LOL: Can’t I play other games professionally?

Chapter 161: The whole network is in uproar! EDG actively chooses SKT, the second place in the group, as their semi-final opponent

The five-day MSI group stage has come to an end.

The next step is the selection of opponents for the knockout stage. According to the current MSI rules, EDG, who ranks first in the group with a record of 9-1, will have the priority to actively choose their opponents for the semi-finals.

Riot's official staff arrived at the EDG lounge on time to confirm the opponents to be selected to ensure that the schedule can be announced as soon as possible.

After the group stage, we will have a three-day break before facing the knockout stage, so the progress is very fast.

Nofe touched his chin and said without thinking:
"There's not much difference between Flash Wolves at 4-6 and G5 at 5-2. It doesn't matter which one you pick. Let's stick to the old rules and pick Flash Wolves, who are at the bottom. After all, G2 has been in good form these past two days. Let them give SKT some trouble. If they can force something out of them, everyone will be happy."

Everyone else nodded.

It has always been customary to choose the last one.

Besides, FW is in classic form, with a strong start but a weak finish. Their condition is not as good as when they first started the game, so they can easily win the game with a 3:0 victory.

"Lin Ruo, what do you think?"

Nofe subconsciously turned his head to ask for opinion, even though he knew Lin Ruo would most likely nod and leave it at that.

There was no way. Lin Ruo's help was needed too much in the BP design. Nofe had to admit that he had unknowingly become extremely dependent on him and had to ask about everything to ensure that everything was foolproof.

"That's what you asked me, coach."

Lin Ruo folded his hands, thought for a moment, and then smiled and said, "Why don't we choose SKT to make it a little more difficult."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire lounge suddenly became eerily quiet, and everyone looked up at the same time.

The fist officer in charge of recording froze.

Mingkai, who was drinking water, couldn't help but spray Abu next to him in the face, choking him and making him unable to extricate himself.

There were more than ten people in and outside the lounge, all with expressions of disbelief.

Don’t fight with European and American losers, don’t bully Taiwan’s phantom gods, do you really want to show off to SKT?
Is it floating or floating...

……

At this time, in the lounges of the G2 and FW clubs, both sides had already studied their opponents in advance.

After all, there is no need to guess what the result is.

The first pick and the fourth pick are like this every year.

"It's highly likely we won't win against EDG. We'll just have to do our best. Winning a single match will be considered a success."

Ksara lay on the chair with his arms and legs spread out, feeling extremely calm. Replacing TSM and entering the semi-finals was already a mission accomplished, and he didn't dare to think about anything else.

Maple smiled bitterly, "It's a shame. We might still have a little hope against SKT, but against EDG..."

So far in IEM, the team has lost all three games against EDG, and all the defeats were terrible, with no possibility of an upset at all.

There is only the possibility of being crushed.

If you want to beat them, even treating everyone to a bowl of beef noodles before the game may not be enough.

"I'll try my best to avoid being killed by Lin Ruo. If that doesn't work, I'll try to steal G2's strategy and get Ziggs in the bottom lane. Maybe I can actually win the game."

Betty laughed at herself, her mentality was already bad.

Among all the bottom laners at MSI, he was killed the most times by the EDG duo. The data is right in front of you, and you really can't deny it.

The same goes for the auxiliary snake mentality.

In front of EDG, they were no match at all.

"Just adjust your mindset, play at your best, and leave no regrets."

...

In the G2 lounge, everyone still has fighting spirit.

"When playing against SKT, you can't compete on operations or play with late-game lineups. You still have to fight hard in the early and mid-game."

Perkz counted on his fingers and planned to go back and review the video of EDG's double kill of SKT to find a way to target SKT.

In contrast, Zven was clearly more prepared: "We had to come up with new strategies and tactics. Although EDG's two lineups were relatively conventional, their early strategies were very fresh, which is why they defeated SKT so cleanly."

At this moment, a Riot staff member knocked on the door and brought information about the semi-finals schedule.

The lounges of G2 and FW received the news almost at the same time.

"Since EDG actively chose SKT as their opponent, you will play against FW in the semifinals."

"…, you will face G2 in the semifinals."

After being stunned for a long while, both clubs cheered at the same time in response to the unexpected surprise.

"Oh my god, EDG, Perzk, did you hear that? We have a chance to make it to the finals." Coach YoungBuck hugged A-P and was in a carnival state.

A P calmly opened Twitter in the gap and sent a message before anything else.

Zven proudly straightened his face. "It seems that inviting Lin to play PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds was the right decision. There's no doubt that we've developed a deep comradeship."

In the FW lounge, everyone was excited and quickly packed up their peripherals.

"The preparation time is quite short, only three days. We have to go back and review and train quickly."

Coach Steak, with a messy head of hair, was holding a notebook and urging everyone at the door.

Betty also shook off her slump.

Karsa was even more delighted. Although they lost to G2 twice in the group stage, the process was not one-sided. They were almost always one step behind.

