G2 Esports, FunPlus Phoenix, Team Liquid, and SUMN FC are the first four teams to qualify for the Regional Finals of VALORANT's First Strike Europe series — Riot Games' premier tournament series for their brand new FPS. 

The format of the first qualifier saw teams compete in layers of single elimination brackets, eventually leading to the eight-team playoffs with the best teams in the region. Ninjas in Pyjamas drew the short straw in the quarterfinals by being paired directly against Europe's undisputed best team, G2 Esports. While NiP showed valiant resistance, G2 remained undefeated in the match-up and extended their historical record against NiP to 4-0 (8-1 in maps). 

The NiP vs. G2 match-up meant that one of the quarterfinals would not have a heavy-hitter of a team playing in it, which benefited the roster of SUMN FC from the United Kingdom. The Brits, who've mostly competed in low-tier cups, defeated the Lithuanians from eXiLe eSports 2-0 to earn themselves a spot in their first-ever major tournament.

As for Ninjas in Pyjamas, they will have a few more chances to make it to the First Strike finals, as the second qualifier series begins today, Nov. 16. The Regional Finals themselves are scheduled for Dec. 3-6 with over $100,000 on the line.