Universiade Gymnasium of Gwangju Women's University, South Korea.
Holding the semi-finals on a university campus may seem like a magical thing, but for South Korea, which has a high status in e-sports, it is very reasonable.
The stadium was packed with seats. As the only remaining LCK team in this world championship, KT naturally became the hope of the whole village.
After all, what they want to challenge is EDG, which has been dominant since the beginning of this year.
And someone has made statistics, EDG has not lost even a small game in the foreign BO5 so far this year.
This is a very exaggerated figure.
It was better than IG last year, and it also lost to SSG in the knockout round of the S competition.
Now, the No. 1 seeds from the two top divisions in the world are gathered in this semi-final, and you can imagine the amount of attention they can attract.
It is worth mentioning that even though the tickets for this semi-final were priced at a premium of more than 75%, they were still sold out in a very short period of time.
And whether it was a coincidence or other reasons, only a very small number of Chinese people could buy live tickets. Looking around from the stage, the huge venue was filled with black KT flags.
This is a true home game.
However, when the players of the KT team who were in the backstage lounge at this time saw the situation on the scene, a little pressure began to build in their hearts.
It's no wonder when you think about it.
You must know that the venue of this world championship is in their country, South Korea.
If they can't get past EDG, then there will be an unprecedented scene in the S tournament held in South Korea.
That is... there is no LCK team in the finals.
Koreans know Koreans.
They clearly know that if there is no Korean team participating in the finals in Incheon, only a very small number of Koreans will buy it and go to the competition venue.
This is a very realistic thing.
But the impact is definitely not that simple.
Just think about it, why did Riot set up a location to host the S tournament?
If this happens, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for South Korea to host the World Championships in its own country.
This time Riot itself was very dissatisfied with the person in charge of South Korea.
Since the S5 World Championship, the specifications and standards of previous S Championships have been relatively high among all events around the world.
But after arriving in South Korea this year, both the venue facilities and the training environment of the players have received a large number of complaints and rectifications.
If something goes wrong again in the finals...
The Korean E-Sports Association is also under great pressure.
They are under a lot of pressure, and they will naturally pass the pressure on to the only team KT.
As a coach, Noex knew very well how important the responsibility they shouldered in this game, so during the period after the quarter-finals, he slept almost only four hours a day to list the possible lineups that EDG could come up with.
Fill the entire whiteboard, and then explain each question in detail just like Chinese students do when they do May 3rd.
In the process of interpreting these questions, Noex has to stand from the perspective of its own team to improve and broaden its own tactics.
After these few days, he, the entire team of analysts and even coaching assistants have been working together, and now Noex finally has some confidence.
But it's not enough for him to be confident as a coach.
No matter how good the BP is, if you really want to implement the tactics, you still have to rely on the players.
Noex can't guarantee whether the players can do it.
After all, his abilities are not among the top coaches in the LCK. Apart from his professional abilities, Noex is unable to do anything else.
In contrast, inside the EDG lounge on the other side.
EDG's starting jungler has made some adjustments today.
Mingkai comes on stage.
After experiencing the S7 World Championship, Riot decisively adjusted the rules for obtaining champion skins.
According to the new rules, two or more games must be played in the group stage, and at least one substitute player must complete BO5 in the knockout round. Only after winning the championship can the champion skin be obtained.
Mingkai happened to play twice in the group stage, but many fans of the EDG team never thought that EDG would actually choose to let Mingkai start when facing the most difficult KT, instead of letting Mingkai play in the previous game against G2.
Kai Shang.
Although it shows that Kai's performance when he came on the field this year was pretty good, he also had highlight operations, and even broke the curse of the blind monk, but a veteran is a veteran after all.
Judging from Xiaotian's performance in this World Championship, Mingkai still has some shortcomings in comparison.
Part of the reason why KT's coach is a little more confident is because of EDG's starting lineup.
In the opinion of KT coach, Mingkai is indeed easier to deal with than Xiaotian, who is good at playing rhythm in the early stage.
"We're about to play BO5, Qi-chan, let's interview you in advance about your current state of mind."
Meiko held the water glass and handed it to Mingkai pretending to be holding a microphone.
"To be honest, I'm a little panicked."
Mingkai smiled helplessly.
To say that he wasn't panicked at all would be pure nonsense.
After all, this is not the first time he has faced a Korean team in the BO5 stage of the World Championship.
In the 2016 World Finals, EDG was eliminated by ROX.
And the top laner of that ROX team is now KT team’s top laner smeb.
Moreover, the playing styles of the two teams are relatively similar.
The main reason why EDG chose to let Mingkai play in this semi-final is that on the one hand, EDG does have tactics suitable for Mingkai, and on the other hand, it is also because everyone in EDG wants Mingkai, a veteran, to play in the semi-finals.
He left a mark in his career.
As long as we can beat KT.
The opportunity lies in Mingkai's own hands.
