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 final boss returns 👑

Thrilled to announce @Alfajervl’s all cleared and healthy, and will be rejoining us vs @NRGgg this Friday!

We’ll also be keeping @domaVALORANT in Paris for finals weekend for the extra buff. pic.twitter.com/OR5b91R3Zw

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) October 1, 2025

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.

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Fnatic have pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of VALORANT Champions 2025 so far, toppling Paper Rex 2–1 in the upper semifinals despite playing without star player Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder.

12 ROUND COMEBACK AND A REVERSE SWEEP!@FNATIC are now Top 3 and their highest placement ever at #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/wSLFM09Asv

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 28, 2025

Just hours before the match, Fnatic confirmed that Alfajer would miss the series due to health issues. In his place, former Fnatic player Domagoj “Doma” Fancev was flown in at the last minute, arriving in Paris only four hours before the match began. You can read more about Alfajer’s absence and Doma’s unexpected return here.

Bind Slips Away

The opener on Bind, Paper Rex’s map pick, looked promising for Fnatic early on. Kaajak was electric on Yoru, putting up 30 kills in just 23 rounds, but PRX’s resilience shone through. A clutch 4K from something in round 21 helped secure a 13–10 win for the Pacific side, giving them the series lead.

Fnatic Strike Back on Haven

Fnatic hit back on Haven, a map PRX had avoided all tournament. Smart play around the Yoru–Waylay composition gave them control from the start, with Chronicle sealing the half 8–4 thanks to a superb 1v3 clutch. After finally securing a pistol round, Fnatic closed out the map comfortably 13–4. Kaajak again delivered, with 20 kills across just 17 rounds, backed by Chronicle’s sharp Viper performance.

The Comeback on Lotus

Lotus looked set to break Fnatic’s hearts when PRX raced to an 8–1 lead and finished the half up 9–3. But in true Fnatic fashion, the team rallied in spectacular style. Crashies and Chronicle sparked the turnaround with a pivotal 2v4 pistol round win, setting the stage for a ten-round streak that silenced PRX completely.

Fnatic ran away with the decider 13–9, leaving Paper Rex without a single attacking round in the second half. Chronicle was the standout, dropping an outrageous 31/14/7 KDA on Viper with 246 ADR. Doma also had his moment, clutching a vital 1v2 that helped steady the team’s momentum.

A Statement Win

The victory secures Fnatic a spot in the upper final and guarantees a top three finish at Champions—their best ever result at the tournament. For Doma, it was an emotional return to the orange and black.

“I did this for him, I tried my best,” he said after the match, dedicating his performance to Alfajer. “Alfa, enjoy the semis and go win the whole thing.”

Paper Rex now drop into the lower bracket, where they will fight Team Heretics for survival and a chance to stay in contention for the title.

Fnatic, meanwhile, continue their run in Paris with momentum, belief, and one of the most inspiring comebacks we’ve seen at Champions.

The post Fnatic Stun Paper Rex With Stand-In to Reach VCT 2025 Top Three appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Fnatic have been dealt a major blow at VALORANT Champions 2025, with star player Emir “Alfajer” Ali Beder sidelined due to health issues just hours before their highly anticipated matchup against Paper Rex.

The organisation confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that Alfajer has been dealing with health concerns in recent days. While he is reportedly on the mend, medical staff advised that he sit out to prioritise his recovery. Fnatic’s Head Coach CoJo added further context, revealing that Alfajer had spent much of the previous night in hospital undergoing checks.

Some things are more important than Valorant.

Has been a brutal last 24hrs with all of last night spent in the hospital (horrible experience btw, 8.5hrs wait and didn’t get a diagnosis). Fortunately, Alfa is looking better today and on the mend but more to be done with the… https://t.co/W3tVr2Lin3

— FNATIC CoJo (@CoJoPM) September 28, 2025

“Some things are more important than VALORANT,” CoJo wrote, thanking fans for their support and asking everyone to send their best wishes to Alfajer as he continues treatment.

Doma Returns to the Stage

Stepping into the gap is Domagoj “Doma” Fancev, a familiar face for Fnatic fans. Doma previously represented the team between 2020 and 2022 and was part of their memorable run at VALORANT Champions 2021. Despite receiving just 16 hours’ notice, he was quick to answer the call and will rejoin Jake “Boaster” Howlett and the rest of the squad on stage.

Fnatic expressed confidence in Doma’s ability to handle the high-pressure situation, pointing to his prior synergy with the team and his versatility in Initiator and Sentinel roles. The organisation also extended thanks to Enterprise Esports for allowing Doma to step in on such short notice.

A Huge Match with Bigger Stakes

The clash between Fnatic and Paper Rex was already one of the most anticipated of the tournament. With a spot in the Upper Final on the line, the absence of Alfajer—one of the top three performing players at Champions so far, significantly shifts the odds.

Paper Rex, known for their aggressive playstyle and global fanbase, now look even more favoured heading into the matchup. Still, Doma’s return offers a glimmer of hope. His similar playstyle to Alfajer could help maintain balance in Fnatic’s strategies, keeping their upper bracket run alive.

If Fnatic fall short, they’ll be forced into the lower bracket, where every match is do-or-die. Regardless of the outcome, all eyes will be on Doma’s performance and Alfajer’s recovery in the days ahead.

Fnatic closed their announcement with a message to supporters: “Give your love over to Alfa—we’ll see you at 3PM!”

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