Aurora Gaming Beats Pixel Lumina 2-0, Reaches Final

Aurora Gaming beat Pixel Lumina 2-0 to reach the Europe Qualifier 1 final. The semifinal match started on Tuesday at 16:00. Aurora won the first map in 41 minutes and the second in 35 minutes.

Aurora had previously lost to BONK and been eliminated from the tournament. However, BONK was disqualified for cheating. According to a report from GINX TV, all of BONK's players and registered participants were temporarily suspended.

The disqualification also changed the schedule. Riot had planned Qualifier 1 for November 5 to 8, with single-elimination and best-of-three matches. The Pixel Lumina semifinal and the final were postponed to make room for the rebuilt tournament bracket. All three affected organizations agreed to the new schedule.

Pixel Lumina, a Hungary-based team, was ranked 120th in the Elo rankings. The team has a rating of 1559 and a record of 30 wins and 28 losses in 58 rated matches. Aurora is not ranked. Pixel Lumina had lost to CGN Esports in the VCL EMEA Last Chance Qualifier 2026.

Aurora's roster includes Boo, chiwa, Derke, B1SK and trexx. Derke joined the team right after Valorant Champions 2026. Vitality had lost 3-1 to LOUD in the grand final of that tournament.

Aurora will face the winner of the xXxMasterProMegaTeamxXx and F9 EICAR match in the final. The final will determine the standings for the Kickoff Qualifier Playoffs. Aurora has already qualified for the playoffs through Qualifier 1, so the final is being played for seeding rather than a spot.

The main goal is to take part in VCT EMEA Kickoff 2027. According to Riot Games, two of the four non-partner teams will come from Europe, with one team each from Turkey and MENA. The Kickoff will be played in person with 12 teams at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin. The rest of the European lineup has not yet been decided. Europe Qualifier 2 will take place from November 12 to 15, also with single-elimination and best-of-three matches.