Group Stage: Group C
Decider Match
Format: BO3
On Thursday, September 16, Russian team Gambit Esports will return to action against Crazy Raccoon to advance to the VCT 2021: Stage 3 Masters - Berlin playoffs.
VCT 2021: Stage 3 Masters - Berlin - Berlin will be the third Masters event on the VALORANT Champions Tour 2021. It will be the teams’ last chance to get VCT tournament points which count towards their qualification for the final VALORANT Champions international tournament at the end of the year. Additionally, the winners of the Masters Berlin are guaranteed to qualify for the Champions and earn an extra place for their region. The competition of the world’s best teams will take place from 10 to September 19, 2021.
Gambit Esports: On paper, the boys are already in the playoffs
The Gambit Esports squad must fight for a playoff spot against Crazy Raccoon from Japan, although before the group stage, the Russian team looked like clear favourites in Berlin’s Group C. But the boys had to play Decider Match after their unexpected defeat to Americans 100 Thieves (1-2).
The nitr0 squad have brought down the Russian players, who always benefit from defeats. I doubt the Japanese-Korean squad will have much to show for their game against Gambit. Recall, these teams have already played each other in their first match in this tournament in Berlin, and then the Gambits allowed their opponents to take only two rounds in two maps. I do not think that the return meeting (especially such an important one) will repeat the defeat, but with a score of 2-0, the match will end in the triumph of Gambit Esports.
The Russian team Gambit Esports approached the championship as a favourite. Less than a month ago, the Gambit boys defeated the strongest teams in Europe and Turkey by beating SuperMassive Blaze in the EMEA Challengers Playoffs grand final. Now the team is a step away from the playoffs of their first Masters tournament in Berlin.
The team picked up a good game shape, which should be kept until December, where the trophy of the main tournament of the year will be played in the same Berlin. Still, the rehearsal of the December events is in full swing for Gambit that the entire CIS community will closely follow. EMEA TOP 1 should not put pressure on the boys, it is essential for them to feel the atmosphere of the LAN championship in this tournament in Germany and try their strengths in other regions.
Crazy Raccoon: The team will try to jump over their heads
After the initial defeat by Gambit Esports (0-2), the Japanese did not lose heart and, in the match for life, sent home the Brazilians from Havan Liberty (2-0). The victory was not too difficult for them. Brazilians are still inferior to their counterparts on the other side of the world.
Crazy Raccoon is a Japanese organisation that has won and finished first in their regional tournaments on several occasions. But they are not ready for big sensational victories against teams from Europe, the CIS, and America.
The team got to this tournament thanks to reaching the final of VCT 2021: Japan Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs, where they came second, losing to ZETA DIVISION (2:3).
This is also the first major international tournament for the Japanese team, and on the LAN scene, which is a great challenge for the team from a not-so-top region in VALORANT. Even if they finish today, they will be leaving the championship with one victory under their belt, which is very important for their future progress.
Expert Betting Tips
Gambit Esports and Crazy Raccoon are different-level opponents. The Russian team is supposed to win with a 2-0, but the odds for this outcome are small. That’s why I suggest you play from the extra stats. For example, you could gamble on Handicap 1 (-6.5) rounds on the first map for 1.79.
Other predictions
