VIT Jamppi on the Shanghai crowd: "I'm an entertainer after all"
Team Vitality in-game leader Elias "Jamppi" Olkkonen opened up about the atmosphere at VALORANT Champions 2026. In a post-match interview, he praised the incredible Shanghai crowd and detailed how his squad maintained focus during high-pressure moments.
The match saw a intense struggle on Abyss, where the score reached a deadlock at 11:11. Jamppi credited the team's experience for helping them navigate the opponent's comeback. He explained that his primary goal was to keep the team grounded, instructing his teammates to stick to their agreed-upon strategies and play naturally despite the tension.
"I think experience helps. We had a similar situation against LOUD where they came back. I just tried to tell the boys, 'Let's just keep doing the same stuff we agreed and just keep playing normal.' Even at 11:11, we kept fighting together. Abyss is a very attack-heavy map, and you have to prepare for these shifts," Jamppi said. He expressed pride in the team's mentality and their refusal to back down.
The conversation also touched upon the complexities of playing Yoru while serving as the IGL. Jamppi highlighted the importance of balance and the support provided by his teammates. With Derke acting as the primary duelist, Jamppi feels he has the freedom to be aggressive and take crucial duels when the game demands it, a responsibility he embraces to benefit the team.
Finally, the Vitality leader spoke about the emotional impact of the Shanghai audience. With the tournament moving to the Mercedes-Benz Arena for the final stages, Jamppi described the opportunity to play before thousands of fans as a dream come true, noting that the energy from the crowd has been nothing short of incredible.
Following their victory over G2 Esports, Team Vitality has advanced to the upper bracket final of VALORANT Champions 2026. The upper bracket final is set for October 16, followed by the grand final on October 18.
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