It was approaching five o'clock in the afternoon, and the stadium was already full of spectators waiting for the game to start.
The first match of the semi-finals features two teams from the LPL, YM and IG.
Although there is no local team in the LCK, due to the relationship between The Shy and Rookie, many Korean fans still came to watch the game and cheer.
College students holding drinks and hot dogs excitedly walked between the seats, stepping on the dark green carpet on the wooden floor.
There were also some staff on site selling support items. In addition to the common inflatable sticks and fluorescent lights, there were also black and white towels specially made by the organizer, with the team names of YM and IG written on them respectively.
A group of Chinese students who came from Seoul to watch the game were originally very excited to discuss today's game. However, after buying towels, they found that there were three black and two white in the team, and they immediately started to quarrel, which attracted the attention of the onlookers.
Get curious looks.
Half an hour before the start of the game, the domestic event broadcast room had already started broadcasting. The commentators were thanking the sponsors for their names while reviewing the results of the eight-to-four series.
In the split screen, the director's shots are always fixed on the competition stage.
The layout style is basically the same as that of Busan Bexco Center. On the Gwangju stage of the semi-finals, there are also faint blue lights flowing on the floor, symbolizing the energy source of the League of Legends world.
Three Summoner statues also stand behind the player seats.
As the camera rolled around, the audience also saw many familiar faces in the VIP seats closest to the competition stage.
Principal Wang's friend Xiaolou, a former professional player who was caught on camera, immediately held up a white towel with the IG team logo printed on it and showed it with a smile.
On the other side, Brother Ba and Yu Xiaoc, who came to South Korea with a group to watch the World Championships, were photographed with the same exaggerated expression waving the black and red towel in their hands, with their mouths expanded into an O shape and roaring, and there were many otaku fans following behind them.
Use the camera to cheer for YM.
There were quite a lot of LOL insiders at the scene.
In the event live broadcast room, online viewers have already impatiently launched barrages.
[Why didn’t you see the principal and Shaozhu? Your team isn’t here to cheer? 】
[Upstairs, the bosses are watching the game backstage in the lounge. You wouldn’t think they still have to buy tickets, right?]
[I’m still here to introduce Colonel KFC, start now! I’m so anxious, I’m so anxious! 】
[Prediction before the game, IG narrowly defeated YM three to two. Do you think my prediction was correct? 】
[Fuck your grandma, YM swept it three to zero!]
…
In the increasingly heated competition atmosphere, the time finally reached five o'clock, and the three square screens hanging above the stage lit up the countdown numbers at the same time.
The hall immediately erupted into a wave of cheers, and the audience also started counting down in unison, reaching the "1" moment.
A fiery red fist representing Riot appeared above the three screens at the same time, causing cracks and dry ice spray spraying from the floor.
The Roaring Emperor in a burgundy suit walked onto the stage and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Summoners present, welcome to Gwangju! This is the venue for the semi-finals of the 2018 League of Legends Global Finals. Tell me loudly, are you ready!?"
After receiving enthusiastic responses from the audience, Roaring Emperor then reviewed the results of the quarter-finals, and at the same time introduced the four teams that advanced to the semi-finals.
Then, the Roaring Emperor turned sideways and directed his gaze to the screen above his head.
The promotional video for the semi-finals started playing.
On the sunny streets of Gwangju, IG's mid laner Rookie (Song Yijin) sat on a chair on the roadside, smiled at the camera, and said in Chinese:
"I think this year is the best year for our entire team. Being able to reach the semi-finals from the playoffs also proves the strength of IG. But I am not satisfied with this. I hope to win tonight's B05 and lead Going to Incheon with our teammates is our ultimate dream."
Then what appeared behind Rookie was IG’s top laner The Shy (Jiang Chenglu). He was sitting in a room with a gray background, looking calm and speaking in Korean.
"It does feel a little different to return to Korea to play, but I don't think this series with YM is any different from the previous one. As long as we can play to our own level, I think IG will win."
The last person to appear was IG’s younger brother, Jackeylove (Yu Wenbo).
