Champions 2022 Istanbul will feature sixteen teams in November, with three North American representatives. OpTic Gaming and XSET have already claimed the domestic slots from previously earned Circuit Points, with one spot left. Eight teams will fight in the North America Last Chance Qualifier to decide the last representative to Istaunbul. Sentinels, the eighth seed heading into the tournament, have previously signed Michael “shroud” Grzesiek. On July 11, Sentinels would also acquire Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro from Version1, bringing their roster to six players for the NA LCQ.
[Related: Who are the NA LCQ Teams that have Qualified?]
Version1 in 2021 VCT
Zellsis previously played on NeverDone, before being signed to Version1 on February 9, 2021. The roster would find moderate success in the 2021 VCT, with varying results from each stage. Version1 would not qualify for 2021 Masters 1, but be present for every other North American Stage. They would find their peak after earning second place to Sentinels in Stage 2’s Grand Finals 3-0. In Stage 3, Version1 would drop before the Challengers Playoffs, losing to T1 1-2 and Gen.G 1-2. In the Last Chance Qualifier, Version1 would earn fifth place, dropping 0-2 to Cloud9, defeating FaZe Clan 2-0 before being eliminated by XSET 0-2.
It's the beginning . . . #NeverDone https://t.co/zlJTvzgx0R #V1VAL #V1RL pic.twitter.com/5lGP8XTjyn
— Version1 (@version1gg) February 9, 2021
2022 VCT Results
Version1 would lead Group B with a 5-0 record. However, they would fall to the Lower Bracket following a 1-2 loss against Luminosity in the first round of Playoffs. Defeating Sentinels 2-1, Version1 would then be eliminated in the Lower Round 2 by Cloud9 1-2. This shaky performance would carry over as Version1 would fail to qualify for Challengers 2. In the Open Qualifier, they would first fall 1-2 to Girl Kissers before being eliminated 1-2 by Complexity. With only 35 Circuit Points in the 2022 VCT, Version1 would fail to qualify for the North America Last Chance Qualifier. Zellsis now earns a second chance to represent his region on Sentinels, should they win the LCQ.
Oh, you thought we were done?
We have acquired @Zellsis for the Sentinels Valorant roster pic.twitter.com/l5FC4SiMCU
— Sentinels (@Sentinels) July 11, 2022
The North America Last Chance Qualifier will take place on August 2022, featuring the top eight teams by Circuit Points. Version1 will not compete in the LCQ, but Zellsis will, now competing underneath Sentinels. They will be joined by The Guard, Faze Clan, Cloud9, Luminosity Gaming, NRG, 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses. The winner of the qualifier will join OpTic Gaming and XSET as the North American representatives for Champions Istanbul 2022.
Stay Connected
You can find more pieces on VALORANT like “Champions Istanbul 2022 Teams” and you can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Justin!
“From Our Haus to Yours”