NRG s0m: “All the preparation and practice helped build a good momentum heading into Champions 2025”

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NRG had one of the most exciting matches of VALORANT Champions 2025, and the team discussed their incredible comeback from the Abyss in the press conference afterward.

NRG started strong in their first match, facing a team expected to be a top contender for the 2025 Championship. Despite a rough start on Abyss where they fell behind 2-10 against EDG, NRG fought back impressively to win the first map. They continued their success and also won the second map.

After the game, the players and coach talked about how they played and what helped them win the tournament for the first time.

NRG at the VALORANT Champions 2025

Ethan Arnold and Sam Oh both returned to the Champions tournament after a two-year break. Ethan played for EG, and Sam played for NRG. After their previous experience in Los Angeles, Sam said NRG felt well-prepared for each match. He explained that their practice and preparation had given them strong momentum going into Champions 2025.

Okay, so if NRG takes the win at Champions 2025, Ethan would make history! He’d be the first player *ever* to win the whole thing twice. He already got a championship back in 2023 when he was with Evil Geniuses. And apparently, there are seven other players who could also potentially achieve that same feat.

The iconic Abyss comeback

NRG’s first match was unforgettable, largely due to their incredible comeback on Abyss. Brock “brawk” Somerhalder shared that he and Logan “skuba” Jenkins talked strategy on stage – specifically about positioning and how to safely check corners – and this conversation quickly involved the entire NRG team.

Brawk explained that their team struggled early on because they weren’t communicating effectively or coordinating their strategies, which led to a score of 2-10. They regrouped at halftime, decided to focus on playing each round carefully, and agreed to consistently purchase all available equipment. Despite being heavily behind, they managed to turn the game around, force overtime, and ultimately win with a final score of 17-15.

EDG is a tough opponent to gameplan for, according to Head Coach Malkolm Rench, because they don’t have predictable patterns like many teams in North America. However, he said his team was confident in their plan and how they carried it out, adding simply, “We got the win.”

NRG’s Sam ‘s0m’ Oh talked about his choice of Harbor for Champions 2025, saying he’s very comfortable with the agent, even though Harbor isn’t currently considered top-tier. He explained that Harbor allows for a lot of strategic flexibility, particularly in the middle of rounds when his wall is reset. ‘I like to play defensively and use the walls to create small, safe spaces for myself,’ he said.

Despite losing Icebox – a map where NRG typically excels – the team feels confident facing Abyss and its distinct style of play. Coach bonkar explained they’re reviewing past strategies and decisions on the map, including coordinated plays and how they used their ultimate abilities. He added that the busy schedule in VCT Americas limited their preparation time for initial matches, but they still managed to perform well.

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2025-09-15 01:11