100 Thieves knock out G2 and set their sights on Vitality with a Champions final spot on the line

The lower bracket at Valorant Champions keeps claiming victims, and this time it was G2 Esports' turn. 100 Thieves won 2-1 in a best-of-three series to book their ticket to the next matchup, where Team Vitality are waiting. According to Movistar eSports, that clash will decide who takes the second spot in the grand final of the biggest tournament on the Valorant calendar.

Why does it matter? Because there is no safety net left in the lower bracket: every series is do-or-die. The fact that 100 Thieves held firm in a series that went the distance against an opponent of G2's calibre says a lot about their ability to perform under pressure. Now they face Vitality, another heavyweight, with a prize that every pro team chases all season long: a place in the Champions final.

What you need to know

• 100 Thieves beat G2 Esports 2-1 in the lower bracket of Valorant Champions.
• G2 Esports are eliminated from the tournament after this loss.
• 100 Thieves' next opponent will be Team Vitality.
• The winner of that matchup will claim the second spot in the grand final.

What's at stake in the lower bracket

The double-elimination format is as fair as it is brutal. It gives a second chance to teams that stumble, but forces them to win series after series with no room for error. A team making a run through the lower bracket racks up matches, hours of prep and mental fatigue, but it also arrives with something you can't practise: competitive rhythm and confidence. That is exactly where 100 Thieves find themselves right now.

The win over G2 carries extra weight because of how it played out. A 2-1 means the series went to a third map, the stage where veto work, reading the opponent and the composure of the in-game leader really show. Passing that test leaves 100 Thieves with sky-high morale, but also with the need to rework their game plan quickly for a very different opponent.

Vitality, the final wall

Standing in their way are Team Vitality, an organisation with a solid structure and plenty of big-stage experience. The matchup pits two different paths to the same point against each other and, above all, two projects determined to prove they belong among the world's elite. For anyone following the scene, it's one of those games where pre-match analysis only gets you so far: it will come down to who handles their nerves better and who adapts their strategy first during the series.

Our take

Here at the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we're clear on this: 100 Thieves' run is a reminder that in Valorant, no name is safe. G2 came in with a big reputation and are heading home earlier than many expected. That isn't automatically a failure, but it is a sign that the level at the top is so tight that a couple of poorly managed rounds on the deciding map can knock you out of the tournament. For competitive players, the lesson is uncomfortable but useful: you don't improvise the third map, you prepare it from the veto.

We're also critical of something that happens at every major event: the favourites narrative carries too much weight. There's a lot of talk about rosters and signings, and very little about a team's ability to grind through adversity. 100 Thieves are proving that the lower bracket can be a springboard if you know how to turn pressure into energy. That said, Vitality are no ordinary opponent, and it would be a mistake to assume momentum alone is enough to reach the final.

For content creators, this matchup is pure gold. A story of resilience against an established rival, with a final on the line, is exactly the kind of narrative that hooks an audience. If you do analysis, VOD reviews or reaction streams, now is the time to prepare material: the tactical keys of the series against G2 and what could change against Vitality offer plenty to debate.

What do you think?

The stage is set: 100 Thieves arrive on a roll after taking down G2, and Vitality are waiting with the final on the horizon. Do you think lower-bracket momentum will be enough, or will Vitality shut the door on 100 Thieves? Share your prediction in the team chat or drop by our Discord to discuss it.