Gentle Mates and Apeks will meet in the group stage of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: EMEA. The French side have already secured a slot in the play-offs, while Apeks have played one less game.
And here's where The International is heresy, as the odds don't believe in Gentle Mates from the word go, as Apeks are objectively the main favourites for the championship.
I don't know if the French could create serious competition, but I suggest we look at the match from a logical point of view, where the favourites should get theirs. So here I would lean on the Apeks team to win.
Gentle Mates form
The seventh team in the European rankings won both regional splits of the VALORANT Challengers 2023 France: Revolution, and they played very well in the season.
On top of that, Gentle Mates confidently defeated Team Falcons and Case Esports in the group stage of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: EMEA.
The day before, the French team was stronger than FOKUS, thanks to which the team guaranteed participation in the play-offs. And now, however, the French will have to prove their competitiveness against the favorites.
Latest Gentle Mates results:
- 3-1 victory over WYLDE.
- Victory over Mandatory 3-2.
- 2-0 win over Team Falcons.
- Beat Case Esports 2-0.
- Beat FOKUS 2-1.
Gentle Mates top scorers:
- Haven - 100% wins.
- Fracture - 100% wins.
- Split - 89% wins.
- Ascent - 70% wins.
- Lotus - 64% wins.
It's worth noting that the French team doesn't usually appear on the Pearl map.
Apeks form
The third team in the European ranking won the VALORANT Challengers 2023 Northern Europe: Polaris Split 1 without a chance, confidently shutting down their opponents.
Moreover, Apeks also won the VALORANT Challengers Northern Europe 2023: Polaris Split 2 at the end of the regional season, finishing the championship without a single defeat.
Then, at the Long Cogneg Group Stage of the VALORANT Challengers Ascension 2023: EMEA, the European side took on Case Esports and FOKUS to prove they will be in contention for the slot.
Apeks latest results:
- A 2-0 win over FOKUS.
- 2-0 win over Les Petits Bouffons.
- 3-1 win over FOKUS.
- 2-0 win over Case Esports.
- 2-1 win over FOKUS.
Apeks top scores:
- Lotus - 100% wins.
- Haven - 90% wins.
- Ascent - 83% wins.
- Pearl - 83% wins.
- Split - 60% wins.
- Bind - 50% wins.
- Fracture - 50% wins.
In turn, the European team tries not to appear on the Fracture map.
Gentle Mates - Apeks encounter statistics
The teams have not met before.
Forecast on the match Gentle Mates - Apeks
Quite The International is a heated encounter, as the French team has already proven itself and sealed a place in the play-offs. However, it's hard not to agree with the fact that Apeks have no equal in terms of squad at the tournament.
Looking at the odds, it makes sense to believe in a card from Gentle Mates. Still, I'm more inclined to trust logic. So in this case, I'd recommend betting on an Apeks win.
