100T & Nongshim Sent to Valorant Champions Lower Bracket after G2 and Vitality Victories
G2 delivered a dominant 2-0 victory over 100 Thieves while Vitality outlasted Nongshim RedForce in the Valorant Champions 2026 Shanghai upper bracket quarter-finals. These victories advanced both European teams to the semifinals, where they will face NRG and LOUD. The losses sent 100 Thieves and Nongshim RedForce to the lower bracket, joining Paper Rex and T1 in their fight for a potential grand final berth.
G2’s commanding performance marks a significant turnaround for the European organization, which has historically struggled to replicate their domestic dominance on the international stage. The team had recently failed to advance from European qualifying groups, and their international record had weighed heavily on the roster. At Shanghai, however, G2 appeared to break through this psychological barrier, displaying newfound confidence and composure in high-pressure moments. Players stepped up when matches tightened, free from the fear of failure that had cost them in previous international competitions. This mental shift proved decisive against 100 Thieves, suggesting G2 may have finally overcome their historical international tournament struggles.