On the first day of the group stage, IG's performance was slightly sluggish, and C9 once had a huge advantage.
Fortunately, international friend Jian Huang sent a wave of warmth at the critical moment, giving IG a chance to make a comeback.
After the game, IG was naturally criticized in various ways.
Many passer-by players also feel that with IG’s performance, it will be difficult to go far in the global finals.
However, IG's subsequent performance opened lower and moved higher.
I don’t know whether it’s because the team has gotten better with each other, or because the players have regained their confidence, but IG’s performance is getting better and better, with consecutive victories.
After the qualifying rounds, IG successfully advanced to the group stage.
At the same time, the draw results for the group stage were newly released.
Group A:FW,GRF,FNC,C9.
Group B:V5,AFS,TL,VIT.
Group C: SKT, 100T, MAD, IG.
Group D: G2, RNG, PVB, GRX.
Major LPL commentators and even professional players have given their personal opinions on the results of the group stage draw.
Miller: "Currently, Group A is a veritable death group, and the competition will be fierce visually. Next is Group B, where V5 is located. As for Groups C and D, there is a high probability that there will be no upsets." p>
Wawa: "Indeed, there are three strong old teams in Group A, plus a dark horse new team from LCK, which is full of excitement!"
Colonel Guan: "Hey guys, are 100T really going to be in the same group as SKT? Yue Lun, you must seize the opportunity for revenge this time!"
Remember: "As a former LMS division commentator, I really hope that the LMS division can achieve better results this year, otherwise the LMS division will really be disbanded. Unfortunately, judging from the grouping situation, it is difficult to reach the top eight.
Difficult!"
Changmao: "For our LPL, this is a good signing. All three teams have a high probability of qualifying."
Ruofeng: "The TL where Xiaoxiao and M Shen are together are really not weak, not to mention the top laner Damu. I think there is a chance to grab a top eight spot from the African team."
Xiaoxiao: "IG's pick is really good. I'd say it's bad luck. Why do you say that, even if you can't beat SKT in the group stage, you can at least compete for second place and advance. In this way, IG won't be able to win until the finals."
Meet SKT again."
Shenchao: "RNG's promotion situation is quite clear, but we need to pay attention to G2 in the same group. If we can qualify first in the group, it will definitely be the best to qualify first in the group."
PDD: "The LPL is rising! Brothers, work harder and strive to be first in all groups. The top four that failed to complete last year encircled SKT, let's do it again this year!"
Sister Zhou: "Brothers, follow Sister Zhou and rush! I have already bought the tickets and go to the scene to cheer for LPL!"
Principal Wang: "No nonsense, if IG wins the championship, it would be very interesting to draw one million."
After Zhuge Liang read the lottery grouping, he generally agreed with the mainstream opinions on the Internet.
This time the LPL lottery is a no-brainer, and all three teams have a very high probability of qualifying.
However, the strength of each group in the group stage is too even, which means that the teams that advance to the quarterfinals will basically not be too weak.
In other words, in the knockout stage starting from the quarter-finals, no matter how the draw is, it will almost always be a tough battle!
……
The stage for the group stage is located at the Busan Convention and Exhibition Center in Kimchi Country.
It is still the golden autumn season in China, but the temperature in Kimchi Country is already quite cold.
Especially since the competition venue is located in an area close to the sea like Haeundae, the air is humid and cold.
Before V5 set off, Zhuge Liang made various preparations and asked the players to bring down jackets.
In addition, Boss He personally supervises the team, but he does not interfere in professional affairs and is more like a "logistics supervisor".
With money on the way, V5’s various logistical conditions can be described as luxurious.
The hotel that Riot Games arranged for us to stay at was too low-grade, so we just went to a five-star hotel and a special car was responsible for the pick-up and drop-off.
The club also covers the flight and alcohol expenses for the players’ relatives and friends.
There are five or six star chefs accompanying the team. The contestants can eat whatever they want, and there is no repetition every day.
There is no shortage of personal doctors, physical therapists, psychological counselors, etc.
There is even a very impressive incentive system hanging in the team's temporary training room.
In comparison, the conditions of WE last year can only be described as shabby.
With this treatment and reward, if Xiye were to play mid lane, he would definitely kill all the opposing players, including Lee Sang Hyuk!
On the other side, IG’s Principal Wang is also a man who is not short of money, so the arrangements he makes are naturally of the same high standard.
As a result, the two teams lived "opposite" each other, making it much more convenient to go from house to house.
Ever since, Principal Wang can often be seen here at V5.
"Brother Cong, why are you running to us when you have nothing to do?" Boss He stopped Principal Wang very vigilantly.
"You don't need to greet me. I know you are busy with work. I can just walk around by myself!" Principal Wang smiled, brushed past Boss He and walked in.
"Brother Cong, don't think that I don't know what you are planning. I tell you, it won't work!" Boss He quickly stopped him.
"Ahem, I can't have any bad intentions. I just want to chat, treat everyone to a meal or something." Principal Wang said confidently.
"Brother Cong, you are also a decent person, can you please stop taking poaching so naturally?" Boss He looked like an old hen protecting her young.
"Damn, you still have the nerve to say that I was the one who came first!" Principal Wang blushed and stretched his neck.
"Who made your club do so many weird things? Isn't it a wise move for Wolong to choose to cooperate with me?" Boss He said heartily.
"It doesn't matter. Next year I will knock it down and rebuild it, and clean up all the waste." Principal Wang looked slightly dissatisfied.
"Are you serious?" Boss He was slightly stunned.
"You should be very clear about the prospects of the blue ocean of e-sports. We are also throwing money at clubs. I finally saw the Immortal Shield in Dota. I can't make a splash in League of Legends, right?" Wang
The principal said slowly.
"Brother Cong, you'd better hire someone else, Gao Ming! Let me tell you the truth. After V5 won the summer championship, I wanted to renew my contract with Wolong in advance, but according to his wishes, I might leave the professional arena temporarily.
"Boss He looked around and then whispered to Principal Wang.
"That's right, people like him only enter this circle out of interest." Principal Wang was silent for a long time and sighed with a slight regret.
"For the sake of the fact that we are all brothers, I will reveal an inside story to Brother Cong. Although Wolong will leave the professional arena, he may not completely withdraw from the industry. He does not have the time and energy to manage the club, so he can occasionally help out with the head office, right?
"Boss He took the initiative to sell his favor.
"You mean?" Principal Wang's eyes lit up.
"That's what I plan to do. You see, when we start a company, we often need to spend money to hire business consultants. Why not introduce this model to the e-sports industry?" Boss He nodded.
"Consultant of the E-Sports Club, that's interesting!" Principal Wang pondered for a while, and most of the gloom on his face dissipated.