While Sentinels may have been handed their first LAN loss ever, it’s all according to their master plan to have their easiest road to the finals.
Update: This article was initially published in 2021 and was updated in 2026 to include Sentinels' performance at the tournament and over the years.
Coming into Berlin Masters, all of the smart money and pundits in the world had Sentinels coming out of their group on top and undefeated. But it seems that this was not in the cards for the top team in the world. Something looked off form and Sentinels seemed a bit out of sorts against G2 as they went down 2-0 (13-3, 13-11.) However, it seems that this was all according to plan for the number one seed from NA and current defending Masters champions.
Sentinels unconcerned with first loss
“The match went exactly how we expected it to and wanted to,” Zombs said in a post-match press conference. “Going into the knockout bracket we wanted the seed we're going to get from this so it worked out.”
For many, this matchup between G2 and Sentinels was much anticipated. Bragging rights for EU fans hoping for some vindication for the previous Masters. For some, a possible Grand Finals preview. With G2 taking home the victory, they certainly earned some karma on social media.
All according to plan
However, Sentinels appears to be the one still holding the cards, at least if you ask Zombs.
“We've only played Split and Icebox, which we played already against G2, so we didn't want to show anything else on other maps," Zombs said. "I think it's going to be fine going into the future games.”
This is certainly something that G2 should be aware of if they built up confidence from this victory against Sentinels, and even makes the “first LAN loss” they handed Sentinels mean a lot less in the eyes of pundits, and especially for Sentinels themselves.
“I don't think we prepared at all for this match, to be honest,” Zombs explained.
With no preparation for the match, and certainly one that G2 seemed to have prepared for intensely, one would question whether or not this match has any lasting ramifications beyond the seeding that Sentinels wanted. Potential future matchups include Vision Strikers, 100 Thieves, and Team Envy. All teams who dominated their groups - but teams that Sentinels have massive amounts of experience against. The number two seeds in the other groups, still to be decided, contained a lot more question marks for the team. Certainly, a strategic play rather than one born of chance.
“If we play a NA team we have a ton of experience against them, so it's good. We've also recently scrimmed Vision Strikers, so we're more confident going up against any of these three teams than the other teams if we had the #1 seed.”
Specific matchups have yet to be announced for the Berlin Masters playoff stage. Quarterfinals are to be played beginning on Friday.
Sentinels' Berlin run
This loss to G2 would eventually become Sentinels' only loss in the group stage. After the two round-robins, they did indeed qualify as the #2 seed of the group.
However, their run was quickly cut short by fellow NA squad Team ENVY in the quarterfinal, 2-0. This came as a surprise to many fans and online casino patrons, especially since Sentinels was considered the best team from the region by far. This meant that they were unable to defend their title as the reigning Masters champions from their then-recent Reykjavík win.
The CIS team Gambit Esports were the ones who lifted the Masters Berlin trophy after sweeping Team Envy in the grand final, 3-0. Gambit were the #2 seed from Group C, so perhaps Zombs truly was onto something.
Sentinels in 2026
Sentinels remains a fan-favorite, even on esports betting platforms. The org's peak may have already passed, and the current roster in 2026 is completely different from the 2021 squad, but the brand is still a household name when it comes to VALORANT Esports.
Their most recent win as of the time of writing was Masters Madrid in 2024 after a 3-2 grand final win against Gen.G Esports. They still have a consistent presence on the international stage, although they can't seem to have satisfying finishes in most of them. In Champs 2025, Sentinels didn't even make it past the group stage and exited the event at dead last, without a single win.
Even though none of the "OG" Sentinels roster remains, the org has picked up several powerhouses and notable names in the scene, including Brazilian player Gabriel "cortezia" Cortez. SEN City is still very much alive and bustling, supporting their matches from the VCT Americas up to the Masters and Champions events.
