After Team Vitality defeated Dragon Ranger Gaming in their opening match at VALORANT Masters London 2026, the team’s players took part in a post-match press conference. They discussed Jamppi’s clutch on Lotus, Derke’s ace on Breeze, Sayonara’s first international appearance, Fnatic’s absence from the event, possible future opponents, and the support from the London crowd.
Jamppi explains his Lotus clutch
Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen was first asked about the clutch on Lotus. The player clarified that the situation started as a 2v4 with Derke, whose information helped him understand how low the remaining opponents were.
Thank you for your question. It was a 2v4 with Derke, so he helped me a lot with his comms because he thought that the Cypher was one HP. And Chamber. I just tried to isolate the duos, if I’m honest. I remember them opening the door and coming behind from C.
When Derke gave me the info that the people on site were low, I just tried to peek them as fast as I could. Luckily, I killed them. And then in the 1v2, I just tried to play with sound because the C-side pillar is very annoying to clear, even in the clutch. I got pretty lucky with the timing, but at least I hit my shot, so that was nice.Jamppi
Later, Jamppi was also asked to compare this clutch with his previous one against Team Heretics in the EMEA playoffs. He said the Masters stage made the latest moment feel more important, even though he considered the Heretics clutch slightly cleaner in terms of shooting.
I think the 1v4 today was better just because it was at Masters. In terms of shooting, I think the one versus Heretics was probably a little bit better. But I like both of them, so it was nice to have a successful feeling in both of the clutches.Jamppi
Derke talks about the ace that closed the series
Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev was asked about the final round on Breeze, where he ended the map and the series with an ace. He said that after getting four kills, he immediately asked his teammates to let him finish the round.
I got the 4K, and then I was like, ‘Guys, chill. I need the ace.’ Jamppi went first. We needed that one. We got three aces that way, so we’ll try to keep up the streak and see how many we can get. I was really happy to close it out with an ace, and also with Jett knives, so it felt fun.Derke
Derke was also asked how it felt to finally be “out of Neon jail” and return to agents such as Jett and Raze. The player admitted that he felt relieved, even though he did not think his Neon was bad.
Best thing ever. I feel relieved. I feel really happy to go back to agents like Jett and Raze on some maps. I don’t think my Neon was that bad, but honestly, I just didn’t like playing it. I love playing Jett probably the most. It’s the agent I played the most in ranked, in VCT, and just everywhere.Derke
Jamppi reacts to Soulcas’ support in London
Jamppi was also asked about Dom “soulcas” Sulcas, who was in attendance during the match and said during the broadcast that Team Vitality could win the entire event. Jamppi said he had not yet had time to meet him in London, but planned to do so after the press conference.
Unfortunately, not yet, but I will for sure after this because we didn’t really have time previously before coming here. This evening, I will for sure meet him. This was actually the first international event I qualified for without soulcas, so it’s just a fun fact. Tom is such a nice guy. It’s going to be a nice evening with him today.Jamppi
Sayonara credits Vitality’s veterans
Ștefan “Sayonara” Mîtcu was asked about playing at his first international event, especially in contrast with more experienced teammates such as Chronicle. He said the veterans on Team Vitality had helped him during the season and made it easier for him to stay calm on stage.
Not specifically for this event, but the veterans on the team have for sure been helping me and giving me advice when I need it. They have always tried to help me in the spots that I need. Because of them, I think it helps my performance. Also on stage, them being who they are and being this calm helps a lot, so thank you to them.Sayonara
Chronicle and Derke discuss Fnatic’s absence
Timofey “Chronicle” Khromov and Derke were then asked whether it felt strange to play in London without Boaster and Fnatic at the tournament. Chronicle said that he understood the disappointment of missing an international event, but added that Fnatic’s players remain his friends despite being opponents in EMEA.
I believe in Boaster. He will be fine with that. He’ll find his way to come back and maybe do some sweet revenge on me as well. We’ll see how it’s going to go in the next stages of this beautiful year.
Obviously, it’s sad, and I know the fans’ feelings, and also people who came to see the show and were expecting Fnatic here because they are a hometown team. But sometimes something like that happens.
I know how bad it feels to lose a tournament or a chance to qualify for a tournament where you really wanted to perform. For us, it was Shanghai in 2024. I remember that moment. They are obviously opponents for me in the league right now, but they are still my friends, and I really hope they will do well in the next stage.Chronicle
Derke added that he would like to meet his former Fnatic teammates again at an international event.
For me, I just want to see Alfajer and Boaster back again too, and meet them at an international. Since I was with them, I don’t think we’ve met at an international. When I qualified for Bangkok, they didn’t qualify there, and the rest of the time, I was at home watching.Derke
Vitality players name possible future opponents
When Team Vitality were asked as a group which teams they would like to face next, several names came up, including NRG, G2 Esports and Paper Rex. Derke said Vitality are ready for anyone who wants to call them out.
Everyone wants to play us, so they can just line up because I want to play against everyone too.Derke
Chronicle pointed to NRG as a possible matchup with additional history behind it.
NRG, just for fun. We’ll see what’s going to happen. We have some history, so it might be an interesting match to watch.Chronicle
Jamppi also mentioned NRG as a revenge opportunity, while Sayonara brought up G2 Esports because of a previous meeting at Red Bull.
NRG, of course, to get revenge for Chronicle. But also, keiko was the one who denied me and PROFEK last year every single time qualifying, so we need to get revenge.Jamppi
I would like to play G2 just for what happened in Red Bull. I still remember that.Sayonara
Team Vitality’s staff also said that G2 could be a good stylistic matchup, while Paper Rex would bring something different to the server.
If anyone wants to call us out, then absolutely, we’ll have them. I think G2 in particular, we probably match up quite nicely into them. A couple of the boys, Scott included, have a bit of trauma from NRG last year as well, and we’d like to set the record straight with them. Paper Rex would be nice as well. They bring something a little bit different.
Vitality thank the London crowd
At the end of the press conference, Team Vitality were asked to send a message to the fans in attendance. Several members of the team responded, with one of them admitting that the level of support in London came as a pleasant surprise.
Honestly, thank you guys for coming here. Maybe in some way, it wasn’t expected for me to see how many of you support us right now on the stage. It was insanely nice to hear all of your voices. It’s actually a super funny tournament right now. I didn’t expect it. Thank you again.
Another player then added that the team hoped to see the fans again in future matches.
Hopefully, we see you guys in the future games also because it was unbelievable to play today.
VALORANT Masters London 2026 is taking place from June 6 to June 21 at the Copper Box Arena in London. The event features 12 teams competing for a $1,000,000 prize pool, with the Swiss Stage deciding the final four playoff spots before the double-elimination bracket begins.
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