Home

It’s officially curtains for Apeks in the VCT EMEA. After a painful 0-11 run through Kickoff, Stage 1, and now Stage 2, the Norwegian side has been relegated from the league, and won’t even get a shot at redemption through Ascension.

That’s right. Apeks, who climbed into the VCT scene with high hopes after winning the 2024 EMEA Ascension, have come crashing back down just a year later. Despite some early promise, their time in the top tier has been nothing short of a nightmare.

From Ascension heroes to rock bottom

Let’s rewind for a sec. This time last year, Apeks were on top of the world. They’d fought through the Challengers circuit, clinched a huge win in the promotion tournament, and locked in their spot amongst the region’s elite. It felt like a proper underdog story.

But once the 2025 season kicked off, things just didn’t click. The team failed to win a single match across three stages. Even with roster swaps and flashes of potential, nothing stuck. After dropping their 11th straight series, this time to Movistar KOI, it was game over.

KOI crush their last hope

Against KOI on August 6, Apeks actually looked like they might break the curse. They took the first map 13-9 thanks to standout plays from OLIZERA and penny. But just as things were looking up, KOI responded in brutal fashion. The second map? A 13-4 stomp. The decider? A slow burn that ended in a KOI win, sending Apeks packing once and for all.

No Ascension lifeline either

In most cases, relegated teams at least get a chance to climb back via Ascension. Not Apeks. Riot’s rules are clear: to qualify for Ascension, you need either enough Championship Points or a decent Stage 2 finish. Apeks have neither. Zilch. Nada. That means their run ends here, full stop.

What went wrong?

A lot. Losing Ava “florescent” Eugene, arguably their best player, earlier in the season definitely hurt. Prior to that, hype was moved to the inactive roster. The team then tried to rebuild by bringing in three new players—batujnax, OLIZERA, and penny—but it was too little, too late.

Online chatter’s already spinning. Some fans blame the roster shuffle, others reckon the org simply wasn’t ready for the pressure of top-tier play.

One more match… for pride

Apeks still technically have one match left, facing off against FNATIC on August 14. But with their fate sealed, it’s nothing more than a farewell tour.

Looking ahead

Now heading back to the Challengers tier, Apeks will have to regroup, rebuild, and rethink their future. Whether they’ll push for another comeback or take a break from VALORANT entirely remains to be seen.

In the meantime, keep an eye on Gentle Mates, the other Ascension team hanging by a thread. Their match against GIANTX could be the final nail, or the spark of survival.