The Valorant Champions Tour 2025 EMEA promises to be exciting and captivating, considering that 11 out of 12 teams have made roster changes. Among the most notable transfers are Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev, Matias "Saadhak" Delipetro, Felipe "Less" Basso, and others. In this article, we summarize the transfer window in Europe and gather the opinion of Vladyslav "arch" Svystov, a former Natus Vincere player and now a representative of B8 Esports.
In this article:
- Natus Vincere
- Last Chance for Gentle Mates
- Will Karmine Corp’s Investment Pay Off?
- Team Heretics' Inactivity Will Give Them an Edge
- Can Fnatic Manage Without Derke?
- Is Team Vitality the Strongest Team in EMEA?
- Apeks' Gamble
- Main Contenders for Victory in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025: EMEA Kickoff
- Overhyped and Underrated Transfers in EMEA
- New Season – Valorant Champions Tour 2025
Natus Vincere
One of the major focuses after the transfer window opened was on NAVI's roster. Their unsuccessful 2024 season, where the team failed to qualify for any Masters or Champions events, led to three key roster changes: Dmitry "SUYGETSU" Ilyushin, Pontus "Zyppan" Eek, Ardis "ardiis" Svarenieks, and head coach Oliwer "LATEKS" Fahlander all departed the team.
Well, he outplayed us all again. pic.twitter.com/vFUGRHS2AC
— NAVI Valorant (@NAVIValorant) December 3, 2024
Although the organization tried to keep the names of the new players a secret until the end, insiders revealed the 2025 NAVI Valorant roster a month before the announcement. The lineup includes legendary player and two-time CS Major winner Vincent "Happy" Schopenhauer as the head coach and three young, promising talents.
NAVI had a disappointing season in 2024. Will the three roster changes and the new coach have a significant effect, considering that none of them, except for hiro, have experience on the Tier-1 scene? Will the team be able to return to competing in international events?
VALORANT is a really young scene and T1 scene didn't really form yet. Heretics is big example for all of us. In 2023 4 out of 5 players were competing in Tier 2 level and in 2024 they managed to place 2nd twice in international big events, this is huge. Experience is important, but in VALORANT it doesn't mean much, you don't need to have 5 players with huge experience. So having good experienced IGL (ANGE1 in this case) + fraggin and experienced Shao, and on top of this Happy on a coach slot is more than enough, so changing lineup and mixing it up with 3 strong youngsters is a really good choice by them. It's really hard to answer if they would be able to dominate in EMEA and win International events. This offseason many teams did a good job in terms of scouting so only time will tell. But for sure they have a promising roster.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Ange1 and Happy are two titans of the Counter-Strike world with many years of experience. Do you think they can find common ground and build a team without competing for leadership?
No doubt about that, they are both professionals. Happy can be that deciding factor that will boost NAVI and make them great again.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Ange1 turned 35. Don't you think that 2025 could be his last season as a player if the results are again as disappointing as in 2024?
I think ANGE1 would play as much as he wants and feels it. I don't think he cares much about him being 35. He can still shoot and perform not worse than other youngsters on his role. I might not like some stuff (the way they played last year), but I respect Kyrylo a lot and still think he is one of the best IGLs not only in the EU, but in the world.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current NAVI Valorant Roster for 2025:
Last Chance for Gentle Mates
Gentle Mates, the winners of VCT Ascension 2023 EMEA, earned a slot in the Valorant Champions Tour for 2024 and 2025 but had a disappointing debut season. Their best result of the year was 7th-8th place in VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 1. A second poor season could cost the organization its VCT slot, prompting drastic measures, including parting ways with four players and the coaching staff. For the 2025 season, their minimum goal is to outperform Apeks to remain in the league. Here’s what arch thinks about it:
For Gentle Mates, 2025 could be decisive in the VCT partnership league, especially considering its bad results in 2024. How high are the chances for the new roster to outperform Apeks this season to keep the spot for another year?
To be honest i think Gentle Mates will be better than APEKS this season, i don't hesitate on that. Would be happy if my friend Michal MOLSI would prove me wrong.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current Gentle Mates Valorant Roster for 2025:
Will Karmine Corp’s Investment Pay Off?
After one of their best seasons in 2024, Karmine Corp decided to completely rebuild their roster. The team signed stars like Matias "Saadhak" Delipetro, Champions 2022 winner with LOUD, the individually skilled Dmitry "SUYGETSU" Ilyushin, and young talents Efe "Elite" Teber and Hazem "avez" Khaled.
On paper, this is one of the strongest rosters Karmine Corp has ever assembled, with a real chance of qualifying for their first Champions. The experience of Andrey "Engh" Sholokhov, who placed second at Champions 2021 with Gambit Esports, and Champions 2022 winner Matias "Saadhak" Delipetro, should greatly aid their efforts.
Karmine Corp is seriously focused on success in 2025. Will their investment in the new roster with SUYGETSU and saadhak pay off? Will the team, under saadhak's leadership, be able to qualify for Champions for the first time?
Not sure about this. Don’t have any thoughts on that, for me its 50/50.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current Karmine Corp Valorant Roster for 2025:
Team Heretics’ Inactivity Will Give Them an Edge
Team Heretics had an incredible scouting session before VCT 2024, signing four rookies who had never played at a Tier-1 level. They delivered a phenomenal season, finishing second at both Masters Shanghai and Valorant Champions. Following the transfer window, the management decided to make no changes, keeping the roster intact. This decision is expected to give them a significant advantage over the other 11 teams in the EMEA region, all of which made at least one change, with some undergoing four.
