Fnatic, the powerhouse of European VALORANT, faced an unexpected blow during the recent Valorant Champions Tour EMEA Kickoff, which shattered their dreams of attending the prestigious VCT Masters Madrid tournament. Despite boasting a lineup brimming with talent, Fnatic suffered an astonishing defeat at the hands of Karmine Corp, a renowned French esports team. This loss not only stunned fans but also dashed Fnatic's hopes of participating in the inaugural international VALORANT event of the year.

Throughout the gripping series, Karmine Corp exhibited exceptional prowess, thwarting Fnatic's every attempt to gain momentum. Led by Martin “marteen” Pátek's remarkable performance, securing a collective 44 kills across two maps with an impressive 30 percent headshot rate in the decisive second map, Karmine Corp solidified their berth at VCT Masters Madrid.

In contrast, Fnatic appeared out of sync, struggling to devise effective strategies against their formidable opponents. Their lack of cohesive team play coupled with being consistently outmatched by Karmine Corp led to their early exit from the tournament, marking the first time in three years that Fnatic has missed an international VALORANT event.

This defeat comes as a staggering conclusion to Fnatic's dominance on the global VALORANT stage. Having established themselves as one of the most formidable teams worldwide over the past few years, their absence from VCT Masters Madrid leaves a void in Europe's quest for international glory.

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With Fnatic's unexpected departure, the burden of European aspirations now rests on the shoulders of Karmine Corp and Team Heretics, the latter having secured a surprising victory against Natus Vincere earlier in the tournament. As the rest of the world concludes their Kickoff tournaments in the coming days, Europe awaits anxiously to see if these teams can uphold their regional pride and clinch victory on the international stage.