Fnatic’s opening playoff clash at VALORANT Champions 2025 ended in a nail-biting 2-1 victory over DRX, where resilience and adaptation were on full display. Following an intense series marked by momentum swings and individual brilliance, Strafe Esports caught up with Kajetan "Kaajak" Haremski, Fnatic’s latest addition, to discuss the match, his journey, and the shifting landscape of VALORANT’s meta.
Haven: A Test of Mental Fortitude
Recapping the dramatic turnaround on Map 1, Haven, Kaajak praised his team’s ability to adapt in the moment and overcome early struggles.
“I think it was a pretty intense series, like especially the comeback on Haven. I think our defense was just... We had the reads but we just didn't have a solution on the A side.”
DRX had managed to take a sizable lead in the first half, going up 10-2. But the momentum shifted dramatically after the sides swapped and Fnatic took the pistol round, instilling renewed belief and focus across the roster.
“After winning the pistol, everyone actually started believing or like actually believed that we can come back this game. And yeah, we were just going round by round, taking a lot of space, like which was given for us and we are abusing it pretty well.”
By methodically gaining map control and exploiting weaknesses in DRX’s defense, Fnatic executed one of their finest attacking halves of the season. DRX managed to secure only one defensive round after halftime, as Fnatic clawed their way back to secure a remarkable 13-11 victory, showing off their mental fortitude when times got tough.
The COMEBACK is real for @FNATIC! #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/5N856xbS8A
— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) September 25, 2025
Map Adjustments and Staying Calm
While Haven marked a major victory, Ascent presented new challenges as DRX struck back with coordinated site executions and well-prepared strategies. Fnatic managed to secure six rounds on attack, which was a respectable outcome given their composition.
“We kind of had the reads [on defense], but we just weren't talking what are we gonna do on the sides and stuff because they were just keep hitting A and we were getting abused.”
Despite the setback on Ascent, Fnatic quickly regained their composure on Lotus. The team’s calm mindset and disciplined execution allowed them to deliver a strong performance and confidently close out the deciding map.
Rivalry with DRX
Despite the long-standing rivalry between Fnatic and DRX, Kaajak didn’t feel any extra pressure facing the Korean team for the first time. Fnatic and DRX have now faced each other 5 times in VALORANT Champions since 2021. However, the team stayed calm and focused throughout the match, confident in their game plan.
“It was really competitive and respect to them because they had also some really insane stuff and it was really fun game to play against.”
Fnatic vs DRX record over the yearsFrom Tier 2 to the Biggest Stage
Kaajak’s journey from teams like Zero Tenacity and Apeks to Fnatic has been shaped by a shift in team culture and collective experience.
“The biggest difference is maybe the vibes. In Apeks I had also insane vibes, but in this team I think they're even better. And I think the biggest difference is just like experience and staying calm under pressure.”
Moving up from Tier 2 competitions to the top-level global stage wasn’t easy. In Tier 2, players mostly compete online from their own setups without the added stress of live crowds or constant travel.
But in Tier 1, the challenges multiply—not only do players have to perform in unfamiliar environments with audiences, but the strategic game also becomes tougher.
“Macro-wise or like anti-strat, like people anti-strat much better in Tier 1 than in Tier 2. So sometimes it's hard to play. As a duelist, like you cannot play in the same spots every game because you're just going to get anti-stratted and sometimes you just have to play on the fly.”
Growth as a Player
Almost a year into his stint with Fnatic, Kaajak reflected on how his game has matured. He admits there have been highs and lows, with some of his best performances coming during big events like Toronto and EWC. During those times, he felt particularly strong in how he positioned himself and moved around during rounds. Although he experienced a dip afterward, he feels he’s now on the rise again.
“The most I improved is just reading the map and respecting advantages and like repositioning mid-round. I think that's what I improved the most.”
kaajak (L) and Chronicle of Fnatic react onstage after their victory against DRX (Image Source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)The Changing Duelist Meta
Meta shifts have been a hot topic, especially with the rise of agents like Yoru, Neon, and now Waylay. Fnatic’s primary duelist has mixed feelings about these shifts. While he enjoys playing new agents, he finds the current Yoru playstyle a bit dull.
“You play against an agent that can escape any time, any utility, it's just so bad, you know, like the agent is just so OP.”
He still has hope that Riot will balance Yoru by nerfing him to make the gameplay more fair.
On the other hand, he was more positive about Waylay and Neon. He finds them fun to play, especially Waylay, and is hopeful that Waylay will become a popular choice for main duelists in the future.
“For Waylay and Neon, I think they're cool agents, especially Waylay. I think it's super fun to play and hopefully next year it's going to be more viable to play as like main duelist as Waylay.”
When asked whether he agrees with G2's IGL valyn that Yoru is the best duelist in the meta, Kaajak agreed without hesitation: “I agree. I agree. Absolutely.”
Ready for the Next Challenge
Looking ahead to their matchup against PRX, Kaajak is filled with confidence. He recalled their loss to PRX in Toronto and expressed eagerness for a chance to get revenge on the big stage.
While Fnatic already avenged a previous defeat at the EWC, getting revenge at Champions would mean even more to the team. With a solid map pool and high team morale, Kaajak feels Fnatic are well-prepared to take on PRX.
“I think their map pool is not the best right now. So I think we can beat them and everyone is feeling really confident.”
With composure, experience, and a hunger for victory, Fnatic’s playoff campaign is shaping up to be one of the most compelling stories of VALORANT Champions 2025.
Watch the full interview with kaajak below:
[embed]https://youtu.be/1bhRsuwlr0s[/embed]
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Featured Image Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
