Paper Rex just punched their ticket to a fifth international grand final, and they had to go through their most familiar dance partner to get there. PRX took down Edward Gaming 2-1 at VALORANT Masters London in a semifinal that delivered exactly the kind of chaos both teams have become known for producing when they share a server.

In a post-match press conference, PRX head coach Alexandre ‘alecks’ Sallé reflected on what has quietly become one of VALORANT’s most compelling rivalries. Every time these two teams meet, he noted, the result is “fireworks” and “intense” games littered with overtime periods.

A rivalry built on aggression and stability

Both organizations have maintained remarkably stable rosters, which means the players know each other’s tendencies the way old chess opponents memorize each other’s openings. Both teams play an aggressive, high-tempo style, turning their encounters into appointment viewing.

Alecks has been coaching PRX since February 2021, giving him a front-row seat to every chapter of this rivalry. He recently extended his contract through 2026. The coach specifically highlighted the role of Operator players in these matchups, pointing to consistently strong individual performances from both sides.

How the semifinal played out

EDG took Breeze 13-15, PRX responded on Fracture with a 14-12 victory, and the decider on Split went to PRX with a 13-6 scoreline.

The 2-1 series win sends PRX to their fifth international grand final. For a team that originally transitioned to VALORANT in 2021, the consistency of their international performances is notable.