The Portuguese organization SAW, once a dominant force in their region, has decided to leave the Valorant scene after the conclusion of the current season, disbanding their entire roster and staff. This marks the end of nearly four years spent competing in the game.
SAW’s Achievements Over the Years
SAW signed its first Valorant roster back in 2021, beginning their journey towards the ultimate goal – reaching the tier-1 level. In 2022, the organization took a hiatus but returned with a revamped roster after the announcement of the Challengers league and VCT franchise league, aiming to break into the top division. Despite two years of dominance in the VALORANT Challengers Portugal, SAW failed to win the Ascension tournament and advance to the VCT.
SAW Team Achievements in Valorant
| Place | Tournament | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | VCT 2023: Ascension EMEA | $11,227.19 |
| 1st | VALORANT Challengers 2024 Portugal: Tempest Split 2 | $4,316.62 |
| 1st | VALORANT Challengers 2023 Portugal: Tempest Split 2 | $4,294.47 |
| 1st | VALORANT Challengers 2024 Portugal: Tempest Split 1 | $4,268.26 |
| 1st | VALORANT Challengers 2023 Portugal: Tempest Split 1 | $4,263.01 |
| 2nd | GameGune 24 | $2,829.64 |
| 1st | VALORANT Challengers 2023 Portugal: Drift | $2,737.31 |
SAW's Disbandment in Valorant
A few days after the conclusion of VCT Ascension EMEA 2024, where SAW finished last in Group B with no wins across four matches, the organization announced its exit from the Valorant discipline. The entire roster, along with the coaching staff, was released, and all have now gained free-agent status.
SAW Valorant Roster was as follows:
Key Reasons
SAW explained that the decision to leave the Valorant scene was not due to poor results but rather the instability of the tier-2 Valorant scene, which has been undergoing constant changes. These recent changes, such as the cancellation of the Portuguese Challengers league and its merger with other regions, increased competition for Ascension slots, creating conditions in which SAW saw no feasible path to continue competing for a spot in the VCT. The full statement can be read via the provided link.
Conclusion
Despite having a slot in the Spanish league, which will unite teams from Portugal, Italy, and Spain, SAW has decided to exit Valorant. This highlights the need for Riot Games to reassess their approach to developing the tier-2 scene, creating better conditions for organizations, and increasing the number of tournaments. It’s also crucial to provide teams with more opportunities to showcase their skills on the international stage, which would foster growth and enhance competition in the region.
SOURCE: SAW
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