The first week of the VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 group stage is coming to an end. One of the final matches will feature a clash between NAVI and Fnatic. Below, we’ll break down the current form of both teams and try to predict the outcome.

Current Form

NAVI

One of the most well-known Ukrainian esports organizations, Natus Vincere, still can’t seem to find a winning formula for its Valorant roster. Since the beginning of 2025, the team participated in the VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff qualifiers, where they performed poorly and finished 9th–12th, missing out on Masters Bangkok as a result. In their last five matches, NAVI have secured only one win — against Gentle Mates and suffered four losses to Fnatic, Karmine Corp, Team Vitality, and KOI.

This isn’t the first time NAVI have had a rough start to a season. Last year, their results were also rather mediocre, ultimately missing four international events - one of the worst records among VCT teams.

Fnatic

On the other side of the server stands another storied organization — Fnatic, whose Valorant team was once one of the strongest in the world. But after a stellar 2023, 2024 turned out to be a weaker year, and 2025 began with a flop at the VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff, where they finished 5th–6th and also failed to qualify for Masters. The team landed in the 9th–12th range, just like NAVI, and missed Masters. However, in their last five matches, Fnatic have managed to win three against NAVI (their upcoming opponents), Gentle Mates, and Detonation FocusMe while losing two games to FUT Esports and BBL Esports.

The main reason behind the slump in performance is the roster changes. After boasting a star-studded lineup in 2023, the team now fields two new players who don’t quite match the level of their predecessors.

Map Pool

Expected Bans:

• NAVI will likely ban Lotus
• Fnatic will likely ban Fracture

Expected Picks:

• NAVI might pick Split
• Fnatic might choose Icebox

Head-to-Head

The teams have faced each other only once so far, during the VCT 2025: EMEA Kickoff. Fnatic won that match 2–1.

Match Prediction

Although both teams are far from their peak and seem to be in a decline since the start of 2025, Fnatic still look stronger than NAVI. Their more consistent results last season and the recent head-to-head win make the “oranges” the favorites here.

Predicted result: Fnatic win 2:1

VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 runs from March 26 to May 18 in a LAN format at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin. Twelve partnered VCT EMEA teams are competing for three spots at Masters Toronto, as well as EMEA Points needed to qualify for the upcoming World Championship.