VALORANT Masters Copenhagen: OpTic continue playoffs streak, sweep rivals XSET

The action continued on the sixth day of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Stage 2 Masters tournament in Copenhagen, Denmark on Friday (15 July), with the first round of the playoff upper bracket reaching a conclusion.

In a rematch of the North America Stage 2 Challengers grand finals, Masters Reykjavik champions OpTic Gaming took their revenge by making short work of regional rivals XSET in a 2-0 sweep, proving that their strong start during the playoffs opening matches isn’t a one-and-done deal.

In case you missed it, here’s how the showdown between OpTic and XSET went down:

OpTic Gaming 2 – 0 XSET

Game one: Haven

The match started on XSET’s pick, with them playing defense against OpTic.

OpTic was quick on the move, and drew first blood by securing the pistol round with a 5v5.

Not content, the reigning Masters champions took an additional three rounds, starting the first half with a four-round streak while XSET still finds its bearings.

Finally, XSET pulled off a very chaotic retake with Matthew “Cryocells” Panganiban as the last man standing, giving them their first round.

Unfortunately, that momentum was short-lived, as OpTic was able to take the next two rounds via mid-round calls and aggression.

XSET would manage to win round 8, but OpTic answered with another four-round streak to end the first half at 10-2, in favor of OpTIc.

After a short break, XSET came into the second half strong, winning four straight rounds in a row to close the gap and turn the tides to their favor.

Unfortunately for them, OpTic only needed a few good rounds to get ahead, and would reach map point shortly.

By round 20, OpTic would secure Haven at 13-7, putting them one stop closer at achieving revenge.

Game two: Bind

Same as Haven, Bind also started with OpTic securing the pistol round, once again drawing first blood.

This time, however, XSET managed to quickly respond by winning the eco round and putting a dent in OpTic’s economy.

XSET took the next round as well, but OpTic stopped the bleeding thanks to a 3k clutch from Austin “crashies” Roberts, who showed how dangerous he was in head-to-head confrontations.

Then, XSET responded by winning the next round, but would once again be left in the dust as OpTic won the next four rounds in a row. At the helm was Pujan “FNS” Mehta, who’s in-game leader skills are currently in their best shape.

XSET managed to win another round with a 2v2, but OpTic’s great executions once again put them in the lead 8-4 at half-time.

Similar to the first half, the second half also started with OpTic winning the pistol round and XSET hitting their economy by securing the eco round, and the one after that.

Unfortunately for them, that would be their last, as OpTic would take another four-round streak to close the map at 13-6 and win the match.

With Friday’s results, OpTic finally exacted revenge for their previous loss against XSET in the North America Stage 2 Challengers grand finals and move onto the upper bracket semifinals.

There they will face South Korea's DRX, who defeated LATAM's Leviatán in their own quarterfinals match.

Meanwhile, XSET falls into the lower bracket, where they will face Leviatán in the first round of playoff elimination matches.

Masters Copenhagen will see 12 of the top VALORANT teams from all over the world clashing with each other from 10 to 24 July, all for the chance to reign victorious as the Copenhagen champions and claim a spot in VALORANT Champions 2022 in Istanbul come September.

For everything you need to know about Masters Copenhagen, check here.

Feb has been trying to speedrun Super Mario 64 ever since he started playing video games at 11 years old. He has never succeeded, but has completed other video games in the time since. When not playing, he's usually playing music or building Gunpla.

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