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Fnatic fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief — Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder is back. The Turkish star has been cleared to compete again after a short break due to health issues, and will return to the roster just in time for Fnatic’s VCT Champions Paris 2025 clash against NRG this Friday.

The organisation announced the news on X, calling Alfajer “the final boss” as they prepare for what could be their biggest weekend of the year. To be safe, Fnatic confirmed that Domagoj “Doma” Fancev will also remain with the team in Paris throughout finals weekend.

Doma, who last played for Fnatic in 2021, stepped in on just 16 hours’ notice earlier in the tournament when Alfajer was forced to sit out against Paper Rex due to health concerns. Despite the last-minute call-up, he helped the squad secure a crucial upset win. You can read more about that dramatic substitution in our earlier coverage: Fnatic’s Alfajer Misses VCT 2025 Clash with Paper Rex, Doma Steps In.

“Four hours of sleep straight from the airport to venue and we won. GG,” Doma joked after the victory.

Fnatic’s Paris momentum

Fnatic have looked unstoppable so far in Paris. The squad topped their group in the opening stage before moving through to the Playoffs, where they defeated DRX 2-1 in the Upper Bracket Quarter-finals.

The real shock came in the Upper Bracket Semi-Finals when Fnatic handed Paper Rex a surprise defeat. After losing the first map, Bind, it looked like the favourites had things under control. But Fnatic fought back on Haven and Lotus to complete a dramatic comeback, knocking one of the strongest teams in the tournament down to the Lower Bracket.

With Alfajer back in the lineup, Fnatic will now face NRG in the Upper Bracket Final on October 3. A win would make them the first team to lock in a place at the Grand Final and put them one step closer to claiming the lion’s share of the $1 million prize pool.

A wild VCT Champions so far

The 2025 edition of VCT Champions has been full of twists and upsets. Team Liquid were shockingly eliminated during groups, while G2 Esports managed to fight their way through to the Playoffs.

In the early knockout rounds, Paper Rex dispatched G2, NRG beat GIANTX, and MIBR sent Team Heretics packing. The Lower Bracket has been brutal too, with G2, GIANTX, MIBR, and Heretics all eliminated. That leaves DRX and Paper Rex battling it out in the Lower Bracket Semi-Finals for one last shot at making the Finals.

Fnatic, however, are firmly in control of their own destiny. With Alfajer cleared and their momentum at full speed, the London-based organisation could be about to pull off one of the most dominant Championship runs in VALORANT history.