"Don't panic, just save it and it'll be over. The alpaca can't beat Lao Li."
Meiko smiled and said: "I analyzed it from an objective and rational perspective. Lao Li is now the world's number one adc. None of you question it, right?"
"It's passed."
Li Luo was a little helpless.
I don’t know since when, the smell of sapphire blue on Meiko’s body became stronger and stronger.
It's just that one person called him "Brother Luo" from the beginning, but Meiko wouldn't call him that. He just kept calling him "Old Li, Old Li". In less than a year, Li Luo felt as if he had really grown old.
"Did you hear what Lao Li said? He has surpassed the number one adc in the world."
Li Luo:......
He suddenly had the urge to ask meiko when she became a Vietnamese translator.
Soon, the referee came over to notify EDG everyone to come on the court.
"Come on today, everyone, just do your best. We don't need to be under too much pressure when playing away games, but they will be under a lot of pressure at home. I believe you are absolutely OK."
Before going on stage, Zhu Kai comforted him in his signature way.
As the life coach of the EDG team, although Zhu Kai is inferior to Abu in terms of business ability, when it comes to encouraging teammates, he is definitely professional. In just over half a year, Zhu Kai has read countless books and psychological consultations.
Based on the relevant books, he felt that even if he stopped being a coach in the future, he would be more than enough to become a psychological counselor.
Li Luo drank the last sip of Coke in the can, burped, and accurately threw the Coke can into the trash can with a light three-meter shot. He waved his hand: "Brothers, go."
The game scene.
In the commentary box.
Guan Zeyuan, Wawa, Miller.
There are three heavyweight figures taking charge of this crucial match.
"To be honest, the atmosphere at the scene today is quite oppressive to us."
After Wawa's eyes scanned around, he found that he only saw a few EDG support flags, and he immediately spoke.
"There is no other way. It's a home game. You have to think about last year at the Bird's Nest. The scene was so spectacular."
Guan Zeyuan spread his hands, thought of something randomly, and shook his head slightly: "It's a pity that SKT's current situation, the team's team and state, it will probably take a long time to adjust. If they don't do it next year,
If there are some major personnel adjustments, it will be very difficult for this team next year."
"It's a pity indeed. After all, the Triple Crown team, without SKT, the S-season will always be missing something. But whether the LCK can regain its glory this year depends on KT. Brother Guan, come on, tell me, do you think they will win?
How sure is EDG?”
Miller began to dig a hole for Guan Zeyuan to jump.
But Guan Zeyuan was not fooled at all and started playing Tai Chi directly: "I think it's 50-50. Although it was a bit difficult for KT to beat FNC in the first round of the knockout round, I have long said that FNC's strength this year is
It should not be underestimated that with the development of League of Legends, the strength of European and American teams is gradually improving."
"So I think playing the full BO5 doesn't mean anything. On the contrary, KT may even gain more experience from this BO5."
"That makes sense, please continue."
Wa Wa is standing by and is ready to continue watching over Ze Yuan's performance.
After the three commentators rambled on in the commentary box for a while, the director finally gave a hint.
Guan Zeyuan was refreshed, but before he started to attack, Wawa and Miller had already guarded him to the point of suffocating him. Now that BP was activated, the two men's attention could finally be diverted.
"The BP for both sides has officially started! EDG is on the blue side, and KT is on the red side. The first three bans for the EDG team are given to Tsar, Rock Bird and Sword Girl respectively! Tsar has nothing to say, Ucal is best at it
One of the heroes, and also one of the heroes that best fits the KT system, the purpose of banning Rock Bird is to limit Score's rhythmic ability."
"As for the last sword girl... it must be to restrict smeb. Smeb has played four sword girls in this world competition and achieved a 100% winning rate. It can be said that his sword girl is still worthy of respect.
"
Guan Zeyuan's analysis is very clear.
The analysis of the KT team is much simpler.
Sword Demon, Xayah, Sivir.
KT is not the only team that will adopt such a first three ban when facing EDG. Even if the commentators don't analyze it, the audience will understand it.
"Then the question is, KT released Kai'Sa like this, and EDG...oh! The first floor is directly locked! Although Kai'Sa has experienced round after round of weakening, it is obvious that this hero is against
For Brother Luo, it means confidence!"
As the baby shouted, EDG's first floor selection landed instantly.
The KT team’s selection of the first and second floors was also very fast.
The casting of Lucian and Braum told the audience that the KT team had a clear priority on the bottom lane in this game.
"Using Lucian to ensure the laning ability, and then partnering with Braum to provide certain protection, KT directly gave the first two hands to the bottom lane. This is because they are worried that there will be problems in the bottom lane."
Miller said slowly.
"Yes, it depends on what EDG chooses next. On the second floor, EDG still decided on Poppy... Hey, even if Xiaotian doesn't play, will EDG still choose to take Poppy first?"
Guan Zeyuan was a little surprised.
