Team Vitality announced that Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel will compete against Natus Vincere in the playoffs of VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2. He will replace Blendi “kovaQ” Kovaci in the starting lineup. This information was shared on the club's official page on X.

Sayf was previously a player for Team Vitality and was among the most experienced players in the region. In August, he returned to Vitality as the sixth player after a break related to mental health issues.

kovaQ joined Vitality in June of this year. During this time, he helped the team in regular season matches, but in today's series, he will give up his spot in the starting lineup. It is currently unknown what his future with the club will be.

The match between Navi and Team Vitality will take place today, August 23, at 20:00 CEST. VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2 is being held in BerLIN from July 16 to September 1. The championship features 12 teams competing for a prize pool of $250,000 and two slots at VALORANT Champions 2025. 

Team Vitality lineup for the match
Jokimi “Kicks” Laasner
Felipe “Less” Basso
Nikita “Derke” Sirmitev
Bartosz “UNFAKE” Bernacki
Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel