Headshot Percentage: 30.6%
- Average Damage per Round: 150.1
Nikita ‘trexx’ Cherednichenko
- Role: Initiator
- The Spike Rating: 1.26
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 253
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.35
- Headshot Percentage: 18.4%
- Average Damage per Round: 162.3
Bogdan ‘sheydos’ Naumov
- Role: Sentinel
- The Spike Rating: 1.18
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 237.3
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.38
- Headshot Percentage: 27.3
- Average Damage per Round: 153.1
Player to Watch
Wolfen, with his unpredictability and flashy plays, is perhaps the most entertaining Jett main in the region. Keep an eye on him, and you won’t regret it.
NAVI
Following their roster announcement in the off-season, NAVI were immediately hailed the strongest team in the EMEA region. The former FunPlus Phoenix roster, except Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks, were joined by the 2021 VCT Champions winner, cNed to make a super team. In the recent LOCK//IN event, NAVI dominated their bracket, winning all 3 series by 2-0 to qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs turned out to be the exact opposite experience as they got 3-0’ed by the eventual tournament winner, FNATIC. Although their aura of invincibility certainly got a hit following that defeat, NAVI might still have a slight edge against every team other than FNATIC, including KOI.
Players
Andrey ‘Shao’ Kiprsky
- Role: Flex
- The Spike Rating: 1.12
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 215.5
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.29
- Headshot Percentage: 28.7%
- Average Damage per Round: 141.2
Kirill ‘ANGE1′ Karasiow
- Role: IGL
- The Spike Rating: 0.93
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 194.8
- Kill-Death Ratio: 0.92
- Headshot Percentage: 31.1%
- Average Damage per Round: 125
Mehmet Yağız ‘cNed’ İpek
- Role: Duelist
- The Spike Rating: 1.3
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 263.7
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.39
- Headshot Percentage: 24.9
- Average Damage per Round: 160.8
Dmitry ‘SUYGETSU’ Ilyushin
- Role: Sentinel
- The Spike Rating: 1.09
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 216.4
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.25
- Headshot Percentage: 31.6
- Average Damage per Round: 141.4
Pontus ‘Zyppan’ Eek
- Role: Initiator
- The Spike Rating: 1.12
- Average Combat Score (ACS): 228.8
- Kill-Death Ratio: 1.13
- Headshot Percentage: 25.8
- Average Damage per Round: 149.8
Player to Watch
One wouldn’t believe SUYGETSU plays a sentinel role in the team seeing his stats. Watch out for him as we predict another showcase of insane mechanics from the 20-year-old.
VCT 2023 EMEA League- KOI vs NAVI Predictions
KOI are undoubtedly capable of causing an upset. But we will still go with NAVI to win 2-1 after a highly-competitive 3 maps.
Maps
If the map pool of both teams remains similar to the last event, NAVI will pick Haven, while KOI will go for Ascent. The decider map should be Pearl.
Score
Map 1: KOI to win with NAVI > 9
Map 2: NAVI to win with KOI < 10
Map 3: NAVI to win with KOI > 10
Series MVP
If cNed gets going, even the best teams in the world struggle to figure him out. There is a reason why the 21-year-old Turk has a reputation as the El Diablo of Europe.
VCT 2023 EMEA League- KOI vs NAVI Match Link
Check the official YouTube and Twitch channels of VCT EMEA to catch all the action from the KOI vs NAVI game.
If you are a fan of watch parties, check the tweet below and see if your favorite streamer is here.
Introducing your official watch party hosts for #VCTEMEA 🥳 pic.twitter.com/wx4kDHXBW3
— VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA (@valesports_emea) March 26, 2023
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