The competition venue was still very busy with people coming and going.
Even though it was only the group stage, it still aroused the enthusiasm of countless spectators.
Several EDG players returned to the backstage lounge. They were playing in the back and could rest for a while.
Time passes.
After watching a few games backstage, it was finally EDG's turn to play.
Abramovich took a deep breath: "It's best if you can win. If you can't win, you don't have to worry about it. You can just qualify."
There are two qualifying spots in the group stage, but Abramovich does not insist that EDG can get the first place.
Even when he was placed in a group with SKT, all Abramovich wanted to do was compete for second place.
As for the first one, he basically has no idea.
It's not that Abramovich really thinks SKT is much better than EDG, but it's just an inertial thinking.
Even if EDG defeated SKT during MSI, this kind of inertial thinking cannot be changed in a short while.
"It's not that..." Ye Zi smiled: "On the contrary, I think the pressure should be on their side."
"Oh?" Abu asked curiously, "How do you say that?"
Yates explained: "SKT lost during the MSI, and now they must regain their position.
In the eyes of the outside world, our strength is definitely not as good as SKT.
In this way, we have no pressure whether we win or lose, but SKT is different..."
Ye Zi didn't finish his words, but everyone present already understood what he meant.
It would not be a shame for EDG to lose to world champion SKT, but if SKT loses to EDG, it would be a big shame for them.
After Ye Zi explained it like this, everyone felt much relieved.
Abu couldn't help but said: "Yi Zi, you have a lot of lies."
God is so crooked... I call this dialectical thinking, okay?
Ye Zi secretly complained.
Immediately, the entire EDG team walked out of the lounge and headed to the arena.
…
On the other side, SKT backstage lounge.
As Yates predicted, the atmosphere within the SKT team is not relaxed.
Others may underestimate EDG, but SKT, which failed in MSI, will not do so.
On the contrary, the whole team attaches great importance to this game.
Kkoma: "Don't you always want revenge? This is your chance. If you defeat them, you can avenge your shame."
Bang: "I'm afraid it won't be that easy. Judging from yesterday's game, they seem to be much stronger."
Everyone was silent for a while.
They all watched yesterday's game, and Delevingne was really scary. Even after watching it, they felt a little panicked.
If they were beaten as badly as AHQ...
That kind of scene is terrifying to think about.
Although the probability of this happening is very low, several team members are still afraid from the bottom of their hearts.
Faker suggested: "Ban his Draven."
Everyone quickly agreed and agreed to ban Draven.
Um?
Seeing this, KKoma couldn't help but frown. He didn't expect the team members to be so afraid of Yezi's Draven.
In his opinion, Delevingne can indeed play, but the conditions for playing are also very demanding.
It's not as simple as it seems to be effective. As a result, all the team members were scared to death.
Realizing this, Kkoma's eyes flickered slightly. He originally wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.
"Let's go, let's get started."
…
As soon as his eyes turned, the players from both sides were already in place, debugging the equipment.
Commentary seat.
Remember to talk to Guan Zeyuan when explaining today.
At this moment, the two people were standing on the stage in suits and ties, with smiles on their faces.
"Hello everyone, welcome to the group stage match between EDG and SKT. I am Ze Yuan, the commentator for this game."
"I remember."
"Everyone must have been looking forward to today's game. EDG and SKT have a long history. Now that they meet, I believe it will be a wonderful game."
"Yesterday, EDG defeated the AHQ team with overwhelming force. There is no problem with the condition of the players. I don't know if EDG can continue yesterday's record today and win SKT in one go."
I remember saying: "If EDG can get this point from SKT, I think EDG should be safe in qualifying.
But it’s hard to say, SKT is a Triple Crown team after all, and its strength is definitely not comparable to that of AHQ.”
"EDG's top laner was replaced by Zoom." Guan Zeyuan: "I don't know if Zoom, the newcomer, can withstand the pressure against Huni."
Looking at EDG's lineup, Guan Zeyuan couldn't help but secretly shake his head.
In his opinion, the ability of a newcomer like Zoom to play in the World Championship is very limited, so it might be better to let mouse play.
Remember: "I think we should face this game as a challenger. Winning or losing is not important. What is important is to gain something."
The commentator is very smart. The outcome of this game is unpredictable. In order to prevent the fans from going crazy if EDG loses the game, the commentator constantly inoculates the audience on the stage.
After some guidance, the game finally started.
On the screen, the picture transforms into a competition interface.
"Coming!"
I remember that Guan Zeyuan was very excited. Not only the audience, but the two of them were also looking forward to this game.
In the audience, seeing the BP interface appear, the audience reacted even more strongly.
"Finally here!"