He performed well in the eighth to fourth middle school. At this moment, his face was full of youthful spirit, and he said loudly to the camera:
"I bumped into YM in the semifinals. How should I put it? I think it's a good thing, because if you want to win the championship, you can't avoid the YM team. Although they haven't lost a game in the World Championship, as long as they get past this After the first level, I think it will definitely be easier later on. Since we will encounter each other sooner or later, I think it’s okay to fight early.”
"I want to tell the world by defeating YM that the outstanding AD players in LPL are not only Uzi, but also Jackeylove."
After saying this, he gave a thumbs up and smiled like a Shiba Inu. This scene also caused a burst of IG calls on the scene.
But the scene quickly changed, and Su Chen's face appeared on three screens.
He was sitting relaxedly on the sofa, holding an iPad in his hand to watch the IG players' pre-match declarations. After hearing Ah Shui's confident speech, he, who had been expressionless, finally smiled.
"For you, IG should be a very special club. At the beginning of your career, you had the opportunity to join this team, and some stories happened later..." In the voice-over, the host asked .
Su Chen nodded and turned to look out the window. Raindrops continued to hit the glass, and the sky in the evening was already covered with dark clouds.
"When we meet IG in the semi-finals, what kind of series do you think it will be? Are you confident that you can beat them?"
Facing the host's question, Su Chen did not speak, but stood up slowly, put on the black team uniform jacket again, picked up the umbrella at the door and unfolded it.
Then he turned sideways to face the camera and chuckled:
"Does that need to be said?"
Then, he held up his umbrella and walked into the dark night.
The moment the promotional video ends and the screen goes black, the spotlights return to the stage!
In the magnificent BGM, ten players from the two teams appeared on both sides of the stage!
"Let's call out the names of these two teams again!"
“Young MiraCle…and Invictus Gaming!”
The camera flashed across the faces of the contestants.
YM's team members in pitch black uniforms, Xiao Tian with square head and square head, and the left hand beside him, Zhang Xiaowen and others, as well as Su Chen on the far left side of the team, standing with hands behind his back, and a plaid suit next to him
Mengma.
On the other side, the five members of IG wearing gray and white team uniforms had solemn faces, and Coach Jin also pursed his lips and smiled solemnly.
Two teams, one black and one white, straddle the stage like the two forms of Tai Chi.
The audience in the audience also kept tapping the inflatable sticks with their hands, making noises to cheer for the home team.
After the players appeared on stage, Roaring Emperor also introduced the two teams to the audience again.
"Young MiraCle, this team is just like their name. The entire club is full of youthful vitality. With their passion, they continue to create miracles on the court. They are the champions of LPL Spring Split, MSI Championship, and LPL Summer Split.
For a team that only entered the first-tier league in its first year, their journey this year has been a dream!”
"As the leader of this team, JKD seems to be the protagonist in a Hollywood blockbuster. He has received a God-given script. So far this year, his personal performance is the best in the world. With him here, it is difficult to imagine that YM will be in B05.
Defeat!"
"Now they have successfully reached the stage of the semi-finals, just one step away from Incheon. This team will never let the opportunity in front of them slip away easily."
"Invictus Gaming, do you still remember that this is a team that made it out of the play-in rounds?"
"As early as in Seoul, we said not to underestimate IG, the third seed team in the LPL. They have talented solo laners like Rookie and The Shy, and they also have Ning who is full of imagination and big ideas.
The rhythm controller of the heart.”
"What's even more crazy is that in the last round of competition, we also saw the growth and transformation of JackeyLove and BaoLan."
"If you have watched the games of these five IG players, it is difficult not to become a fan of this team. The passion of their games is unique in the history of League of Legends!"
"Unfortunately, only one side is destined to get the ticket to Incheon tonight, but fortunately, these ten people on the field will bring us an unprecedented visual feast. I can't wait to see them
The fight on the field is over!"
"I believe that this will definitely be the most exciting series so far this year. No matter which side you support, promise me one thing, don't let your eyes leave the screen before the game is over!"
"The game will start soon, contestants are invited to take their seats!"
The voice of the Roaring Emperor echoed in the venue, and the screen also switched back to the live event room.
