Can you believe it's been nearly five years since the epic Berlin finals of Valorant Champions 2021? As a dedicated player and esports fan since the beta, I often find myself revisiting that tournament. It was such a defining moment for the competitive scene. Millions of us were glued to our screens, wasn't it incredible? The energy, the plays, the sheer tension—it felt like the world was watching to see which team would etch their name into history as the first-ever Valorant world champions.

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Now, who actually took home that coveted trophy? The grand finals was an all-EMEA showdown between the powerhouse Acend and the formidable Gambit Esports. And let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster. The series went the full distance of five maps, a true test of endurance and mental fortitude. Acend ultimately emerged victorious with a nail-biting 3-2 scoreline. But the journey to that result was anything but straightforward.

Let me break down how that historic match unfolded:

  • Map 1 (Breeze): Gambit came out swinging, securing the first map 13-11. It felt like they had the momentum.

  • Map 2 (Ascent): Acend fired right back, showing their resilience with a dominant 13-7 win to even the series.

  • Map 3 (Fracture): This is where things looked dire for Acend. Gambit delivered a stunning 13-3 performance. A complete blowout! At this point, many thought Gambit had broken their spirit.

  • Map 4 (Icebox): The series' turning point. This map was an absolute classic—tense, back-and-forth, and it pushed both teams to their limits, going into overtime. In the clutch, Acend held their nerve to win 14-12, forcing a decisive fifth map.

  • Map 5 (Split): With all the pressure in the world on their shoulders, Acend played a near-flawless final map, closing out the tournament with a 13-8 victory on Split. The celebration was pure emotion.

Remember, Gambit had just ended the incredible underdog story of KRU Esports in the semi-finals, so the hype for this final clash was through the roof. And honestly, it delivered on every promise. It set a gold standard for what Valorant esports could be.

But here we are in 2026, and so much has changed since then! That tournament feels like a foundational chapter. Think about the meta back then—Chamber, the sentinel agent with his teleport and powerful sniper, had just been released a month prior and was the hot new pick. The community was already buzzing about what was next, eagerly awaiting Episode 4.

It's funny to look back at the teasers. Riot was already hinting at a new agent from Manila, Philippines, who we now know kicked off a whole new era of gameplay. From that point in late 2021, the game has evolved in ways we could barely imagine. We've seen:

  • Multiple new agents (including that Filipino agent, who revolutionized initiator play),

  • Several new maps that have become staples in the competitive pool,

  • Major meta shifts driven by both new content and balance changes,

  • And, of course, four more epic Champions tournaments, each crowning a new set of legends.

That first championship in Berlin wasn't just about a winner; it was the moment Valorant proved it was here to stay as a top-tier esport. It laid the groundwork for the global circuits, the intense regional rivalries, and the superstar players we follow today. Whenever I watch the current VCT matches, I can't help but see the echoes of Acend's clutch plays on Icebox or Gambit's strategic prowess. That's legacy, right there.