Team Heretics had a great season in 2024 and decided not to change their roster. How could this give them an advantage over other VCT EMEA teams that made significant changes to their rosters?
It will give them a big advantage, because they have already been playing for a long time together and they are even used to switching comps a lot. Don’t forget, that teams now gonna prepare a lot for Heretics and will do their best to try to beat them. But i am confident, that Heretics would be on top of EMEA another season. Let’s see.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current Team Heretics Valorant Roster for 2025:
- Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius
- Benjy "benjyfishy" Fish
- Dominykas "MiniBoo" Lukaševičius
- Enes "RieNs" Ecirli
- Mert "Wo0t" Alkan
Can Fnatic Manage Without Derke?
After their legendary 2023 season, where Fnatic was considered one of the strongest teams and a favorite to win Valorant Champions 2023 (though they finished 4th), the team faced difficulties. At the end of the season, Leo "Leo" Jannesson was benched due to health issues, forcing the team to find a replacement. Emirhan "hiro" Kat stepped in but decided not to extend his contract after competing at Champions 2024. Later, one of the best duelists, Derke, was benched and expressed his desire to join Team Vitality. Kajetan "kaajak" Haremski has been brought in to replace Derke, but only time will tell if he can deliver the same performance.
Fnatic said goodbye to one of the best duelists, Derke, replacing him with kaajak. Does kaajak have the potential to perform at the same high level as Derke? Could this transfer be considered a mistake?
Kajaak is the best young prospect in T2 in EMEA, he had insane season and he impressed me a lot. His mechanics are ultra sharp and he for sure has a bright future. It would be hard to replace Derke, one of the best duelists in the world. I am curious myself to see how kajaak and FNATIC will perform in 2025.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current Fnatic Valorant Roster for 2025:
Is Team Vitality the Strongest Team in EMEA?
Team Vitality's transfer strategy this year is nothing short of impressive. They have managed to build one of the best rosters in the EMEA region, signing former world champion Felipe "Less" Basso and one of the top duelists, Nikita "Derke" Sirmitev—just the type of player they needed to elevate the team.
This roster has fans placing high hopes on Team Vitality in the EMEA region. It will be fascinating to watch their performance in 2025 and see if they can live up to these expectations.
Can Team Vitality, with Derke and Less, reach a new level and become serious contenders for spots at Masters and Champions in 2025?
Vitality is probably the strongest team in EMEA on paper, i think everyone already wants to see them in action. They have literally everything (in terms of players) to compete for the trophies.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current Team Vitality Valorant Roster for 2025:
Apeks' Gamble
Apeks made history as the first team to sign a player from Game Changers, marking a significant year for the Valorant discipline. The 2025 season will be their first in the Valorant Champions Tour, earned through their victory at VCT Ascension EMEA 2024, but it could also be their last if they perform worse than Gentle Mates. Ava "florescent" Eugene, who dominated the Game Changers scene, is one of the best players there, but the gap between Game Changers and the VCT is considerable, making her performance hard to predict.
Florescent in Apeks. Can Ava make a strong debut in VCT EMEA, considering the huge gap in competition between VCT and Game Changers?
It wont be as easy as it was in GC. Its a completely different level.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
Current Apeks Valorant Roster for 2025:
- Auni "AvovA" Chahade
- Tautvydas "hype" Paldavicius
- Michał "MOLSI" Łącki
- Ava "florescent" Eugene
Main Contenders for Victory in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025: EMEA Kickoff
On January 15, the first tournament of the new season in Valorant will begin — the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025: EMEA Kickoff. Given the numerous changes in the rosters, it is difficult to predict which two teams out of the twelve partner clubs in EMEA will come out on top. One team that stands out is Team Heretics, as they are the only team with no changes. However, most teams will be able to easily adapt to their playstyle, which may create difficulties for them in their first tournament of 2025. It is also worth paying attention to Team Vitality and Karmine Corp: although the latter didn’t show convincing performance at Red Bull Home Ground #5, their roster looks strong enough to compete for spots at Masters and Champions.
VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff starts in January. Which two teams do you think have the best chances to qualify for Masters Bangkok?
I will go for Vitality and Heretics, but it won’t be like that most likely haha.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff Participants
Overhyped and Underrated Transfers in EMEA
Regarding underrated and overhyped transfers, we fully agree with Vladyslav "arch" Svistov’s opinion. He identified Xeus, who joined FUT Esports, as one of the underrated players. Doğan "xeus" Gözgen is a player who was scouted by many organizations but couldn’t join European rosters due to his poor English skills. As a result, he was signed by FUT Esports as one of the most talented players.
As for overhyped transfers, Dmitry "SUYGETSU" Ilyushin, who moved to Karmine Corp, is a prime example. The team aims for Masters and Champions, but the player himself showed average statistics over the past year with NAVI. Perhaps his performance will improve in the new team.
Feel the fear. 🇹🇷
— FUT Esports (@FUTesportsgg) October 19, 2024
Please welcome @xeus1tap, the newest and final member of our VCT 2025 roster! pic.twitter.com/XyLstdgw0P
A lot of changes have happened during this transfer window. Which transfer is underrated, and which one is overrated in the community?
xeus for FUT is underrated i think, people doesnt know yet how good is that guy. I dont know which one is to choose for overrated one, but if i have to then suygetsu to KCorp.Vladyslav "arch" Svistov, ex-NAVI, B8 Esports
New Season – Valorant Champions Tour 2025
The new season begins in January 2025. It has been announced that the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025: EMEA Kickoff will take place on January 15. Twelve teams will compete for two slots at Masters Bangkok and EMEA Points. The top two teams in EMEA Points will qualify for Champions 2025.
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