VALORANT Champions 2025 kicks off tomorrow in Paris, featuring the 16 best VCT teams from across the globe and a $2.25m (~£1.66m) prize pool.
For GIANTX rookie Karel ‘Flickless’ Maeckelbergh, Champions will be his first-ever international VCT tournament. The flex/initiator player advanced to the tier-one EMEA circuit less than five months ago, but has already showcased impressive mechanics and mental fortitude.
Thanks to GIANTX’s second-place finish in Stage 2, Flickless is now about to step on VALORANT’s biggest global stage.
“It feels insane to be here,” said the rising star in a recent press conference.
Flickless began his VALORANT esports journey in 2021 as part of NOX Esports. He and fellow rookie Eduard-George ‘ara’ Hanceriuc joined GIANTX from UCAM Esports Club in April after the partner team had suffered disappointing results at Kickoff and Stage 1.
When asked about what advice he would give to other tier-two players looking to make the jump to the VCT circuit, Flickless said: “I would recommend to just keep grinding. Grind with a team, listen to your teammates and just try to grow, just try to become better every day.”
Despite their lack of experience in franchising, Flickless and ara played fundamental roles in GIANTX’s surprising Stage 2 run. Only Team Liquid could halt the organisation’s momentum with a 3-0 Grand Final victory over EMEA’s new dark horse.
High Stakes and Early Hurdles
GIANTX gears up for its first VALORANT Champions attendance since 2023 — when it was still known as ‘Giants’ — however, the team has already encountered its first challenge. Due to illness, duelist prodigy ara had to sit out during practice until his recovery was confirmed after today’s press conference.
“We are a bit unlucky with the things that are happening right now with ara. But we were well prepared before we came here, and we’ll just try to do our best here,” shared Flickless
“For now, we are just focusing on individual shape. We played like four scrims with our Assistant Coach as a duelist. It went pretty good with him, so we will see how it goes.”
Although many rookies might feel pressured in the face of their international debut, especially when additional complications are at play, Flickless appears unbothered by these factors.
“We just need to keep playing like we were in Stage 2. There’s no pressure on us,” emphasised the rookie. “I don’t think a lot of teams expect much from us. That’s the best way to play: with no pressure.”
In his first match against Americas’ third seed Sentinel tomorrow, Flickless will have the opportunity to prove himself against some of the biggest names in VALORANT esports.
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