Karmine Corp complete stunning turnaround to win VCT EMEA Stage 2
Karmine Corp complete stunning turnaround to win VCT EMEA Stage 2
Karmine Corp completed a remarkable turnaround in their 2026 season by defeating Team Liquid 3:1 in the grand final of VCT EMEA Stage 2.
After finishing Stage 1 with a disastrous 0–5 record, KC rebuilt their campaign, fought their way through the Stage 2 playoffs, and ultimately lifted the trophy in front of thousands of fans at the Olimpic Arena in Badalona.
The title is Karmine Corp 's second regional VCT trophy and also caps a run that secured the organization its first appearance at VALORANT Champions.
KC started the series on their own pick of Sunset and quickly established control.
Liquid managed to keep the first half competitive, but Karmine Corp took over after switching to defense. Dastan "dos9" Zhumagali was particularly influential on Omen as KC repeatedly denied Liquid opportunities to build momentum.
Karmine Corp eventually closed Sunset 13:7 to take an early series lead.
KC punish Liquid on Ascent
Ascent followed a similar pattern.
Karmine Corp immediately took control and entered halftime ahead 8:4.
Liquid won the second-half pistol and appeared to have an opportunity to begin a comeback, but KC immediately stole the following round despite entering with the weaker economy.
That swing effectively killed Liquid's early second-half momentum.
Karmine Corp continued to dictate the pace from there and closed Ascent 13:6, moving within one map of the championship.
Liquid refuse to go quietly
With elimination approaching, Team Liquid finally found their response on Lotus.
The third map developed into the closest contest of the series early on, with both teams repeatedly trading rounds.
This time, however, Liquid found the stronger attacking half after the side switch.
They gradually created separation and prevented KC from mounting another defensive takeover, eventually closing Lotus 13:7.
The victory reduced the deficit to 2:1 and forced the grand final onto Summit.
Karmine Corp erase 0-7 deficit on Summit
Liquid carried their momentum directly into the fourth map.
They opened Summit with seven consecutive rounds and appeared to be well on their way toward forcing a deciding Haven.
Instead, Karmine Corp began clawing back.
KC recovered enough rounds before halftime to keep the map alive, then took control after the side switch as several close rounds began falling in their favor.
The early 0–7 deficit gradually disappeared.
With the championship within reach, Karmine Corp completed the comeback and closed Summit 13:10, denying Liquid a fifth map and sealing the series 3:1.
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Sunset — Karmine Corp 13:7 Team Liquid
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Ascent — Karmine Corp 13:6 Team Liquid
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Lotus — Team Liquid 13:7 Karmine Corp
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Summit — Karmine Corp 13:10 Team Liquid
dos9 earns grand final MVP
dos9 delivered the standout performance of the series while playing Omen across all four maps.
He finished the grand final with a 70/46/23 KDA, 230 ACS, 154.0 ADR, and an 80.1% KAST.
Marshall "N4RRATE" Massey provided additional firepower with 67 kills and 229 ACS, while LêwN recorded 59 kills.
For Team Liquid , kamo led the team with 58 kills and 218 ACS.
From 0-5 to EMEA champions
The title completes an extraordinary reversal for Karmine Corp .
After losing all five matches during Stage 1, the team recovered during the second half of the season and ultimately finished Stage 2 as EMEA champions.
The victory also marks KC's second regional VCT title. Their previous regional triumph came earlier in the organization's VALORANT history, while the team had struggled to finish higher than fourth in subsequent regional events.
Karmine Corp and Team Liquid will now turn their attention toward VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai, with KC heading into the international event as EMEA's Stage 2 champions.
