FNATIC defeated GIANTX 2-0 in the EMEA Stage 2 play-ins. Both maps ended with the same 13-6 score. FNATIC won Sunset first and completed the series on Split.
FNATIC reached thirteen rounds first on both selected maps. GIANTX collected twelve rounds across the series. FNATIC recorded twenty-six and completed the match in two maps.
FNATIC won the first map on Sunset
GIANTX started Sunset on defence and won five rounds. FNATIC answered with seven attacking rounds before the side change. The leaders then won six defensive rounds while GIANTX added only one. Alfajer and kaajak each recorded nineteen kills. Alfajer added eight assists, while kaajak finished with only two. Their separate roles produced the same kill total.
Jesse led GIANTX with fourteen kills and five assists. Westside followed with twelve kills. FNATIC still held the stronger team total and closed the map by seven rounds.
FNATIC repeated the 13-6 score on Split
The second map also finished 13-6. FNATIC did not allow GIANTX to extend the series. A second seven-round advantage ended the match without a third selection. Identical scores do not mean the maps followed the same sequence. Sunset included a 7-5 first half and a dominant FNATIC defence. Split created its own round order and agent choices.
FNATIC‘s main achievement was consistency across two different layouts. The team reached thirteen first on both maps. GIANTX could not turn either six-round total into a close ending.
| Map | FNATIC | GIANTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset | 13 | 6 |
| Split | 13 | 6 |
FNATIC tested its revised player roles
FNATIC used Alfajer in an attacking role with Waylay on Sunset. Kaajak played Yoru, while cloud returned to an initiator position.
The arrangement followed changes discussed inside the team. Role changes matter because they alter communication and opening responsibilities. The match supplied competitive evidence rather than only practice results. FNATIC completed both maps with the new distribution in place.
FNATIC completed both maps with the revised roles. Alfajer and kaajak each recorded nineteen kills on Sunset. Cloud returned to an initiator role during the series.
GIANTX remained below seven rounds on both maps
Six rounds left GIANTX too far from the thirteen needed on both maps. The team did not reach the final stages where economy pressure often increases. FNATIC closed before that possibility developed. GIANTX produced useful rounds during the first halves. Their main problem came from converting those periods into a longer map. Sunset changed sharply after the side swap.
A two-map loss limited GIANTX‘s adjustment time during the series. FNATIC reached thirteen rounds first on both selected maps and completed the match.
FNATIC win their play-in match
The victory gives FNATIC two map wins in this part of the event. Map difference can separate teams with similar match records. The 2-0 result improves that figure. Alfajer and kaajak supplied the clearest attacking numbers on Sunset. The wider team then maintained control through Split. Two balanced map scores made the final series simple to record.
GIANTX leave with a 0-2 result and two 6-13 scores. FNATIC advance without dropping a map during this series.
Both maps ended 13-6 after different starts
FNATIC led Sunset 7-5 at the side change.
GIANTX then won only one more round. Split ended with the same 13-6 score, although the round order differed. FNATIC reached thirteen rounds twice and ended the match after two maps. Alfajer and kaajak each produced nineteen kills on the opener, but they played different agents and responsibilities. The role distribution continued into Split as the team protected its revised structure. GIANTX reached six rounds on each map and never forced overtime. The result therefore ended after two completed regulation maps. Two map wins improve FNATIC‘s record. FNATIC gained two map wins and lost neither selection. The 2-0 result improves its map difference in the stage table. GIANTX won twelve rounds across Sunset and Split. Individual rounds do not award separate standings points under this format.
FNATIC won Sunset and Split by the same 13-6 score. Both maps ended with the same score but followed different round sequences. FNATIC won the later rounds on both selections. GIANTX reached six rounds on both Sunset and Split. FNATIC reached thirteen twice and ended the match after the second map. The combined round score was 26-12. FNATIC therefore finished the series with a positive round difference of fourteen.