Poppy had previously become EDG's top choice because they could allow Jin Gong and Xiaotian to swing in the jungle.
But it was Ming Kai who came up this time.
If Mingkai doesn't know how to play Poppy, KT can easily hang up Poppy as long as he chooses Ryze for Smeb in the top lane.
Although Zeyuan was thinking this, the third floor of EDG relieved him of his doubts.
I saw EDG's third floor locking down Ryze very quickly.
"Snatch it first to prevent you from choosing. EDG's decision is very smart. Poppy is indeed very suitable for EDG's system. In this case, let's take a look at the third floor of the KT team... Direct Syndra to ensure the strength of the line!"
The BP selection speed of both sides is very fast.
It was as if he had already decided in his mind what he would choose for this game from the very beginning.
In the second round of BP, both sides began to target each other's jungle positions without exception.
KT seemed to be sure that EDG's Bobby was on the road, so he decisively banned Pig Girl and Nightmare.
EDG is also unambiguous. The two ban positions in the back are directly given to the old captain's score, Qian Jue, who was a flash in the pan before, and the current version of the popular jungler Xin Zhao.
When the four jungle heroes appeared in the second round of ban positions, both sides obviously did not have many jungle options.
Therefore, the KT team decisively added a formation-destroying wine barrel on the fourth floor. After all, the hero wine barrel is better matched with Kai'Sa. In order to avoid EDG picking it up, there is nothing wrong with KT choosing to grab it directly.
So far, KT has finalized four heroes, leaving only the first-hand counter position for smeb.
However, EDG's next choice made KT team coach Noex's eyes narrow.
I saw that EDG selected Urgot on the fourth floor.
Following the casting process on the fifth floor, the people were finalized.
"The men and horses? It's locked! Be good, the men and horses are fighting in the wild, the factory director's men and horses..."
Guan Zeyuan opened his mouth.
When it comes to the factory director's team, few people would think of his winning rate of over 70% in his career.
When most viewers think of the factory director's people, four words will immediately come to mind.
Horses trample flying arrows.
In the group stage of the S6 World Championship, during a match between EDG and AHQ, the director of the Centaur team tried to use the "avoidance control" feature of the ultimate move to evade the ice arrow when he saw the ultimate move of ice appearing behind him.
Arrow, but unfortunately his choice was not the optimal solution at the time, and the timing of releasing the ultimate move was not well controlled, resulting in his men being hit by Han Bing's ultimate move when it landed.
The horse stepping on the flying arrow has also been praised by countless players.
"This...do you think the blind monk would be better?"
Wawa looked a little frightened by Mingkai's hero.
"EDG should consider team battles more. The team-fighting between Centaur and Cavalry is obviously much better than that of Blind Sin. Moreover, EDG's lineup does lack a team-opening point. Ryze paired with Centaur and Cavalry is also a classic combination."
Miller said thoughtfully.
As we all know, if the Centaur can find a way around the group in a team battle, he will be a very terrifying hero.
But in the professional arena, there are very few strong teams that will give them the opportunity to blindly see behind.
In addition, the hero Ryze was weakened before the World Championship, and not many teams were selected.
Now that these two heroes are paired together, it is quite a surprise to the commentators and even the audience.
However, the coach of the KT team is focusing on the other side at this time.
That is... the auxiliary Poppy.
As a coach, he has a keen insight into the core key that EDG wants to show or try in this game.
That's where Poppy is.
At present, Poppy can already swing in two ways in EDG's system.
If you add support all the way...
EDG's subsequent tactical flexibility will be terrifying.
And it would be a bit of a loss if the hero Poppy was forced to occupy a ban position.
Not cost effective.
"Coach, give me Camille. In this game, they are still relatively weak on the single side, and I can limit their Kai'Sa during team battles."
smeb spoke at the right time, interrupting Noex's thoughts.
Noex did not hesitate, nodded and said: "Okay, then the score of this game is mostly around the top half. As long as we can help Camille gain an advantage, we will win half of this game."
"no problem."
Socre nodded slightly.
He didn't have any special feelings about EDG swinging Bobby to the bottom lane.
At most, it's just that he's not very good at catching the bottom lane.
On the contrary, his mobility in the upper half will be much relaxed.
"In that case...the lineups of both sides are completely finalized."
"The blue side EDG team, Urgot in the top lane, Jungle Jungle, Ryze in the mid lane, and the bottom lane duo is Kai'Sa and Poppy."
"The red side KT team, Kamil in the top lane, Jungle in the jungle, Syndra in the mid lane, and the bottom lane duo is Lucian and Braum."
"The players of both sides are ready, let's enter the first match between EDG and KT in the semi-finals!"
As Wawa's words fell, the sound of cheers belonging to the KT team rushed straight into the stadium. The three commentators felt their ears ringing at this sound.
When the wave ended, Wawa waved his hand unwilling to be outdone: "The sound is great. LPL viewers who are watching the live broadcast, cheer for EDG with me!"
