Historic feat for the London- and Málaga-based team, who secured a spot at VCT Champions after reaching the EMEA final against all odds
Berlin. Sunday, August 31, 2025. A historic day for the esports organization GIANTX: the Valorant team will play in the World Championship of Riot Games’ title after qualifying for the final of the EMEA league currently taking place in Berlin. To be present at the biggest Valorant event of the year, the Giants had no choice but to reach this final. Practically a miracle. And so it happened: victory against Turkey’s BBL, which already secured them the long-awaited ticket to Valorant Champions.
After beating BBL and confirming their spot at the World Championship, GIANTX went on to play the EMEA grand final in Berlin. Pipson’s roster, however, could not keep up the momentum and fell short against Team Liquid, the clear winners with a dominant 3-0 scoreline. The Giants, exhausted after a demanding lower-bracket run, reached the decisive match without fuel and had to settle for the runner-up finish.
Even so, the mission was accomplished. After a difficult year and a half on the international Valorant scene, GIANTX redeemed themselves with their second World Championship qualification, officially called Valorant Champions, which in 2025 will be held in Paris. It is the second Valorant World Championship for GIANTX in three years; after the legendary 2023 run, history repeats itself in 2025, this time with an unforgettable comeback included. Another milestone for the London- and Málaga-based organization, who needed a ‘miracle run’ to qualify.
Valorant – Valorant Champions Tour To achieve this, GIANTX had to qualify for the final of the EMEA league of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT), one of the most important esports circuits internationally. Due to poor results throughout the year, Pipson’s roster entered the summer split with the highest possible bar: to be among the 16 participants at the World Championship, they had to reach the EMEA final. It was a mandatory condition. And his players accomplished it with a memorable performance.
The lineup of Cloud, Ara, Flickless, Westside, and Grubinho peaked at the decisive moment. After some poor results and roster changes, Pipson found the right formula with this group, who grew stronger and stronger and showed their best game in the playoffs, delivering outstanding performances against Fnatic and BBL, their last rival on the road to Champions. Despite having to advance from the lower bracket, the Giants did not falter.
Against BBL, the Giants put on a show from start to finish. GIANTX won all three maps, with Ara and Westside shining bright. In the final, they faced Team Liquid, who had previously sent GIANTX to the lower bracket. That clash was far less forgiving: Liquid imposed their game and took the series 3-0, crowning themselves EMEA champions while GIANTX closed their run as runner-up.
In Paris, GIANTX will compete alongside the best in the world: Paper Rex, XLG, Sentinels, Bilibili, MIBR, Rex Regum Qeon, Fnatic, Team Liquid, DRX, NRG, EDward Gaming – the reigning champion – G2, Heretics, DRG, T1, and of course, GIANTX. The World Championship kicks off on September 12 and runs through October.
“Champions in 2023, and now in 2025… Not bad for the worst coach of EMEA,” said Pipson after the match. “I’m happy for trusting Pipson despite the noise and all the people saying he was the problem. At some point, I even questioned myself. But he is by far the best coach in EMEA, and we’ve made it to two Champions in three years. It’s mind-blowing how well we’re playing,” said David Alonso, Esports Director at GIANTX.