"The commentary is so awesome, it should have started long ago."
"Come on EDG! We must win."
"It's a bit difficult, SKT is not a scrap team like AHQ."
"MSI can win, and it can win now."
In the live broadcast room, the audience began to send comments one after another. Naturally, LPL fans still support EDG more.
Of course, the audience is extremely real.
They only supported EDG verbally, but when betting in the live broadcast room, they still won more than SKT.
At this time, another change appeared on the screen, Guan Zeyuan: "SKT actively chose the red side, so EDG is still the blue side.
The blue side banned people first, and EDG took the initiative to ban Galio."
"SKT backhandedly banned Kalista and Draven. It seems that SKT is still quite wary of God Z's hero pool."
Remember: “I wonder if SKT will ban Xiao Pao again, Xiao Pao is also Z God’s signature hero.
But if you ban the cannon, then all the other EDG heroes will be released."
Guan Zeyuan: "I think it's enough to ban these two heroes. Bang's hero pool is also very deep. Small cannons are not a particularly critical point. There is no need..."
Halfway through the conversation, EDG banned Ryze and Barrel with two or three moves.
No problem, these two heroes are SKT's signature heroes in the middle and jungle. What made Guan Zeyuan speechless was not this, but that SKT's third player actually banned Xiaopao.
"It's not necessary." Guan Zeyuan murmured: "Bang can grab small cannons. There are many heroes who can fight small cannons. Banning small cannons is unscientific."
"puff!"
When Guan Zeyuan mentioned the word science, the audience couldn't help laughing.
Science? You deserve to mention science?
"The colonel has done his job. Originally, SKT didn't want to ban Xiaopao. After the colonel said that, Xiaopao was put in jail."
The audience kept teasing on the barrage, and BP continued.
With the cannon being banned, the first three bans for both sides have been completed.
EDG's top three bans are: Galio, Ryze and Barrel.
SKT's top three bans are: Kalista, Draven and Cannon.
"Three ban AD?"
In the EDG team, seeing SKT targeting him like this, Ye Zi's eyes flashed with helplessness.
To be honest, there aren't many AD players out there who can play first. Playing against SKT is different from playing against AHQ.
When playing AHQ, Yezi is confident that he can pick heroes casually, and the opponent can't beat him, but he can't be too casual when playing SKT.
If you go out first, you will easily be countered by your opponent.
"Take Luo first."
EDG has no choice. Xia Luo is outside this game, so they can only choose one from Xia Luo.
As for the two heroes Xia Luo, Luo has a higher priority, and EDG is also better at playing a group-opening system with Luo as the core.
After Luo locked up, SKT quickly locked in Xia + Feng Nu.
"SKT's bottom lane combination is a bit strong." Guan Zeyuan: "Fengnu is now the first sister of Xianglu. His shield can increase the attack power of a big sword. After Xianglu comes out, the gain on AD is quite terrifying."
Remember: "EDG is not easy to choose AD. If you choose a hero like Rat Mouth, the early laning will be too weak."
"BP was tricked."
At this time, Nofe also noticed something was wrong.
Originally Xia Luo was supposed to occupy one of SKT's ban positions, but now SKT has released both Xia Luo, and instead has taken the initiative.
After all, if Xia Luo is released, they will most likely choose Luo.
As for the hero Luo, his laning strength is relatively average. Taking Luo means losing the initiative in the bottom lane.
This trick may not have obvious effects on other teams, but it is somewhat fatal to EDG.
After all, EDG is a team with the bottom lane as its core. If EDG is not allowed to fight in the bottom lane, EDG's strong points and rhythm will be limited.
After thinking about everything, Nofe couldn't find a good way. No matter what AD he took, it was not easy to beat the combination of Feng Nu + Xia, unless he chose the policewoman.
However, the error tolerance rate of choosing a female police officer in this version is too low, especially in the mid-term, the female police officer has no combat ability. Even if Luo starts a good team, he will not be able to achieve the effect EDG wants.
"It's hard to handle."
It was EDG's turn to choose a hero, and Nofe couldn't help but be stumped.
Yates: "I can go in the second round."
"Huh? Second round?"
After Ye Zi finished speaking, everyone present was shocked.
The opponent has already banned three ADs. If Yezi plays AD in the second round, SKT may have to ban two more ADs.
By then, there will be even less AD available.
Nofe asked: "What do you want to use?"
Yezi smiled slightly and slowly said a hero's name: "Sivir."
Nofe's eyes lit up and she felt suddenly enlightened.
Sivir AD is one of EDG's reserve lineups. It is not a killer, but it is a lineup with a very high minimum limit and fault tolerance rate.
Now, it just comes in handy.