In the second channel, the three brothers Sun Yalong, Sika and Kid in suits and ties appeared in front of the screen.
"Here we come, brothers, the ultimate battle that we have been looking forward to for a year is finally about to begin!" Sun Yalong waved his fist, "As an old IG person, I won't pretend tonight, come on IG!"
Kid, who also just retired from IG, also said: "Rookie is really in the best shape this year. I hope he can realize his dream. I also cheer for IG!"
Seeing that Sun Yalong and Kid were directly showing off their cards, Sika quickly took out a YM team uniform from under the table and put it on directly.
"Don't worry, brothers, we are explaining fairly. They both support IG. I cheer for YM. This bowl of water must be balanced." Sika said seriously.
"Two support IG, one supports YM... This is also called fairness," Sun Yalong said with a disdainful smile after reading the comment, "You look down on Brother Ka Zi's tonnage, right? It's okay for me and Kid to combine to beat him."
.”
"My brothers who have Tam skin, don't be too dark." Sika looked calm.
After making some jokes, the three of them brought the topic back and talked about the game seriously.
"YM's current record in the World Championship is nine wins and zero losses. To put it simply, it has not lost a single game so far. This should be the best semi-final record in LPL history." Sun Yalong said.
"And this team is outrageous," Sika continued. "In the group stage, you saw what they did. The Inventor was top laner. In the last game, they even had Bovy come on and play Raven off the lane. It felt like they were cheating.
Scientific research, but when I looked at the semi-finals, it was not used. It was a simple 3-0 victory over FNC."
"Actually, they are also doing it in the semi-finals. What a rat. Quinn also brought out the top laner. It feels like you can't guess what top laner JKD will come up with. To be honest, this guy is a bit low-key."
Kid couldn't help but sigh: "Jiang Keda this year is really too abnormal. I think the strongest domestic top laner in the LPL should not run away now."
"But IG is not weak either," Sun Yalong said firmly, "Is The Shy weaker than JKD? I don't think so. Everyone knows about Left Hand's "chicken phobia". Xiaotian always wanted to call Ning Wang brother when he saw Ning Wang in YM before.
Yes, to be honest, there should be seniority suppression."
"And IG has a sixth man on the field, I need to talk about this." Kid joked.
"What sixth person?" Sika asked deliberately pretending to be confused.
"Just those four words," Kid said with a wicked smile, "!"
Sun Yalong also laughed when he heard this, and the live broadcast room was filled with "" barrages.
In the days leading up to the semi-finals, there was a lot of discussion, especially after Jackeylove's top performance in the quarterfinals.
In a situation as anxious as IG and YM, if someone sends a wave from above, it is very likely that the situation of the entire series will be reversed.
That's why there are many people making fun of "" barrages.
The three Deyunse brothers analyzed it and their views were relatively clear.
YM has an advantage in the first half of the laning period, while IG has a higher winning rate in the mid-to-late team battles.
Taking into account the advantages of the two teams, in terms of BP, Ice Girl, Kai'Sa, and Niutou, these heroes have a high priority for IG.
On the other side, YM will have to fight hard in the laning phase. They can take advantage of JKD's hero pool to help Zuo Zuo and Xiaotian get stronger heroes in the early stage.
Blind Monk, Xin Zhao, Enchantress, Jace, these are all things that YM can grab.
If YM gained a big enough advantage 20 minutes ago, with their current mature operating capabilities, it should be difficult for IG to regain it.
But if IG gets a good mid- to late-game lineup, and YM doesn’t lead enough in the early stage, then IG’s winning rate will be very high.
"The significance of this B05 is quite great," Sika continued to complain, "YM won, Jiang Keda stepped on IG and went to the finals, proving that you were wrong in not choosing me."
"On the other hand, if IG wins, then they will have defeated the most dominant team in LPL history. If they win the championship, I can't imagine how valuable it will be."
"That's almost it," Sun Yalong waved his hand, "Just kidding, no matter which team advances, our LPL team will go to the finals. Brothers, don't be too crazy."
"OK," Sika nodded, "Let's enter the BP session of the first game together!"