In other words, as long as they adjust their late-game decisions and details and avoid mistakes, they can definitely defeat G2.

Advancing to the MSI finals is an unimaginable thing for their LMS region.

It turns out that pie really does fall from the sky.

...

"What's the club next door so excited about?"

Huni stood by the door, glancing out from time to time, feeling confused.

"Xiba, G2 don't think we're easy to beat, right? Humph, we'll see."

Wolf didn't think about it, but guessed in his heart, and then reasonably speculated: "Could it be that EDG chose us..."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible." Bang, sitting in his chair, felt both angry and amused. He took a sip of his drink and said, "Just because they lost in a Bo1, they don't think they can really beat us in a Bo5, right? EDG can't even avoid us. A finals meeting is inevitable."

Peanut nodded in agreement.

EDG probably won't pick them in the semifinals.

Then... a Riot staff member came over, stood at the door and said with a smile:
"I have some potentially bad news. EDG has chosen you as their semifinal opponent."

Bang, who was slapped in the face in seconds, sprayed a mouthful of salt soda on the face of coach Wang Leehom who was sitting next to him.

"Xiba, is EDG crazy?"

"EDG, it seems like they think they can easily defeat us."

Faker, who had remained calm throughout, suddenly changed his expression and showed a hint of anger.

As for the hot-tempered Wolf, there's no need to mention him. He clenched his fists as big as sandbags and looked like he was ready to hit someone at any time.

I'm just guessing, you're serious.

"EDG really underestimates others. We'll see. We'll make them regret it in the semifinals."

Huni was also very angry.

Wang Leehom quietly wiped the water off his face the whole time. For some reason, he suddenly felt relieved. Looking at the performance of his teammates, he felt that this was not absolutely bad news.

At least the fighting spirit has been aroused.

What we need to do next is to prepare with all our strength for the upcoming semi-finals, or we can call it the finals in advance.

"Lin Ruo...what do you mean?"

Peanut was also angry, but beneath his excitement there was a hint of disappointment.

It turns out that his sincere friends look down on him in this way.

Do you think they are better than the other two teams?
Puzzled, Peanut opened Twitter and sent a private message with a question mark.

Lin Ruo quickly replied with a long string of messages. After reading them word by word, Peanut felt relieved as if a huge stone in his heart had fallen to the ground.

"So that's what he thinks. He doesn't mean to look down on us. Okay, see you in the semi-finals."

……

Half an hour after the group stage ended.

Riot immediately released the semi-final schedule on the official League of Legends Twitter account.

5:19 on May 13th:
G2vsFW.

18 p.m.
EDG vs SKT.

The official comment section was in an uproar.

[God, I guess the Riot staff must have drunk two bottles of Lafite and accidentally arranged the opponent to fight the wrong person.]

[This is hilarious! How could the group leader possibly play against the group runner-up?]

[SKT: I played second in the group?]

[EDG: Did I get first place in the group for nothing?]

Let me guess how many seconds it will take for Riot to retract the changes, but it doesn't matter. Riot will become a joke, the funniest joke of 2017.

[It's confirmed, Riot is a fan of G2.]

[Yes, I saw G2 bribe the Riot CEO last night.]

When the comment section was full of memes, the official LOL Twitter account immediately attached another tweet.

"Since EDG proactively chose SKT as their semi-final opponent, there is no problem with the schedule."

As soon as the tweet was released, the comment section exploded for the second time, reaching the sky.

[Oh my god, this is unbelievable. EDG, as the first place in the group, chose SKT, the second place in the group, as their opponent? ]

If this is true, I have to admire EDG's confidence and courage.

This will be the most explosive scene in the history of MSI.

"Originally, I had no interest in the semi-finals, but since you're like this, I'm sorry, I have no choice but to watch it on time."

[Betting on a glass of beer, let me think that this must be the decision made by Lin Shen.]

[I really like this arrogant guy. If EDG wins the game, I will become his most loyal believer.]

[Oh, it turns out EDG is G2's most loyal fan.]

Yes, you know, EDG gave their all to help G2 reach the finals and win the runner-up, setting a new record for the region.

G2 is already popping champagne.

[Dude, let me be frank, FW might actually be on.]

European fans should be very excited, but as a North American fan, my heart is broken.

[Yeah, I was counting on G2 getting eliminated in the semifinals, and now you're telling me they have a good chance of making it to the finals? Damn TSM for getting eliminated in the group stage!]

On the Korean Internet forum.

Many LCK fans were furious.

[Xiba, how can there be such a disgusting team. ]

[Thank you for expelling Nofe from the nationality, the guy who is seeking revenge.]

I knew he was still mad at us SKT.

We've suffered an unprecedented humiliation. If we lose to EDG in the semifinals, just swim back.

[Hey guys, don't lose this time. Please turn all your grief and anger into motivation!]

[You can look down on others after playing two group matches, huh.]

[Just wait, SKT in a BO5 will make EDG realize what it means to humiliate themselves. Our LCK will never be something that the championship-less LPL region can challenge.]

(End of this chapter)