DRX are the first of 16 teams to make it to the playoffs of Valorant Champions 2023

The group stage of the Valorant World Championship is in full swing, but despite this, several teams that have made it to the next stage have already been identified. The first of them are representatives from Korea - DRX, who secured two victories during the group stage.

DRX started their journey in the tournament as part of Group D, and not as favorites. Even though the Koreans are showing a high level of play, the group also includes reigning world champions LOUD and the equally dangerous Team Liquid. Nevertheless, stax and the team managed to surprise both their fans and opponents. In the first match, they defeated LOUD, albeit not without issues, but after 3 maps, DRX secured the victory. You can read more about the match in our report.

In the next match, the winners' match, which determined the first participant of the playoff stage, DRX faced the European team NAVI. The latter felt confident due to an easy victory over Team Liquid with a score of 2-0. However, their confidence did not help them, and as a result of three maps: Bind 15-13, Split 9-13, Lotus 14-12, DRX earned their second consecutive win, thus ensuring their first place in the playoff stage of Valorant Champions 2023.

Overall, DRX is a very unusual team. The team appeared on the professional scene only in 2022, but immediately began to dominate in their region. Although they haven't won at international tournaments, they have taken prize places, such as 3rd place at Valorant Champions 2022 and 3-4th place at VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo. Remember, before the start of the current championship, bookmakers gave the team odds of 26.00 for victory and ranked them 8th among all participants. So far, DRX is proving the bookmakers wrong and showing their best side. The team now has a break before the start of the playoff stage, which begins on August 16, giving them time to study their future opponents and watch them.

Also read: Everything you need to know about Group A of Valorant Champions 2023.