In the playoff stage of the VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1, the upper bracket semifinals took place. Team Heretics confidently defeated BBL Esports , while Fnatic overcame Team Liquid in a tense series. Both teams secured a spot in the upper bracket final and guaranteed their place at the VCT 2025: Masters Toronto . Team Liquid and BBL Esports dropped to the lower bracket, where they will continue to fight for a spot at Masters.

Team Heretics vs BBL Esports
In the first upper bracket semifinal match, Heretics faced BBL. The match was played on the maps Ascent (13:10) and Icebox (14:12) — both won by Heretics, concluding the series with a 2:0 score.

The best player of the match was Benjy “benjyfishy” Fish. He scored 259 ACS in the match, which is 29% higher than his average over the past six months. 

Team Liquid vs Fnatic
The second upper bracket semifinal match was between Team Liquid and Fnatic . The series stretched to three maps: Split (13:10), Icebox (11:13), and Fracture (12:14). Fnatic claimed victory with a 2:1 score.

The MVP of the match was Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin from Liquid. His total ACS for the match was 234, which is 2% higher than his average over the last six months. 

Matches of the Next Day
Key matches on May 11 will feature the lower bracket games: Natus Vincere will face Team Liquid , and FUT Esports will go up against BBL Esports . Both matches will determine who continues to the lower final and who exits the tournament.

Full list of matches:

Natus Vincere vs Team Liquid — May 11, 18:00
BBL Esports vs FUT Esports — May 11, 21:00

VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 1 runs from March 26 to May 18 in Germany . During the event, 12 teams are competing for three slots at VCT 2025: Masters Toronto and two slots at the Esports World Cup 2025.