Sentinels handed first LAN loss, all according to plan at Berlin Masters

by

Okay, so Sentinels lost their first match on a LAN event, but honestly, as a fan, I’m not even worried! It feels like they wanted this loss, like it’s all part of a bigger strategy to make their path to the finals way easier. It’s kinda genius, if you think about it!

This article was first published in 2021 and has been updated with information about Sentinels’ recent and overall tournament performance as of 2026.

Before the Berlin Masters tournament, most experts predicted Sentinels would easily win their group. However, things didn’t go as expected for the team. They appeared uncharacteristically off-balance and lost 2-0 to G2 (13-3, 13-11). Surprisingly, this outcome seemed to be part of Sentinels’ strategy, as they are the top-ranked team from North America and the current Masters champions.

Sentinels unconcerned with first loss

After the match, Zombs explained that everything went according to plan. They were happy with the outcome because it secured the seeding they wanted for the next stage of the competition.

The match between G2 and Sentinels was highly anticipated by many, especially EU fans who were hoping to prove their region’s strength after the last Masters tournament. Some even thought it could be a preview of the Grand Finals. After G2 won, they received a lot of positive attention and celebratory reactions online.

All according to plan

However, Sentinels appears to be the one still holding the cards, at least if you ask Zombs.

Zombs explained they stuck to the maps Split and Icebox – the same ones they’d played against G2 – because they didn’t want to reveal their strategies on other maps. He’s confident this approach won’t be a problem in future matches.

If G2 is feeling good about winning against Sentinels, they need to remember this match. It also diminishes the importance of Sentinels’ previous loss on a LAN stage, both for those analyzing the game and, most importantly, for Sentinels themselves.

“I don’t think we prepared at all for this match, to be honest,” Zombs explained.

Sentinels appeared unprepared for the match, while G2 clearly put in a lot of work. It’s questionable whether this game will have a significant impact beyond simply improving Sentinels’ seeding for future rounds. They could face teams like Vision Strikers, 100 Thieves, or Team Envy – all strong group winners, but teams Sentinels know well. The second-place teams from other groups, which haven’t been determined yet, present more unknowns. This win felt like a deliberate strategy by Sentinels, rather than a lucky break.

The schedule for the Berlin Masters playoffs hasn’t been finalized yet, but the quarterfinal matches will start on Friday.

Sentinels’ Berlin run

Sentinels lost only one match in the group stage, and that was against G2. They ultimately qualified for the next round as the second-seeded team after all the group matches were played.

Sentinels’ impressive run ended abruptly in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 loss to Team ENVY. This result shocked many fans and viewers, as Sentinels was widely considered the strongest team in North America. Consequently, they couldn’t defend their championship title, earned from their recent victory at Masters Reykjavík.

Gambit Esports won the Masters Berlin tournament, defeating Team Envy 3-0 in the final match. As the second-seeded team from their group, their success seemed almost predictable, as one analyst, Zombs, had previously suggested they were a strong contender.

Sentinels in 2026

Sentinels is still incredibly popular with fans, even when people bet on esports. While the team isn’t as strong as it was in 2021 – the current 2026 roster is completely new – the Sentinels name is still widely recognized in the world of VALORANT Esports.

Sentinels recently won the Masters Madrid tournament in 2024, defeating Gen.G Esports 3-2 in the final. While they regularly compete internationally, they often struggle to achieve top results. For example, at the 2025 Championships, they finished last in their group and didn’t win any matches.

Although the original Sentinels team no longer plays together, the organization has signed several strong and well-known players, including Gabriel “cortezia” Cortez from Brazil. The Sentinels’ home base, SEN City, remains active and provides enthusiastic support for their teams in the VCT Americas league, as well as at Masters and Champions tournaments.

Read More

2026-02-11 15:11