"It's impossible for them to imagine this AD."
The corners of Nofe's mouth raised.
This time, KKoma may have miscalculated.
EDG's second and third hands are locked - Prince, Clockwork Demon.
"Eh?" Guan Zeyuan was surprised: "EDG hasn't used AD yet? AD will be banned in the second round."
I remember that I was still puzzled and couldn't figure out EDG's thoughts at all.
"Prince and Clockwork are also good. This combination is very effective in the game, and it is also a commonly used hero in the middle and jungle of SKT. It is equivalent to grabbing instead of banning."
"But the question remains, what should AD do? Does EDG want to let AD go?"
In front of the screen, the audience was also a little confused.
EDG has always been the bottom lane as the core of BP, but today...
"What are you doing?"
"You don't want to win, do you?"
"Can't you see? EDG's bottom lane is restricted by SKT, and there is no way to play around the bottom lane."
"SKT is really cowardly and has the ability to release God Z's heroes."
In the live broadcast room, viewers began to send comments.
As for SKT, kkoma was also surprised to see EDG's draft pick: "Want to choose EZ?"
Bang nodded: "I think I want to mix growth..."
"Then ban his EZ as well." kkoma said decisively: "As long as their bottom lane is blocked, we can handle the other lanes."
Everyone nodded. Now everyone has reached a consensus on EDG's strong bottom lane. As for the other lanes... it didn't leave a deep impression on them.
After some discussion within the team, SKT finally decided on the third hero - Rock Bird.
At this point, the first round of BP for both parties ends.
EDG: Luo, Prince, Clockwork Demon.
SKT: Fengnu, Xia, Yanque.
"If you look at the first three picks, I think the EDG lineup will be more solid." Guan Zeyuan looked at the screen: "But SKT should add two front rows in the future. In this case, it is hard to say whether the lineups of the two sides will be better."
Remember: "The main thing is AD. If SKT bans two more ADs, what other ADs can be used outside?"
This question is also a question for everyone.
At this time, the second round of BP begins.
Compared with the first round, the BP speed in the second round was much faster.
As predicted by the commentator, SKT banned the AD position again in the second round.
EZ, Verus!
Seeing this scene, everyone suddenly took a breath of cold air.
FivebanAD!
"Oh my God! SKT banned five ADs directly!" Guan Zeyuan: "This doesn't allow God Z to play the game."
I remember thinking: "Is it really necessary to take the mouse/big mouth?"
"Han Bing?" Guan Zeyuan: "I think the laning of Han Bing is okay, but with Han Bing + Luo, the damage will be too much."
"Lucian?"
"Lucian is not in the late stage. If Feng Nu comes out of the incense burner, Lucian can't beat him. The strong period only lasts ten minutes, and it's not that strong. If the opponent doesn't fight, there's nothing EDG can do."
The commentator tried several heroes in succession, but they all passed them by themselves.
During this period, EDG banned SKT's Jess and Gnar.
Immediately, SKT took the lead in choosing the hero-Pig Girl.
When it was EDG's turn to choose a hero, everyone's eyes widened, and Guan Zeyuan and Anhui were no exception.
"What would you choose?"
The answer was quickly revealed - Troll, Sivir.
"What?"
Seeing these two heroes, everyone in the audience couldn't help but exclaimed. The troll was not that strange, but Sivir...
"It turned out to be this hero..." Guan Zeyuanhe remembered being speechless. The two of them guessed for a long time, but they completely missed the guess.
Remember: "Sivir is a hero who doesn't play many times. I remember that FNC's AD European City likes to use this hero, and the effect is pretty good."
Guan Zeyuan: "At least it's more comfortable to line up than Rat Mouth. If you choose Sivir, EDG's bottom lane should be defensive."
"Let's see what SKT will get in the final pick."
With that said, SKT’s last choice is locked-Big Chong.
With the big bug selected, the lineups of both sides are as follows:
EDG, blue square.
Top Road: Troll
Jungler:Prince
Mid laner: Clockwork Demon
Bottom lane: Sivir
Assistant: Luo
SKT, red side.
On the Road: Big Bug
Jungler: Pig Girl
Mid laner: Rock Bird
Bottom lane: Xia
Assistant: Feng Nu
The lineup is determined, and players change heroes among each other.
Sivir's talent: Zeal of War, Summoner skills: Teleport, Flash.
Luo's talent: Courage of the Colossus, summoner skills: Ignite, Flash.
When the countdown ended, Nofe patted several players on the shoulders.
Immediately, he bowed and shook hands with the opponent's coach and left the field.
The game enters the loading interface, and the first matchup between EDG and SKT in the group stage is about to begin.
