It isn’t the end for FunPlus Phoenix’s travel woes, as one of their three CIS-based players might still not be able to compete in the VCT Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen group stage.
The team had missed out on Masters Reykjavik 2022, despite securing EMEA’s top seed, after travel restrictions stemming from the ongoing Ukraine conflict and COVID-19 regulations.
While Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky and Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov are set to make their Masters debuts, Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin was not able to secure his visa in time to travel to Denmark.
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Alliance’s SEIDER will stand-in for FunPlus Phoenix’s SUGYETSU in Masters Copenhagen’s group stage
FPX’s Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks has confirmed in the pre-tournament press conference organized by Riot Games that the team’s sentinel main, SUYGETSU, will be absent as they compete in Masters Copenhagen’s group stage.
Instead, the team has brought in Alliance’s Mathias “SEIDER” Seider, who first announced he was traveling to Denmark a week before Stage 2 Masters’ group stage.
SEIDER is an initiator main who last played in the Valorant Regional League Northern Europe last month. He has been competing since 2020, and has represented Wave Esports and Alliance in various VCT European qualifiers.
However, FPX’s ardiis is optimistic that SUYGETSU will be able to join the team if they advance to the playoffs, which are set to begin on July 14.
“I think SUYGETSU might be able to get his visa in time for the playoffs,” said ardiis. “We’re hoping that he gets his visa approved by then.”
FPX have been drawn into Group B, alongside DRX, Northeption, and XERXIA Esports. They will need to win two group stage matches in order to move on to the tournament’s playoffs.
FunPlus Phoenix Valorant roster
- Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov (in-game leader)
- Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky
- Pontus “Zyppan” Eek
- Ardis “ardiis” Svarenieks
- Mathias “SEIDER” Seider (stand-in)
- Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin
- Erik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren (coach)
FPX will make their Masters debut when they go up against Thai squad XERXIA Esports on July 11, 11:00 p.m. GMT+8 | 8:00 a.m. PT | 4:00 p.m. GMT. Fans can watch the Masters Copenhagen‘s matches live on Riot Games’ official Valorant Twitch and YouTube channels.
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