FROM BTEC TO BIG STAGE
Proud sponsors Ntesports are delighted to report that in a stunning display of resilience, CTRL Esports completed a legendary lower-bracket run to capture the VALORANT championship at EPIC.LAN #47.
Overcoming a devastating early defeat, CTRL exacted their revenge on Twisted Saints Esports (TSC) in a thrilling 2-1 Grand Final comeback at the Kettering Leisure Village.
The weekend did not start as a victory march for the eventual champions. Early in the knockout stage, Twisted Saints Esports sent a shockwave through the tournament by thoroughly dismantling CTRL in a swift 2-0 sweep. The loss banished CTRL to the unforgiving lower bracket.
Facing elimination, the roster—composed of Rudi (rudiVAL), Drog (droggg), Corsa, Narky (narkypoo), and Flank—refused to break.
They dug deep, narrowly defeating REY eSports 2-1 in a grueling lower bracket final to earn their redemption and a rematch on the grand stage.
The Grand Final began exactly how Twisted Saints wanted. Riding the momentum of an undefeated upper-bracket run, TSC’s lineup of Bully, WillyG, Luca, Deqadz, and Waddles stormed onto Haven.
They dominated the server, punishing CTRL’s defensive setups to take Map 1 with a convincing 13-7 victory.
With their backs against the wall, CTRL adjusted their strategy on Bind. They locked down their defensive rotations, neutralized TSC’s aggressive executes, and punched back with explosive retakes. Trading rounds back and forth, CTRL eventually broke away to secure Map 2 at 13-9, electrifying the venue and forcing a winner-take-all third map.
The championship came down to the wide-open sightlines of Breeze. Both teams traded heavy blows, but CTRL held the psychological edge. Armed with momentum and clinical site-holds, CTRL withstood a late-map surge from Twisted Saints. In a tense, down-to-the-wire finish, CTRL secured the final rounds to win the map 13-11, closing out the series 2-1 to lift the trophy and claim the largest share of the £2,750 prize pool.
A Real-World Success Story: CTRL Esports
One of the best examples of the impact esports education can have is CTRL Esports.
CTRL began life five years ago as a student project.
While studying the BTEC in Esports, a group of students pitched the idea of starting their own esports organisation as part of Unit 3: Entrepreneurship to their tutor Nik Turner (MD here at Ntesports).
The concept was ambitious, building a grassroots team that could compete, develop talent and grow as a brand.
Ntesports believed in the students and has sponsored CTRL Esports ever since.
More than just Valorant
CTRL Esports achieved a major double-podium at EPIC.LAN #47, as well as winning the VALORANT championship CTRL secured third place in Counter-Strike 2.
They demonstrated dominance across both FPS titles, with the CS2 roster battling through a 38-team field to earn a share of the prize pool.
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